Bogatinsko sedlo-Lepena-Dompri Krnskih jezerih

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake

Very popular route in the heart of Julian Alps with the scenic lake and colorful alpine flora. The trail to the Krn lake starts at the end of the Lepena valley, by the mountain hut Dom dr. Klementa Juga.

The first part of the path is comfortable, as the gentle path winds through the forests which in summer months provide the much-needed shade. After that part the slope eases and in 15 minutes you hike to the Koča pri Krnskih jezerih mountain hut. You continue a short hike across the Duplje pasture, where the cheese and homemade cottage is sold. In the surroundings you'll find a smaller Duplje lake.

Krn lake, 400 m long and 17 m deep, is the largest high-altitude lake in Slovenia. It lies at an altitude of 1391 m. The lake fills the glacier-shaped depression at the foot of Krn which can best be viewed from the lake shore.

There are 40 plant species living in the water ecosystem, which are mostly algae, and 24 species of lower animals, among which small crayfish prevail. Bathing is not allowed in the lake in order to preserve the ecosystem.

The surroundings of the lake are full of vividly colourful alpine flowers, among which endangered species, such as the yellow Kerner Alpine Poppy (P. alpinum subsp. kerneri), aconite (Aconitum angustifolium) and white cottongrass (Eriophorum scheuchzeri) thrive.