Italy's Mountain Lake With Crystal Clear Water Is A Picturesque Escape From Summer Crowds

It can be very hard to get away from the large crowds that flock to Italy during the summer months. However, if you trade the packed coast and islands in the south for the mountains and the lakes in the north, you will find peaceful, picturesque spots. Lago del Predil is one of them, and it's worth adding to your vacation itinerary.

Lago del Predil is a glacial lake with clear, cold water. It is the second-largest natural lake in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, an autonomous region that covers the far northeast corner of Italy. The Dolomites are the first mountain range that comes to mind in this area. This range is known for its breathtaking natural swimming pools and towns, such as Corvara, which offers tasty food, friendly locals, and scenic hikes. But even that part of the Italian Alps attracts a lot of people. You have to head into the nearby Julian Alps, which stretch across Tarvisio, Italy, into Slovenia near the Austrian border, to truly escape. The lesser-known Julian Alps are full of high alpine valleys, rugged mountains, and dense forests. The Predil Pass, a high mountain road, connects the two countries, and Lago del Predil is tucked along this pass.

Lago del Predil sits just south of Cave del Predil. The tiny hamlet, a former lead-and-zinc-mining community, is now home to less than 300 people. Tarvisio, a family-friendly ski resort, is a 15-minute drive north. Slovenia's Lake Bled, a stunning European destination for a lakeside couples vacation, is less than an hour's drive to the east. While Slovenia's capital, Ljubljana, and its international airport (LJU) with connections all over Europe, is only one hour and 20 minutes away. It feels like Lago del Predil is hidden right in plain sight.

Regardless of whether you are driving the Predil Pass from Cave del Predil or Slovenia, you will approach the lake near its northern tip. There is a free parking lot next to Chalet Al Lago, a rustic restaurant with a large terrace overlooking the blue-green water. A small island, dotted with pine trees, is in the middle of the water. Thick forests and white-pebble beaches line the shore. Jagged, snowcapped Cinque Punte and Cima del Lago stand in the background. Your first glimpse of Lago del Predil will surely take your breath away.

During the summer, there are plenty of water sports on Lago del Predil. On the lake's west bank, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. The windy mountains make this a perfect area for kitesurfing and windsurfing, as well. Fishermen tend to appear on the shore at sunrise and sunset. You can also go swimming, though only the most daring travelers are able to withstand the shockingly cold water. Lago del Predil is a glacial lake, after all.

If it is too chilly to get wet, you can also hike around the perimeter of the lake. Giro del Lago del Predil is a 3.5-mile loop trail that takes about two hours to complete. It passes the Forte del Lago Predil, an Austrian fort built in the 1880s to defend the road down to Tarvisio, on the west side of the lake, while Sella Predil, its artillery battery, was built into the mountain on the east side of the lake. Another popular trail, the Cave del Predil – Lago del Predil loop, descends through the woods and into the village. Snowshoers also follow this loop during the winter months. While winter retains its charm, Lago del Predil is the key to a picturesque summer escape.