The (temporary) magic of the Emerald Lake

I think I’ve traveled much and seen quite a few places. And of all places I’ve been to, one has a special place in my heart – and what irony – it’s only a two hour drive away from my hometown 🙂 Welcome to Tragöß, a sleepy village somewhere in the alps of Styria! This village hosts a treasure in the back country, which is simply called “Grüner See” (literally “Emerald lake”). The name says it all. About two years ago, when I went there for the first time, not many people knew of it. There was no tourist buses, horse carriages or those amounts of scuba divers yet. This time I even met backpackers from overseas. Although a lot of things have changed, the magic is still there for several reasons: It’s the surreal blue, turquoise and green that changes with the weather and the time of the day. It’s the depth that changes throughout the year, from its highest level in early summer until it almost disappears in autumn (due to melt water, which is the only source of the lake). And it’s those breathtaking sceneries of steep mountain slopes, green forests and crystal-clear ponds – creating a peaceful harmony between all elements. And while all that is hard to describe in words, I’ll stop talking and hope you’re enjoying these photos. And nope, I didn’t use any filters or photoshop (I only corrected the exposure and did some minor adjustments here and there 😉 ) But basically this is all done by nature!

Do you have a “hidden” gem near you that’s worth seeing? I’d love to read your comments!

Useful information and directions:

The lake starts to fill up in early spring and reaches its peak from late May to late June. The easiest way to get there is by car – driving from Vienna will take about two hours, from Graz only 1 hour 15 minutes. Parking is available for a small fee. Another way is by public transportation, but you’ll need more time and accurate planning: The nearest railway station is Bruck an der Mur which lies on the main railway line between Vienna and Graz. From Bruck an der Mur there are buses to Tragöß but they run infrequently (especially during weekends and holidays) and once you get off at the last stop Tragöß Oberort, you’ll have to walk another 45 minutes to get to the lake. Check timetables here for further planning.

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Find an updated version of this article with a more detailed guide on wearetravelgirls.

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Further readings:

Achensee – Lake. Mountains. Good happens.

Nothing touches us like the untouched

Through the Bluntau Valley