Brennsee

Brennsee, also called Feldsee, is a lake in the Gurktal Alps of Carinthia. It lies at 739 metres above sea level in the narrow Gegendtal Valley, which runs east to west through the Nock Mountains. The southern shore rises steeply under the wooded slopes of the Mirnock massif. On the northern side, Alpine pastures and farmsteads line the water’s edge. The whole lake sits within the municipal boundaries of Feld am See. The lake is fed mainly by groundwater and small brooks from the north. A short stream at the western end carries water into the Kleinkirchheimer Bach, which reaches Millstätter See. In summer the water warms to 23 °C. Sewerage systems were installed in the 1970s, yet farm runoff once caused heavy plant and algal growth. Recent measures have greatly improved the water quality. Local fishing targets northern pike, common carp, wels catfish and several other species. Efforts are under way to bring back the noble crayfish. Visitors find a quiet mountain lake ringed by forests and meadows. The steep southern slopes are shaded and largely wild, while the northern side offers gentle access to farm buildings and paths. The shoreline is calm, with few buildings except for scattered farmsteads. The valley’s narrow shape keeps the wind low, so the water stays clear and still. Those who walk the lakeside tracks see the mountains reflected in the surface.