Italy’s natural landscapes are one of the major reasons why it’s a popular European destination for travellers. Its ancient ruins, cliffside villages and rolling vineyards appear to have leapt straight out from a fairytale. One of the country’s most dazzling natural wonders is its lakes. From Lake Como to Lake Garda, the biggest reason to visit them all is the spectacular scenery, alongside the opportunity to engage in outdoorsy pursuits like hiking, kayaking and mountain biking.
During your Italy trip, bookmark these five secret lakes for an experience you will never forget.
This picturesque alpine lake in the Trentino province was created by the blocking of a moraine from the ancient Garda glacier. Thanks to its splendid green colour and the crystal-clear water which reflects the surrounding mountains, Lake Ledro is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy. Moreover, it is surrounded by dense forests in a fairytale-like landscape. Up to the 19th century, the lake was almost cut off from the outside world. It became easier to access it in the 1980s when a new street leading into the Valle di Ledro was built. Lake Ledro is primarily known for an archaeological finding made in 1929 when the water level of the lake was brought down to align with the power station of Riva del Garda. Pile dwellings dating back to the Bronze Age, among other artefacts, were recovered. Today, visitors can fish, explore a 200-kilometre path, walk along the lake or refresh themselves in its cool water.
Recognisable for its narrow and elongated shape, Lake Posta Fibreno is part of the Lazio region’s Sistema dei Parchi e delle Riserve Naturali. This karstic lake covers an area of about 75 acres at an altitude of almost 300 metres above sea level. The small, serene lake is home to an unusual natural phenomenon known since Roman times. Described by Pliny the Elder in his 1st-century “Naturalis Historia,” the lake is the setting for the subtle dances and movements of a natural floating island. Known as “Rota” for its round shape, it was formed over the years by free-floating rhizomes, peat and roots. It constantly changes position depending on the winds and currents, enchanting and intriguing visitors with its fluctuating dance. Posta Fibreno’s mild temperature and extraordinarily clear waters have made it a paradise for divers, kayakers, wildlife lovers and birdwatchers. The lake has no tributaries and it is fed by karstic springs, whose constant flow are responsible for the turquoise water’s remarkable transparent hue.
While romantics are enchanted by its heart shape, sportspeople and nature lovers are drawn to Lake Scanno’s rugged character. This lake in the Abruzzo region formed after a catastrophic landslide on Monte Genzana. While experts believe its origin dates back to some 3,000 years ago, a local legend places it further back in time: they say the lake was created during a war in which Roman soldiers faced Battifolio, a local king. Confronting his certain defeat, Battifolio cast a spell that showered the battlefield with water, thus forming the lake that prevented his enemies from advancing. The colours of the lake are a marvel, with contrasts, tones and shadows creating a mesmerising effect with the blue of the sky, the dense green of the vegetation and the white of the snow-capped peaks. When you’re here, you should swim, explore the trails with a mountain bike, fish and bird watch.
Created in 1940 by damming the Salto River and the consequent submergence of the valley of the same name in Cicolano, Lake Salto is the largest artificial lake in the Lazio region. With its elongated and jagged shape, it looks like a huge river or fjord. The entire Valle del Salto is covered by dense forests along the mountain slopes that abruptly thin out by the lake. In the villages of Fiumata and Borgo San Pietro, you can find well-equipped bathing beaches where you can rent parasols, deckchairs, pedal boats and canoes. In recent years, the basin has become an important destination for wakeboarders and for fishing tourism.
Another scenic lake in the Trentino region is Lake Molveno. With a maximum depth of 124 metres, it is the largest alpine lake in the country that is located at an altitude of 800 metres above sea level. Its waters reflect the surrounding mountains of the Brenta Dolomites as well as the Paganella massif. Numerous rivers from the surrounding mountain chains flow into Lake Molveno, which is also bordered by dense forests. Inside the lake live a variety of fish such as trout, arctic char and perch while the surrounding reserve is where rabbits, chamois, roes and many other animals live. When you’re here, take a sailing trip across the water, relax on one of its many beaches or dive into its hidden depths.