The Predil Lake (also known as the Raibl lake) is situated near the Slovenian border about 10 km south of the town of Tarvisio, Italy in an ancient glacial valley. Its waters are clear and cold, of a deep green-blue colour. The lake is surrounded with beautiful mountains and peaks. Not adapt for swimming in the summer but wonderful for walkers who love a peaceful nature. The lake also has good facilities to canoe or wind surf.
The lake has a small island, a relict of a partly destroyed and partly submerged moraine arc, creates a very fascinating and mysterious landscape that has produced many legends. One of these is the Legend of the Lake: “Once upon a time, in the place where the lake lies, there was a nice verdant valley with a populated and rich town. But the inhabitants were insensitive and hardhearted. In a dark and cold winter night, while the people were safe in their warm homes, a young woman carrying her little son arrived in the town begging in vain for a shelter. Only after long wandering she was welcomed warmly by a humble family. In the night a storm, earthquakes and rain hit the town, creating the Predil lake and sparing only the small house where the merciful family lived. The woman and her child (the Virgin and the Holy Child) had disappeared. They say that the remains on the island in the Northern part of the lake are those of that very house.”
Predil Lake is located a little less than an hour drive from the Bled area. Just drive to the town of Tarvisio (Italy), from where the lake can be accessed easily by driving in the direction of Bovec, Slovenia. After passing the village of Cave del Predil, choose the direction to Sella Nevea on the T-crossing. Almost directly on your left hand is the Predil Lake, with the back drop of the Julian Alps. The nearby mines and the Predil Mountain Pass are also interesting attractions to visit.
Lake Predil with the Cinque Punte mountain in the background.
Lake Predil has a small island.
View of the Predil lake from the Predil mountain pass. (Image by Doremo / CC BY-SA 3.0)
The Rio del Lago valley with the Predil lake and the town of Cave del Predil from the Jerebica mountain. (Image by JakobZ / CC BY-SA 3.0)
View of the Predil lake from the restaurant next to the lake. (Image by Stefan Leijon / CC BY-ND 2.0)
The frozen Lake Predil in winter with the Cinque Punte mountain in the background. (Image by Johann Jaritz / CC BY-SA 3.0)
Location:
Lago del Predil Lake address: Strada Provinciale 76, 33018 Tarvisio UD, Italy
Lago del Predil Lake parking place Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.42489, 13.56588
Lago del Predil Lake parking place GPS coordinates: 46° 24′ 34.9740” N 13° 32′ 22.5600” E
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay to Lake Predil (drive 57 km, 55 minutes)
Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to Lake Predil (drive 66 km, 58 minutes)
