Jezersko

Jezersko sits in a high basin at the northern end of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, closed by the Seeberg pass into Austria, and its name means the lake place: a glacial lake filled the basin and began to drain after an earthquake in 1348, though Valvasor still described it as a large lake in 1689, and its bed is the flat meadow floor the village stands on. A small lake, Planšarsko jezero, was made later on part of the bed. The valley has its own sheep breed, the Jezersko-Solčava, and paths climb from it into the Kočna and Grintovec cirques.

History

The area takes its name from a glacial lake near Zgornje Jezersko that began to drain after an earthquake in 1348, though Valvasor still described it as a large lake in 1689. Its German name Seeland is first recorded, as Seelant, in 1496, and the Slovene name Jezersko came into use at the end of the 19th century (Wikipedia, Municipality of Jezersko).

Highlights

• The flat basin floor - the bed of the old glacial lake.
• Planšarsko jezero - a small made lake on part of the old bed, with a walking circuit.
• The Kamnik-Savinja wall - the Kočna and Grintovec cirques closing the head of the valley.
• The Jezersko-Solčava sheep - the local breed still kept on the surrounding pastures.

When to go

May to October for walking, with the high paths clear from late June. Winter brings ski touring and the road over the pass can close. Autumn colour on the larches is good in October.

Before you go

It is quiet to the point of being sleepy and there is little to do beyond walking. Mountain routes from here are serious and not for casual walkers. Accommodation is limited to a few farms and small hotels.

Nearby

Kamnik is south, and Logar Valley is east over the ridge.