Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Travel
Julie Delahaye

Crystal-clear lake waters hide ancient forest where you can swim above the trees

Adventurers can explore an ancient hidden forest by swimming right above its 80ft-high trees.

Visitors who head to the Clear Lake in Oregon, USA, will find a sunken forest nestled amidst the crystalline waters, and it's nothing short of spectacular.

Unsurprisingly the sunken forest is particularly popular with divers thanks to the weaving tree snags which are home to an abundance of wildlife and fascinating plants.

A particular highlight are the 80ft-high tree trunks which you can see from both in the water and from the surface.

The cold spring water flows which spring from the basalt rocks are also popular with divers.

There's an ancient forest submerged in the striking waters (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Meanwhile the clarity of the waters means that there are views up to 100ft to be had, meaning you can often still see the surface. (A word of caution - the waters are pretty cold, so come prepared!).

If you're not a seasoned diver, you can still take in the picturesque views on the water; although no motorised boats are allowed, there are plenty of water sports on offer from canoeing and kayaking to stand-up paddling.

Again, because of how clear the waters are, you can still catch a glimpse of some of the ancient forest as you make your way along the tranquil waters.

The lake was formed around three thousand years ago when a volcanic eruption catapulted a giant flow of lava towards the McKenzie River, scorching the forest in its path.

Nowadays it's surrounded by lush green scenery, colourful plants and an impressive variety of wildlife.

In fact, the nearby McKenzie River trail is a hit with hikers and cyclists thanks to the breathtaking landscape it offers (not to mention there are single track trails along the fascinating lava fields).

The trail takes about one to three hours to complete, and it's both family-friendly and pet-friendly.

You can find out more about planning a trip on Travel Oregon.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.