I’ll take you to Lake Faak, the turquoise lake in Carinthia where dragonflies tell about the health of the water

There are places that conquer for a panorama. Others for the way they manage to bring nature to life. During our trip to the Villach – Faaker See – Ossiacher See region in southern Carinthia, we expected turquoise lakes, mountains and hiking trails. We found them. But what really struck us was the way in which each element seems to contribute to the same idea of ​​territory.

Here Austria, Italy and Slovenia meet in a few kilometers and share much more than a border. Mobility, accessibility, nature trails and services interact with each other, inviting you to explore the landscape at a different pace. This, even before the views, was the real discovery of the trip.

The dragonflies told us about Lake Faak

It was Lake Faak that welcomed us. As the canoe slowly glided through the reeds, however, our attention was caught by dozens of dragonflies. They skimmed the water, rested on the vegetation and seemed to accompany our path. For those who love nature, it is difficult not to stop and observe them.

Dragonflies are not only among the most fascinating insects to observe. They are also precious allies of aquatic ecosystems and important bioindicators of water quality. They spend much of their life cycle in an aquatic environment and are particularly sensitive to habitat changes: when they are present in abundance, they often tell of a healthy ecosystem rich in biodiversity. In a certain sense, they are among the first “sentinels” of the health of a lake.

Faaker See is famous for its stunning turquoise colour, but its beauty goes beyond what you see. Motor boats are not allowed here and the silence is broken almost only by the noise of the paddles, the wind in the reeds and the flight of dragonflies. It is at that moment that the lake stops being a postcard and reveals itself for what it really is: a living ecosystem, where every detail tells of the delicate balance between human beings and nature.

Experience nature, without remaining spectators

One of the things that struck us most is that nature here does not seem to be something to be observed from a distance. Paths, lakes, cycle paths and protected areas continually invite you to experience it, but always with attention to ecosystems. It is a philosophy that we find throughout the area and which transforms the landscape into part of the experience.

The same vision also emerges in accessibility. Carinthia dedicates an entire portal to barrier-free places, bringing together accessible paths, lakes, accommodation facilities and activities. We have also seen it along Lake Faak, with piers, facilitated access and aids for entering the water, but also in some infrastructures of the Dobratsch Nature Park. Here accessibility is not an additional service, but a way to allow more people to experience nature.

A card that opens the doors to the territory

Those who stay in participating accommodations receive the Erlebnis CARD free of charge, a guest card that allows you to participate in numerous guided experiences throughout the year and to use various mobility services, including Carinthia’s S-Bahn regional trains, the Dobratsch Nature Park bus and some bus lines. Bike buses are available at a discounted rate. A service that makes it easy to explore a different place every day without depending on the car.

The bicycle is part of the landscape

Here cycling is not just a sport. It is one of the most natural ways to move between lakes, woods and small towns. The cycle paths integrate with buses and trains, while the lake.bike project offers itineraries dedicated to mountain bikes, gravel bikes and racing bikes for those who want more challenging routes.

While pedaling we realized that the way we observe the territory also changes. You stop more easily in front of a panorama, but also in front of details that would go unnoticed in a car. Like those little stalls along the road where you can buy fruit, vegetables or flowers by leaving your money in a box. A simple gesture, which speaks of the relationship of trust with the territory at least as much as a beautiful panorama.

More than a destination, a different way of experiencing nature

At the end of the trip we realized that it wasn’t the color of Lake Faak, the view from the Dobratsch or a single trail that made this region special. It was the way in which each element seemed to contribute to the same idea of ​​travel: cycle paths connecting lakes and towns, campsites surrounded by nature, accessible routes, integrated public transport and constant attention to ecosystems.

Thinking back to those days, however, the first memory remains that of the dragonflies above the reeds. Without knowing it, they had already told us everything: when an ecosystem is in balance, nature finds a way to communicate it. And if you decide to leave, there is one last thing you will probably appreciate: probably due to the proximity, finding someone who speaks Italian is much easier than we imagined.