SK, Orava: Puchmajerove Lake – Natural Gem Among Trees

Slowly soon and warm days approach. There is no better relax than to go somewhere out for a walk in nature . This time our goal was to get to Puchmajerove Lake.

Route to Lake

The beginning of our hike was in the picturesque Oravian village Hrustin, where we went along an asphalt-granite road and yellow tourist trail to Vasilovska Hole. On our way we passed by an old and at the present not operating quarry. We visited an offroad event called Hrustin Prevodovka .

After a while of pondering about our experiences we continued. After we arrived at Vasilovska Hole where even a popular ski resort is located, we moved along non marked tourist trail to the forest. Our final destination was a 1139 meters high Mincol Vrch (individual tourist trail leading to Mincol is marked by a blue tourist trail). In this part of the road you have to have your eyes wide open for one of the trees there is a board with “C zone – an area of European importance” written on it. There you turn left and several minutes later you will get to the lake. From the top of Vasilovska Hole to the lake it takes about 45 minutes. Even children will take it with no difficulty. You can get to Vasilovska Hole by car as well, but beware road closures! Acces to the lake is even from Kubinska Hole as it is located on the lake’s north slope..

Meeting natural beauty

Puchmajerove Lake charmed us at the first glimpse. Beautiful clear water and fallen trees in it. Around, high grass grows. In forests sun rays are crossed by flying insects. All these natural plays put some magic at this place. The whole area around the lake was very wet and thus was an ideal marshland. Mostly, boggy vegetation thrives there. We enjoyed wathicn it.

It was interesting for us to learn that the lake is located in the area where is the spring of the Hrustin creek. The place is located on 1200 meters. Despite its small area, 0.1 hectares, the lake is 5-6 meters deep. Since 1976 it is part of Protected Landscape Area of Horni Orava (there is the 4th level of protection). It belongs to the Natura 2000 complex of areas. It is exceptional for the fact that there are minimal traces of human influence. And that you can observe here preserved original ecosystem.

As we had learned later, the lake is of another than jast natural importance. Locals tell legens about it. Such as a boat baggage emerged on it or that an ox cart loaded with hay sunk there. Also that a girl cried there and that she died before the wedding and transformed to a fairy ... We did not see any or any other of these phenomena. Regardless the truth, this is a magnificent piece of native land worth visiting.

Text and photo: Oskár Mažgút

The author of the article as well as Infoglobe’s editorial staff are not responsible for any damage or injury inflicted on a reader caused by movement in terrain with limited access areas in protected nature. In his or her own interest a reader is required to check the most recent information of movement in protected nature and plan a trek accordingly or avoid such a trek altogether. Such areas ought to be accessed only with qualified personnel or with an authorized permission.