LAKE ADVENTURES
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oosted by a growing awareness of the mental and physical health benefits of wild swimming, lakeside adventures have captured the imaginations of people keen to take the plunge. From glacial Alpine tarns to tropical
jungle-wreathed lagoons, lakes can boost moods, reconnect us with the elements and help us to press the reset button. They also offer a wealth of options for intrepid travellers. Whether it’s canoeing across a mountain-clasped lake in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, diving down to a ghostly petrified forest in Kazakhstan, fishing in Finland’s Lakeland as ospreys soar overhead or hiking up to the world’s clearest lake in New Zealand, these activities and excursions promise adventure while simultaneously soothing the soul.
BEST FOR CANOEING: LAKE LOUISE, CANADA For a taste of Canadian wilderness, few places rival Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains, where grizzly bears amble through pine and spruce forests, mountains loom overhead and jewel-like lakes dot the landscape — the most scenic of which must be Lake Louise. Hemmed in by rugged, snow-cloaked mountains, this glacier lake sits at 5,200ft, just below Mount Victoria and right on Alberta’s border with British Columbia. While you can admire the lake’s brilliance from
its shores, you’ll get a wholly different perspective by grabbing a paddle and canoeing in silent wonder across its waters, your gaze forced upwards to the parade of towering peaks and pearly shimmer of the hanging Victoria Glacier. The startling azure colour of the water can be attributed to light reflecting off small particles of ‘rock flour’ (glacial silt) carried down from glaciers above. HOW TO DO IT: At the lake’s northern tip, the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise boathouse rents out canoes or, if you’d prefer company, there are guided tours available that are suitable for beginners. The lake freezes over in winter, making the summer and early autumn months
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NATIONALGEOGRAPHIC.COM/TRAVEL
(mid-June to early October) ideal for a paddle. Mornings and evenings are calmest.
fairmont.com
banfflakelouise.com WHILE IN THE AREA: Winding around the shore, the almost three-mile-long Lake Louise Lakeshore trail shows off the lake from its most flattering angles, providing several photo-worthy viewpoints. Starting on the north shore of the lake, the easy one-hour out-and-back route impresses with its views of mountains, falls and the Victoria Glacier.
BEST FOR SUBTERRANEAN BOATING: BLUE CAVE, GREECE Carved over time by the erosive force of the sea, the entrance to the Blue Cave, near the tiny island of Kastellorizo in the Dodecanese, appears almost concealed until one enters its confines. The roof collapsed thousands of years ago following an earthquake, and now when the sun is low, light filtering through the ceiling gives the chamber an otherworldly quality, with intense blue hues reminiscent of an Yves Klein painting. With passengers ducking or lying flat on their backs, tiny boats navigate narrow passages in the rock before a vast chamber reveals itself, its roof reaching heights of 115ft. On hot summer days, the opportunity to swim beneath the cave’s stalactites provides a refreshing escape from the heat. Near the coast of Turkey, the island of Kastellorizo is remote and peaceful, home only to a scattering of dwellings and a few characterful harbourside tavernas. HOW TO DO IT: The Blue Cave is a short (15-minute) speed boat ride from the main harbour of Kastellorizo. Calm seas and stable weather are essential for visiting.
visitkastellorizo.gr WANT SOMETHING SIMILAR? Other Greek caves get crowds, but the Blue Cave in the National Marine Park of Alonissos has somehow avoided the spotlight. On a wild, rugged stretch of shore, this triangular limestone cave has mirror-like waters that make for a magical swim. Morning trips depart from the village of Patitiri, passing several pristine beaches.
bestdivingingreece.com
Right: Kayaks on Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada Previous pages: Aerial view of Pulkkilanharju ridge in Finland’s Päijänne National Park
IMAGE: GETTY
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