The three lakes situated to the northwest of the city centre are one of the signature features of Velenje, and become absolutely abuzz with activity during the warmer months of the year. The smallest of the three, Lake Škale, is just beyond the city stadium and various other sports centres, and can be easily circumnavigated along a well-kept pathway that passes an excellent fish restaurant, a horse ranch and countless fisherman. The much larger Lake Velenje has paths along its southern and eastern shores, and is also home to a large public sports complex, a water sports centre and campground, as well as one slightly surreal floating art installation. To the west, Lake Šoštanj is closed to the public due to its proximity to the mine and power plant. In fact, unbeknownst to most foreign visitors all of the lakes are actually artificial, created decades ago when the land sunk into the mining pits and was flooded.