Zelenci

Zelenci is a small nature reserve in the upper Sava valley, between Kranjska Gora and Rateče, and it is known for a lake of extraordinary colour. The water is a vivid turquoise-green, fed by springs that well up through the sandy bottom, and in calm weather the surface mirrors the surrounding spruce forest and the peaks beyond. The name comes from the Slovene word for green, and it is easy to see why. The reserve also marks the source of the Sava Dolinka, one of the two headwaters of the Sava, the longest river in Slovenia, which flows from here eastward toward Ljubljana and eventually the Danube.

The springs are what makes the place. Cold, clear water rises from below, and in places the fine sand at the bottom is stirred by the upwelling so that it appears to boil. The temperature of the water stays low throughout the year, so the lake rarely freezes completely, and the surroundings include a marsh, wet meadows and patches of fen vegetation. These habitats are home to a rich variety of plants and animals, including dragonflies, amphibians and birds, and the area is protected as a nature reserve and as part of the Natura 2000 network. Because the vegetation is fragile, access is limited to marked routes.

Visiting is easy. A short path from the car park crosses a wooden boardwalk and leads to an observation platform and a viewing tower, from which the lake and the surrounding meadows are visible with the Karavanke range to the north and the Julian Alps to the south. The walk takes no more than half an hour for most people, so it is suitable for families, older visitors and those on a stopover. Information boards along the route explain the geology and ecology, and the reserve is a good place to practise slow, quiet observation.

Zelenci fits naturally into a day around Kranjska Gora. Lake Jasna lies a short drive to the south, the Martuljek Waterfalls are accessible with a longer walk, and the Skiing and Snowboarding Areas of the town are busy in winter. In autumn, the larches and birches around the lake turn yellow, and in winter the surrounding snow gives the water an even sharper colour. Early morning gives the best light and the fewest visitors.