Schwarzseer See (Lac De Schwarzsee) And Lake Trail

The Schwarzsee, or Lac Noir in French, is a small lake in the Fribourg Pre-Alps, at about 1,050 metres above sea level, in the district known as the Sense, a German-speaking part of the canton of Fribourg close to the language border. The name means black lake, and it comes from the dark colour that the water takes on under the surrounding forest and the steep slopes. The lake is the centre of a small mountain resort, set in a landscape of meadows and spruce forest, with the limestone peak of the Kaiseregg rising to more than 2,100 metres above it. The area belongs to the Gantrisch Nature Park, a protected region of Pre-Alpine hills and valleys between Fribourg and Bern.

A path runs around the lake for roughly three and a half kilometres, and it is one of the simplest and most pleasant walks in the area. The route is mostly flat and suitable for families with prams, for runners and for older walkers, and it takes about an hour at a gentle pace. As you walk, the view changes: in places the path runs right beside the water, with reeds, ducks and small beaches, and in others it passes under trees, with glimpses of the mountains through the branches. Benches and picnic spots are placed along the way, and several restaurants and cafés near the shore provide refreshments. The surrounding meadows are used for grazing in summer, so cattle bells are part of the soundtrack.

In summer, people come to the lake to swim, paddle and take out small boats, and to picnic and sunbathe on the shore. The water is cold, as it is fed by mountain streams, and it warms only in the hottest weeks. The lake is also a base for walks into the hills, with routes that lead to alpine pastures and viewpoints, and a chairlift that takes walkers up to the Riggisalp, a high pasture with a mountain inn and a children's playground. In winter, the lake freezes in cold years, and when it is safe it is used for skating, though this depends on weather and local advice. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are possible on the surrounding trails when there is snow, and a small ski area operates on the nearby slopes.

The area has a tradition of dairy farming, and on alpine pastures in summer cheese is made in the traditional way, with some farms selling products directly. A hot spring with sulphur water, the Kaltbad, has been known in the area since the nineteenth century, adding a spa dimension to the resort's history.

The lake is reached by road from Fribourg or Bern, with a bus connection from the railway station at Fribourg, and parking is available near the shore, though it can be busy on summer weekends. Opening times of restaurants and lifts vary with the season, so check before you go. The trail suits families, walkers and anyone who wants a gentle outing in the mountains. Allow one to two hours for the circuit with stops, and bring a jacket, since the weather can change quickly.