Altitude is limited, but the beauty is abundant: at less than a thousand meters above sea level the Fusine Lakes are one of the many natural wonders of the Julian Alps, at the far northeastern tip of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Just a few kilometers from the Slovenian border, these two crystalline mirrors of glacial origin, the Lower Lake and the Upper Lake, are two basins that are separate yet united, in a somewhat mysterious way deep in the earth, by a system of underground waters that make them inseparable twins: the Upper Lake, at an elevation of 929 meters above sea level, feeds the Lower Lake, located five meters lower, in a kind of invisible embrace.
The lakes lie in a spectacular natural setting, a kind of natural amphitheater of rare scenic power: the bodies of water and the forests that surround them rise against the rocky walls of Mangart, a summit over 2600 meters tall that dominates the panorama, the Mezzodì Peak (2063 meters), the Stugova and the Veunza. A crown of elegant mountains that frame a place of rare beauty. The valley, included in the Fusine Lakes Natural Park since 1971 and immersed in the broader Three Borders Forest, which covers 24,000 hectares of territory across Italy, Austria and Slovenia.
Fusine Lakes: where they are and how to get there
The Fusine Lakes lie in Tarvisio, a municipality of only three thousand inhabitants against the region’s largest area among the municipalities of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, at the eastern tip of the region, on the Julian Alps. The border with Slovenia is just a stone’s throw away, but Austria is also in close proximity.
The nearest settlement to the lakes is Fusine in Valromana, easily reachable by car from Route 54, not far from Tarvisio’s motorway exit on the A23. Access to the final stretch of road that leads to the lakes, and thus to the nearest parking, is paid. Those who prefer not to pay, or simply want to lengthen the stroll, can leave their car before the toll and reach the first lake on foot in about twenty minutes along the picturesque Rio del Lago Trail, which runs along the stream of the same name through larches and red firs.
An alternative way to reach the Fusine Lakes is by bike, renting one in Tarvisio or bringing it along by train: the town is connected to the Venice-Vienna line.
What to do at the Fusine Lakes in spring
Spring is certainly a special moment to visit the Fusine Lakes, and not only because they are less crowded than in the summer months. The natural frame in which these two aquatic gems are embedded is spectacular in all seasons, but when the months of April, May, June arrive, one truly witnesses the proverbial spring awakening.
Snow melts on the summits of Mangart and the Ponze, feeding the lakes with fresh, crystal-clear waters. Vegetation begins to cover the trails with a tender, bright green and along the edges of the routes appear the first gentians, with their blue petals, then rhododendrons and, higher up and later, some edelweiss. Wildlife also awakens, as testified by raptors that fly in wide circles, standing out against the blue sky.
Given the mountainous context, the main activity to do at the Fusine Lakes is walking. Walking and looking, enjoying the spectacle of nature in its purest form.
The main stroll is the Lake Circuit, to be tackled following the circular route dedicated to it, about four kilometers long and with a minimal elevation to overcome. It is a walk accessible to all, designed also for families with children, and it takes about two hours at a relaxed pace. It starts from the Lower Lake, which has a gentler appearance, characterized by its blue and green hues, and it gradually climbs up to the Upper Lake, which is wilder and more open, with a large meadow that extends along the shore toward the mountains.
The path runs among fir roots, mossy rocks, and stretches more open from which one can enjoy memorable views. Around both lakes there are equipped areas with wooden tables and benches, placed at strategic points to enjoy the panorama.
It is important to remember that the lakes are not swimmable: diving and swimming are prohibited, a rule designed to preserve the ecosystem of this protected environment. There are, however, refreshment points: in spring the various hospitality establishments in the vicinity of both lakes begin to open, offering dishes typical of Friulian cuisine, here influenced by the nearby Slovenia.
Three excursions around the Fusine Lakes ideal for spring
The network of trails around the lakes offers itineraries for everyone, and the aforementioned wonders of Alpine spring invite you to roll up your sleeves and venture onto the paths.
The already mentioned Lake Circuit, with a detour to the so-called Small Lakes is the perfect option for a simple stroll, without real hiking difficulties. The classic loop that connects the Lower Lake and the Upper Lake, about four kilometers long, is enriched by a brief visit to two small bodies of water adjacent to the Lower Lake, often overlooked by hurried visitors. In spring the silence in this corner of the park is almost absolute, interrupted only by the rustle of trees and the placid movement of the water’s surface.
The Rifugio Zacchi is an ideal destination for any type of hiking experience: it can be reached with an easy walk, or also by mountain bike or e-bike, via a wide dirt track that climbs from the Fusine Lakes to the hut. The classic path to reach it, however, is the one marked by CAI signpost 512, which climbs through the undergrowth with a steady gradient. This route measures just under three kilometers one-way, with a 450-meter elevation gain, and takes about an hour and a half of walking. A third route, broader for more trained hikers, is the one that follows trail 514 to Malga Alpe del Lago and then 513 to the Refuge. This latter option takes a little more than two hours to reach the destination.
The Rifugio Zacchi, at an altitude of 1380 meters, sits at the foot of the rocky walls of the Ponze, Veunza and Mangart, the statuary peaks already visible from the Fusine Lakes. It is known for its cuisine, for its setting in a special context and because it is a starting point for further and more ambitious high-altitude hikes.
Finally, a beautiful hike is the one from the Fusine Lakes that leads to Sella Colrotondo, perfect for hikers who want to discover different perspectives on the valley. The route climbs from the valley floor along the lakes’ shores, then turns toward Alpe del Lago and climbs up to the panoramic Sella Colrotondo, then descends into the forest and reconnects with the trails of the lakes. It traverses very different environments: from the conifer forest that surrounds the water mirrors, to the beech forest toward Colrotondo, to the open clearings with views of the Mangart’s rocky walls.
