Greece’s alpine lakes
Climbers camp on their banks and the small, dragon like, alpine newts start swimming again. Many of these lakes dry out in the summer and have to patiently wait for the first autumn showers and the snow to start over, while others have water throughout the year.
The lakes are well hidden in the mountains in stunning settings. The only thing heard here is the quiet, interrupted by the wind and sometimes a sheep’s bell that is summering further down the mountain. It requires effort to reach most lakes, while some have dirt roads leading to them. Each one is unique and more than worth the effort to reach.
The most famous alpine lake, also known as a Dragon Lake, in the country is located up high, at 2,050 m altitude, just beneath the peak of Gamila on the Tymfi mountain range. It has a perimeter of about 5,000 m and its shape is elliptic. It’s located in the middle of a depression surrounded by tall rocks and hills. Not far from there, on the one side, stands the towering top of Gamila, while on the other side, there’s a cliff, with river Aoos in the distance, and across from it there is a mountain mass hiding Papigo. The Astraka refuge that overlooks the Xirolimni (a seasonal alpine lake), the canyons and the mountaintops is also close. Vegetation is scarce, alpine. Just a thin layer of grass, and that only in spring. The landscape is harsh and gentle at the same time, but most of all, it’s breath-taking.
It’s the largest alpine lake in Greece, located at the highest elevation, at 2,350 m on the Grammos mountain range, on the borders with Albania. It lies on a depression surrounded by mountaintops. It’s not very deep and the bottom is covered in grey stones. The landscape is stripped-down here too, with just a bit of greenery in spring, when the snow melts. Here the snow season lasts longer. In the winter, it freezes over, and it is not accessible until at least the middle of spring. Within the steep rocky landscape, as you climb the mountain, Gistova is a revelation, a very unexpected surprise.
You’ll reach it after quite some hiking, in the heart of Smolikas, at 2,200 m altitude, where the mountain turns green only in the spring. It’s the second largest alpine lake in the country, with a perimeter of about 4.000-6.000 metres. It’s quite deep, though the exact depth has not yet been measured, and its shape is irregular, resembling a heart, while there’s a small opening on one side creating a stream that falls off the cliff. The view from the lake is limited, but if you climb a few steps higher you’ll see an endless field of mountaintops spreading in front of you. Its waters are usually bright blue, that’s why the Vlachs call it “Lakou-Vinitu” that means blue lake, however, near the banks, the bottoms turns red. Mostly during spring, apart from the green grass, you’ll also see lilies, wild orchids and violets growing around the lake.
It’s probably one of the most beautiful alpine settings. In spring, everything is covered in green with small yellow and purple flowers, streams and small waterfalls, making it, together with the alpine lake, a unique scenery. The lake is above the village Chaliki, near the Aspropotamos springs, the source of river Acheloos, on mount Lakmos, at 2,050 m altitude. Vringa in the Vlach language means circle, thought the lake is not exactly circular it has this name because it swirls and eddies, creating beautiful formations. You’ll come across campers and herds of sheep spending the summer in the mountains, and if you’re wondering how you’ll get there, don’t worry, there’s a road that gets very close to the spot, and then you need to hike for a bit. The hike there, even though tiresome, is magnificent, it’s truly a masterpiece of nature.
With their pristine waters, dramatic landscapes, and rich biodiversity, these hidden gems are perfect for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Exploring these alpine wonders is not just a journey through stunning trails but also a chance to experience a lesser-known side of Greece that few have the pleasure of discovering.