Lake Avostanis from Malga Promosio

Lake Avostanis is a small high-altitude jewel, set at the foot of the mountain of the same name and dominated by the vertical limestone walls that crown it to the north, in a severe but fascinating environment marked by time and history. This sheet of water of glacial origin, with its clear and cold waters, reflects the verticality of the mountains that surround it, creating a setting of great suggestion and visual strength, in which nature and memory are deeply intertwined.

The hike to the lake starts from Malga Pramosio, easily accessible by car during the summer season. From here, a well-marked and moderately challenging trail climbs gradually through high-altitude meadows, pastures and rocky areas, offering splendid views of the surrounding mountains and the Austrian side of the Carnic chain.

Lake Avostanis lies in a secluded basin below the ridge that marks the natural border with Austria. The environment surrounding it is wild and rocky, also frequented by climbing enthusiasts, attracted by the famous cliff. The lake represents a perfect resting place, ideal for refreshment and being enveloped in silence, often interrupted only by the wind or the call of a few birds of prey in flight.

But this place is not only nature: it is also a land of memory. Just before reaching the lake, along the path, you will come across a memorial plaque dedicated to Maria Plozner Mentil, one of the symbolic figures of Carnic women porters. Here, in 1916, Maria was shot dead by an Austro-Hungarian sniper while carrying out her hard task. Her figure still represents the courage and sacrifice of so many women who, during World War I, worked under extreme conditions to support Italian soldiers along the front line.

The one to Lake Avostanis is therefore a hike that combines landscape and history, nature and memory, offering a complete and intense experience, recommended for those seeking an authentic corner of the mountains, far from the beaten track, where every step tells something.