Bukovniško jezero Lake

Bukovniško jezero is a lake in the far north-east of Slovenia, in the hills near the village of Kobilje, where the flat plain of Prekmurje begins to rise toward the Hungarian border. Unlike the glacial lakes of the Alps, it is an artificial lake, created by damming a stream to hold back floodwater and protect the villages downstream. Over time, the shoreline has acquired a natural look, with reeds, willows and woods reaching the water, and the lake has become a popular spot for recreation, especially for local families and for visitors from the nearby spa town of Moravske Toplice and across the border.

The lake is the focus of a small leisure area. A circular path around the water is easy to walk, and benches and picnic places are placed at the best views. Anglers use the lake, and birdwatchers find herons, ducks, grebes and other waterbirds, and in the surrounding meadows white storks are often seen feeding, a sight that is characteristic of Prekmurje, where nests on rooftops and poles are protected. The woods around the lake include chestnut and beech, along with oak and hornbeam, and they shelter amphibians and a good range of woodland plants, so the area is a quiet haven for nature lovers.

For active visitors, the Adventure Park Bukovniško jezero provides rope courses of different difficulty in the trees, as well as a range of sports equipment, so that children and adults can climb, swing and balance, and groups can spend half a day. The Pustolovski Park is popular with school groups and families in the warm months, and the Energijski Park has installations that invite visitors to explore Energy Points and Dragon lines, concepts from alternative beliefs about earth energy that are enjoyed as part of the playful side of the place. Scenic walking trails, including the route from Kobilje to the lake, link the villages with the shoreline.

The Chapel of St. Vid stands in the woods near the lake and is part of the same circuit, and Vid's kut is another corner of the forest worth a visit. The Stork Flight installation adds a further attraction. The lake is at its best in late spring, when the vegetation is fresh and the birds are nesting, and in autumn, when the trees turn colour. There is no entry fee for walking, but the adventure park has its own opening arrangements, so check before going.