Overview
Upstream of Tarvisio along provincial road 76 and a few steps from the Slovenian border, Lake Predil (or Raibl) covers an ancient glacial basin. It is fed by numerous streams flowing down from the surrounding mountains, giving the waters intense green-blue colours. In winter, the Predil freezes over, but in summer you can sunbathe and enjoy a swim.
The walk along the shores of the lake takes about two and a half hours. Mule tracks among beech and fir trees lead to ruins of military constructions and small creeks overlooked by the peaks of the Cinque Punte, which reach a height of 1909 metres. The final part of the trail passes between mountain pines, and leads to a waterfall that serves as an ice climbing wall in winter.
A local legend has it that where the lake now stands there was a village long ago, inhabited by unselfish people. On a harsh winter night, no one seemed willing to accommodate a woman and child travelling from afar. Only one family took in, lovingly caring for the mother and child. The next morning the lake had covered everything except a small island with the house of the hospitable family. The woman and child were missing.
