Grüner See

Grüner See is a lake located in the Austrian province of Styria in the community of Tragöß-Sankt Katharein. Pribitz (1,579 m), Meßnerin (1,835 m), and Trenchtling (Hochturm) (2,081 m), three mountains that are all a part of the Hochschwab Mountains, surround the lake. Its emerald-green water gave rise to the moniker "Green Lake." The 6-7 °C water is clear and clean and produced by the karst mountains' snowfall. The lake is just 1-2 m deep in the winter, and the region around it serves as a county park.

The Hochschwab Mountains and dense bluish trees encircle the deep emerald-green lake known as Grüner See. The lake deepens and becomes more colorful in the spring when the snow melts and washes off the mountain and into it. At this point, divers arrive to discover trees, bridges, and even a bench beneath the water.

As the waters rise, they swallow the surrounding region and rise above 12 meters, even over the resting benches in the park, giving the lake its characteristic color. The grass and vegetation beneath reveal their vibrant green through due to the waters' clarity.

The lake partially dries up in the winter when the waters freeze and retreat, with the deepest portions only one meter deep. The lake is beyond limits for sporting events due to its small size and delicate environment. Trails crisscross about in search of picturesque photo ops, but the action is on the coastlines.

Location: Tragöß, Styria, Austria