In the winter they freeze over, and a thick layer of snow buries them in solitude, but, starting in spring, things change. The snow melts, grass appears, and the lakes come back to life.

Climbers camp on their banks and the small, dragon like, alpine newts start swimming again. Many of these lakes dry out in the summer and have to patiently wait for the first autumn showers and the snow to start over, while others have water throughout the year.

The lakes are well hidden in the mountains in stunning settings. The only thing heard here is the quiet, interrupted by the wind and sometimes a sheep’s bell that is summering further down the mountain. It requires effort to reach most lakes, while some have dirt roads leading to them. Each one is unique and more than worth the effort to reach.

Tymfi Dragon Lake
The most famous alpine lake, also known as Dragon Lake, in the country is located up high, at 2,050 m altitude, just beneath the peak of Gamila on the Tymfi mountain range. It has a perimeter of about 5,000 m and its shape is elliptic. It’s located in the middle of a depression surrounded by tall rocks and hills. Not far from there, on the one side, stands the towering top of Gamila, while on the other side, there’s a cliff, with river Aoos in the distance, and across from it there is a mountain mass hiding Papigo. The Astraka refuge that overlooks the Xirolimni (a seasonal alpine lake), the canyons and the mountaintops is also close. Vegetation is scarce, alpine. Just a thin layer of grass, and that only in spring. The landscape is harsh and gentle at the same time, but most of all, it’s breath-taking.

more at travel.gr

also read

Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn sues YouTube star Jake Paul for $100,000 million for defamation