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LAKE ADVENTURES
THREE MORE LAKES FOR A MORE SEDATE ADVENTURE
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Best for cycling: Lake Constance
BEST FOR PADDLEBOARDING: BLUE LAKE, NEW ZEALAND Lake Tikitapu in the Rotorua Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand’s North Island is known as Blue Lake thanks to its dazzling aqua hue, created by pumice and rhyolite on the lake bed. Skirted by the native bush and exotic redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest, this volcanic crater lake is steeped in Māori history. Their spiritual connection to the land is profound, and for centuries Tikitapu has been a place of spiritual reverence, where rituals and ceremonies were performed to honour ancestors and seek guidance from the natural world. Visibility is excellent, making Blue Lake an ideal
place to swim, but hiring a paddleboard will open up remote reaches of the water. Secluded coves dot its shoreline, as do caves that flicker with glow worms after dark. While paddling, look out for native birds like the tui and fantail flitting through the trees along the shoreline. HOW TO DO IT: Outdoor adventure companies such as Super Passes rent out paddleboards, as well as offer guided group excursions. December to February is warmest, but it’s also peak season, so consider visiting Lake Tikitapu in spring when the weather is still warm but crowds are scarce.
superpasses.co.nz WANT SOMETHING SIMILAR? On an alpine ridge in the northern wilds of South Island, Nelson Lakes National Park draws backcountry hikers, with trails that twist deep into the Southern Alps and pass 16 lakes coloured stained-glass blue. Most entrancing is Rotomairewhenua Lake. At the foot of Mount Franklin and spring-fed by Lake Constance above, the lake was tested by scientists in 2011 and found to be the world’s clearest. Getting there is challenging; it can only be
reached on foot as a side trip from the Travers- Sabine Circuit, a four- to seven-day off-grid hike that starts in St Arnaud and showcases the national park’s magnificent beech forests. Alternatively, shorten the trip by taking a water taxi from Lake Rotoroa Jetty to Sabine Hut, followed by a nine-hour hike. The season runs from November to April.
BEST FOR DIVING: LAKE KAINDY, KAZAKHSTAN A drop of turquoise in Kazakhstan’s snow-capped Tian Shan mountains, Lake Kaindy requires an off- road adventure to reach, but it’s worth braving the bumpy ride from the village of Saty, a 35-minute drive away. This 1,300ft-long, 98ft-deep lake was created by a huge earthquake in 1912 that triggered a limestone landslide and formed a natural dam. Fed by a glacial river, this lesser-known star of the Kolsai Lakes National Park looks like something from a Tolkien fantasy. The slender trunks of a submerged Picea schrenkiana (Asian spruce) forest rise from its depths to spear the flawless blue sky. Under the water, it gets more otherworldy still. The frigid, oxygen-rich water has frozen the trees in time, protecting them from decay, while branches swathed in thick curtains of algae create an underwater labyrinth so ghostly locals often refer to it as ‘dead lake’. Due to its altitude and the depth of the water, with divers descending to around 30ft, this is a realm for experts only. While swims are tempting, given the temperature, it’s likely to be a quick plunge: temperatures get to a maximum of 6C even in the summer. In winter, meanwhile, the lake ices over entirely. HOW TO DO IT: With crystal-clear water and excellent visibility, diving in Lake Kaindy is both surreal and unforgettable. You’ll need plenty of experience and to show a diving licence, as well as organise a permit. The right guide will be able to advise on what equipment to hire, and will accompany you on the dive to show you the best spots.
outdoorvoyage.com
welcome.kz WANT SOMETHING SIMILAR? Formed by volcanic lava flowing down from Sand Mountain 3,000 years ago, Oregon’s Clear Lake has turquoise waters fed by underwater springs and snowmelt that average a frigid 3C year-round. Experienced divers are in their element here, with a visibility of 100ft allowing close-ups of its sunken forest. A short surface swim is needed to reach it and local outfits rent gear and fill tanks.
centraloregondiving.com
Straddling Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Lake Constance — or Bodensee, as it’s known locally — is Central Europe’s third-largest freshwater lake, and there’s no better way to see it than by bicycle. The 162-mile Bodensee- Radweg (Lake Constance Cycle Path) makes a spectacular loop of the lake, passing orchards, farms, vineyards, bird-rich wetlands, baroque pilgrimage churches and medieval castles. Stay in historic towns like Konstanz on the northwest shore and break up the pedalling with a swim. Particularly pretty is Hörnle beach; avoid pausing there in July and August, when it’s very crowded.
bodensee-radweg.com
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Best for stargazing: Great Lake of Alqueva
Among the olive groves, cork oak forests, vineyards and snow-white towns of rural Alentejo is Portugal’s Great Lake of Alqueva, Europe’s largest reservoir. Sitting close to the Spanish border, this 97sq-mile lake has beaches and islets to explore by kayak, with castle-topped hill towns to hike to afterwards. The world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination and an official dark sky reserve, Alqueva shines at night. With a pair of binoculars, it’s possible to spot constellations, distant galaxies and meteor showers. For more serious stargazers, use the telescopes at Monsaraz observatory, or opt for a starlit canoe tour.
darkskyalqueva.com
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Best for wildlife watching: Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
On the Bolivian altiplano, Laguna Colorada is a sight to behold. This shallow, 23sq-mile lake sits 14,035ft above sea level, the pink-red tint of sediment in the water contrasting with the blue skies and snow-streaked volcanoes. Filled with algae and plankton, its mineral-rich waters draw thousands of flamingos, including three of the world’s six species (Chilean, Andean and the rare James’s flamingo). Watch them skim over the water at sunset, with the Andes towering behind.
Left from top: Blue Lake in New Zealand; flamingos at Laguna Colorada, Bolivia
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – LAKES & MOUNTAINS COLLECTION 13
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