LAC DE KARANIKOLA
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This beautiful little glacial lake (Караниколичко Езеро/Karanikoličko Ezero, Liqeni Karanikollës) lies at an altitude of 2,110 m, around 500 m west of Kosovo and below the Karanikola peak (2,409 m). Also known as the "Grand Gjol" (Голем Ѓол/Golem Gjol, Gjoli pa Fund), it covers 2.7 ha, is 590 m long, 115 m wide and has a maximum depth of 5.60 m. It can be reached by a 14.3 km trail that starts at Bozovce (1,325 m above sea level) and ends at the village of Vešala (1,425 m), itself 2 km east of Bozovce by road. The lake is distinguished by the color of its water, which oscillates between light blue, turquoise, violet and dark blue. The water is considered the "softest" in the Balkans, with a hydrogen potential (pH) of around 6.5. Nearby, rare endemic flowers such as Šar mullein(Verbascum scardicolum) and Šar sainfoin(Onobrychis scardica) grow. The trail from Bozovce takes around 6h30. It is described on a sign in the village and on various websites such as balkanhikingadventure.com. With an ascent of 885 m, this route is considered difficult and requires a good level of fitness. But it offers superb views of the rock formations known as the "three hazelnut trees" (Лешнички Карпи/Leshnichki Karpi), Tito's Peak (the highest point in the Šar Mountains), the Pena River (Пена, Lumi i Shkumbinit) and Karanikola Peak. On the way back down to Vešala, you'll enjoy panoramic views of the Vrtop (2,555 m) and Kobilica (2,528 m) peaks.
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