Grüner See

The Grüner See (literally "Blue Lake") is a deep emerald green lake surrounded by the Hochschwab Mountains and greenish dense forests. When the snow melts down the mountain and into the lake in spring, the lake deepens and becomes more vibrant. This is where divers come to see underwater bridges, trees, and even a bench. In fact, this is why the lake has a special color: when the water rises, they swallow the surrounding area, more than 12 meters high, even surpassing the rest of the park benches. Because the water is so clear, the grass and foliage below give off their bright green color. In winter, when the water freezes and recedes, the lake partially dries out, with the deepest areas just one meter deep. Because of its small size and fragile ecosystem, the lake has no limits for sporting activities. The action here is on the coast, as trails zigzag around for good photo spots.

Grüner See is located in Styria - Austria, about 80 km from the provincial capital Graz. This natural gem belongs to the municipality of Tragöß-Sankt Kathrein and is beautifully hidden among the majestic mountains of Pribitz, Trenchtling, and Meßnerin. Really impressive is the crystal clear, jade green water, coming from the melting snow in spring. With a temperature of only 4 to 6 degrees, the lake is as cold as ice, and not suitable for refreshment, because swimming or diving in Blue Lake has not been allowed for several years for the sake of nature protection. Along the way, you'll find plenty of benches and nice places to picnic and snack. Whether it's spring, summer, autumn, or winter, a trip to the Grüner See in any season is worth it, making it an indispensable name on the list of best lakes to visit in Austria.

• Location: Styria, Austria
• Altitude: 776m
• Max water depth: 12m