1- Lakes of Fusine
They consist of two lakes, the Upper Lake and the Lower Lake. Located on the territory of the municipality of Tarvisio, they are considered among the most beautiful examples of an alpine lake. The lakes of glacial origin, connected to each other by easy paths, are well inserted within a dense spruce forest and placed at the base of the mountain range of the Mount Mangart Group. The environment, where many typical animals and plants live, is transformed according to the seasons: nature paints the woods and lakes with unique shades, making this site even more magical. In winter, the area of the lakes of Fusine is one of the coldest places in the whole Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, and the minimum temperatures of Italy are often recorded there. The lakes have had a certain recent celebrity at national level, because various scenes of the movie La ragazza del lago, by Andrea Molaioli (2007).
2- Predil lake
The Lake del Predil is located in the municipality of Tarvisio, near the town of Cave del Predil and the Passo del Predil, from which it takes its name. The Predil (or Raibl) lake is the second largest lake in the region after the Cavazzo lake. The waters are clear and cold, of an intense green-blue color; a small island, the wreck of a moraine arch partly destroyed, partly submerged, creates a very suggestive landscape. The legend tells that once there was a village instead of the lake. The inhabitants were insensitive people and during a cold winter night they refused to host a woman and a child who had come from afar. Only a poor family offered a roof and cared for their mother and child. The next morning the lake had covered the whole village, except for a small island with the hospitable family's house, while the woman and the boy had disappeared. A nautical-bathing establishment was built on the lake with a beach area, nautical equipment (rowing and sailing boats, pedal boats, surf bikes, kayaks), games for children and a windsurfing school
3- Bordaglia lake
The Bordaglia lake, located on the bottom of a basin of glacial origin among the pastures below the slope of Mount Volaia, is located inside the Bordaglia Oasis, the largest oasis of fauna refuge in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Surrounded by woods of larch and pine trees, it has a rather varied flora, with protected species such as gentians and a precious variety of orchids. it is rich in shrub vegetation in which the black woodpecker, the black-collared blackbird and groups of cruises find shelter. At the edges of the open areas, deers can be encountered, while chamois graze higher up. Its coasts also host the capercaillie, the rock ptarmigan and the mountain francolin which, together with the stoats and marmot colonies, are all victims of the silent ambushes of the lynx or golden eagle. On the way to Lake Bordaglia you will discover the source of the Goccia di Carnia mineral water.
4- Volaia lake
Lake Volaia is a splendid alpine lake immersed in an uncontaminated mountain landscape of extraordinary beauty. On the two opposite sides of the lake two refuges look towards each other: the Austrian and the Italian. The lake is located at an altitude of 1951 meters above sea level and occupies an area of 3.8 hectares, filling a sinkhole deeply remodeled by the Volaia glacier during the last ice age. The water catchment area is about 60 hectares. The western shore of the lake slopes gently, while the eastern one is decidedly steeper. The point of maximum depth reaches 13.9 m, but in two thirds of the lake the depth remains less than 5 m. The emissaries are underground and feed two fountains: one in Austrian territory, the other in Italy, downstream of the Lambertenghi-Romanin refuge.
5-Sauris Lake
Sauris lake is a lake of artificial origin located near Sauris, at 977 meters above sea level. This lake is a real pearl immersed in a landscape setting to be discovered. The lake is periodically emptied and when this happens it is possible to see the remains of the village that once existed instead of the body of water. You can go fishing or have fun with canoes and windsurfing. In the area you can take many suggestive walks. The splendid resort of Sauris is well worth a visit, famous for the high quality of its hams, speck and beer
6- Verzegnis Lake
Verzegnis lake is a lovely artificial lake surrounded by greenery. It was created by SADE in 1957 by blocking the flow to the Ambiesta stream to power the Somplago hydroelectric power station. In the area it is possible to undertake various excursions.
7- Lake of Cavazzo
The largest of the Friulian natural lakes (6500 meters long) bathes with its waters the territory of three municipalities, Cavazzo Carnico, Bordano and Trasaghis, and offers tourists the opportunity to engage in a wide range of outdoor activities. Also called the "lake of the three municipalities", it is fed both artificially and by natural underground springs, which are real craters up to 2 meters wide. Rich is the fish fauna, as well as the flora and avifauna. Ancient legends tell that the lake was formed with the tears of the sky that came down in the form of rain. The valley of the lake of Cavazzo was once crossed by a branch of the Tagliamento river. During the last glaciations the depression occupied by the lake and the cordon of conglomerates that separates the lake from the Tagliamento valley to the north has formed. Its main source of water was formed by the two meter wide pools placed on the seabed. Today the waters of the artificial basin of the Ambiesta or Verzegnis are poured into the lake, after a tunnel journey of about 8,500 meters. Emissario is an artificial canal that brings its waters to the Leale torrent after having also traveled a long underground section. The waters reach very low temperatures (constant 10 ° C) and cause the temperature of the waters of the whole lake to drop and a significant impoverishment of the fauna and flora. On Lake Cavazzo it is possible to practice fishing and other water sports such as rowing, windsurfing, sailing, or even just taking a swim in its waters. Boats can be rented too. The area is full of nature trails and cycle paths. For those who want to relax surrounded by nature, Cavazzo offers areas in which to stop for a picnic in the shade of the trees
8- Lake of Cornino
Located in the Lago di Cornino natural reserve, this lake (formed 10,000 years ago) is characterized by beautiful blue-green waters. The Cornino lake measures 140 m in length and 8 m in depth and has neither emissaries nor emissaries, but the underground water circulation is such as to allow a rapid exchange of water, from which derives the transparency and constant temperature of the water in the whole year (8 ° C). The nature reserve of Lake Cornino represents one of the most interesting environments in the entire Alpine arc for the observation of birds of prey, including griffins, creating excellent opportunities for birdwatching. There are numerous trekking routes in the area.
9- Ragogna lake
Ragogna lake, the last intermorainic basin in the region, is of glacial origin. Formed 12,000 years ago, it is characterized by an elliptical shape, with a diameter of 700 m and a depth ranging from 9 to 10 m. Extremely interesting from a naturalistic and environmental point of view, the Ragogna lake is one of the few lakes where the "water chestnut" (Trapa natans) still grows. Surrounded by sheltered groves consisting of alders, poplars and willows, reeds, peat bogs and wet meadows, it is very important from a wildlife point of view: it is a transit center for migratory birds, such as mallard, coot, marzaiola, moorhen, gray heron, dip, great crested grebe, strolaga, mute swan, bittern, black-tailed duck (Aythya fuligula), making it an ideal place for birdwatching. Even the fish fauna is particularly rich; there are chub, carp, tench, pike, perch, rudder, perch sun. Not far from the lake stands the Jewish cemetery with the oldest tomb dated 1742.
10- Lake of Tramonti
The Redona lake, also called "Tramonti lake", is an artificial lake built by blocking the Meduna river, near the Mount Racli: its capacity was 23 million cubic meters of water. The construction of the lake has submerged the villages of Flors, Movàada and Redona which, in dry periods, emerge as skeletons to witness the past. There are plenty of scenic trails and the opportunity to go fishing in the lake
11- Barcis Lake
The artificial lake of Barcis, located in the heart of Valcellina, welcomes visitors with the bright green of its waters and offers everyone a world of fun possibilities. The lake is a stone's throw from the Cellina Gorge Nature Reserve and the Prescudin Forest. On the Barcis lake it is possible to practice many sports: sailing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking, hovercraft, motor boating (Barcis hosts an international competition of this discipline), scuba diving. Do not miss the opportunity to engage in free-climbing, caving and paragliding. Barcis offers a myriad of naturalistic excursions and cycle paths for mountain bikers and the opportunity to fish, or simply to treat yourself to a pleasant stop for a picnic.
12- Doberdò and Pietrarossa lakes
In Friuli Venezia Giulia there are only two karst lakes: the Doberdò lake and the Pietrarossa lake, both belonging to the homonymous natural reserve located in the province of Gorizia. The area is characterized by two large karst depressions partially filled by lakes and separated by a limestone ridge. The Doberdò lake is one of the few examples in Europe of a karst lake-pond. The level of its waters changes continuously and depends on the flow of the Vipacco and Isonzo rivers. The springs are located in the western sector of the lake. In the eastern sector, however, the sinkholes are located. During the lean periods, the level of the Vipacco and the Isonzo drops to such an extent that the lake surface is reduced to circular pools of a few meters
