As a lover of everything under the sea, nothing appeals to me more than an unknown universe buried underwater. But what if I tell you, you can also encounter a well-known landscape under still waters of a lake? Nestled in the snow-capped Hochschwab mountains in Styria, Austria, is a stunning hiking path shrouded in greenery, but in the summers, you have to swim underwater to catch a glimpse of it. Why? Because come summers, the area gets flooded up to 11 metres by the melting snow from the surrounding mountains. This is then known as the Grüner See or the Green Lake. So, don’t be astonished if you find yourselves in completely distinct settings at the same spot but at different times of the year.  

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tadej (@tadejcabraja) on Oct 27, 2019 at 2:24pm PDT

Benches, trails, tree trunks and even footbridges are enveloped under the seemingly emerald green waters. In reality, the water gets its colour from the greenery hidden within. It is remarkable to see the natural phenomenon create an entire setting underwater. The frigid water lends sharp visibility, up to nearly 49 metres! 

As human nature dictates, many people have flocked to the spot and made it a rather popular diving spot. Unfortunately, it is in the best interest of the lake’s beauty that humans keep themselves out of the water. The human activity stirs up the sediment, potentially polluting the lake’s colour. In 2016, thus, the tourism department banned all water sports in the area—swimming, diving or boating. 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dawid K (@2ride_and_2dive) on Oct 17, 2019 at 12:49am PDT

 Nevertheless, the lake is still a picturesque spot to witness. And if you still long for a sight of the magic underneath, the internet has more than enough documentation of the landscape. 

In winters, when the water levels are low, the park is frequented by those who wish to go on hikes, picnics or just stop for a visit. Should you feel the urge to see the lake, not the park, you can check the water levels on the park’s website. Additionally, Lake Zenz is another waterbody only 10 minutes by car, if you feel the urge to dip your feet in the water.