Silent Lake (Falski tajhti)

Pohorje is the broad, rounded mountain range that rises above the Drava valley in northeastern Slovenia, and it differs from the Alps in almost every respect. Instead of limestone peaks, it is built mainly of crystalline and igneous rocks, such as granite and tonalite, which weather into acidic, nutrient-poor soils, and instead of bare summits it has long forested ridges, damp meadows and, in the high hollows, peat bogs and small ponds. The Silent Lake, known locally as Falski tajhti, is a small body of water of this kind in the forests near Šumik, on the Pohorje slopes above Lovrenc and Ruše. The second part of the local name is a dialect word. Tajht, in the speech of Štajerska, comes from the German Teich and simply means a pond, so the name can be read as the ponds, or lake, of the Fala area.

The lake is small and quiet, as its English name suggests. It sits in woodland, surrounded by spruce and beech, and its still, dark water reflects the trees and sky. Because the geology is acidic and the surroundings are forested, ponds like this often have tea-coloured water from the tannins released by leaves and peat, which gives them a dark, mirror-like surface. In the early morning, mist can lie on the water, and the sound of birdsong is the only noise. It is not a tourist site with facilities, a ticket office or a cafe, and that is its appeal. Visitors should expect a rustic experience, take their own water and food and carry out all litter.

The lake is best reached on foot as part of a walk through the forests near Šumik. Waymarked trails cross the area, and many walkers combine the lake with the better-known Šumik Waterfall Trail, which leads to the Veliki Šumik Waterfall, and with the Lobnica Primeval Forest, an old-growth woodland in the same valley. Other places to see nearby include the Lobnica Stream and the Partisan hospital Jesen, a reminder of the Second World War in these mountains. Paths can be wet and muddy, so waterproof footwear is advisable, and trail conditions change with the seasons. Do not swim in the lake, because it is a protected natural habitat, and keep to the paths to avoid trampling sensitive vegetation.

Check access and trail conditions before setting out, and tell someone your plan. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for walking, and early morning is the best time for atmosphere.

The lake suits walkers and photographers.