Description
Discovering secret places
Established by the Lombardy Region as a protected nature reserve and recognized as a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Community Importance by the European Union, the Lago di Piano Nature Reserve represents a pristine environment that fosters biodiversity, a context composed of different natural environments such as lakes, wetlands, meadows, woods, streams... a unique heritage where flora and fauna are the undisputed protagonists.
A natural oasis between Lake Como and Lake Ceresio
A true natural jewel in the Menaggio Valley, located halfway between Lake Como and Lake Ceresio, the Lago di Piano Nature Reserve is an uncontaminated and precious environment for nature observation and trekking.
A crystal-clear body of water, rich in large fish such as pike and of conservation interest such as Po river gobies, which reflects the surrounding mountains of the Menaggio Valley, particularly Mounts Galbiga and Pidaggia, within the framework of a protected Regional Nature Reserve recognized as a Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Community Importance by the European Union.
This specific protection stems from the EU's need to safeguard habitats and species (wild animals and plants) in decline and rarefaction on a continental level that have survived to this day in Lake Piano.
How to get to the Reserve
The Lago di Piano Regional Nature Reserve is located in the Lepontine Alps, halfway between Menaggio and Porlezza, near Lake Lugano. It's easily accessible by car from Menaggio via state road 340, which connects to Porlezza.
The Reserve House and the tour route
The Reserve is located halfway between Lake Como and Lake Ceresio and is a precious environment for nature observation and fascinating hikes. The Reserve House, the starting point and headquarters of the Park, houses the park rangers' offices, a bookshop, a rowboat rental service, a nature education room, and a guesthouse for overnight visitors. Outside, a picnic area and a beautiful pier overlooking the lake are available to all.
The main tour route is immersed in lush nature: approximately 5 kilometers of excitement, passing through numerous distinct natural environments: aquatic plants, reed beds, meadows, humid forests, broadleaf trees, and coniferous trees. Access is free and can also be self-guided thanks to the numerous red-white-red trail markers that mark the route. Along the trail, it's not uncommon to encounter wild animals such as deer and roe deer, while birds and amphibians are never lacking. Numerous vestiges of the past are also well-preserved: the Ancient Mills, the Lembra Washhouse, specialized farms, the bird snare, and kilometers of dry stone walls. At the summit of Montecchio Brione (a geological feature of the Quaternary period), the fortified rural village of Castel San Pietro, dating back to the medieval period, has stood for almost a thousand years. It is a cluster of ancient houses huddled together with a single access road, perched high above the valley floor.
Exceptional biodiversity
The exceptional biodiversity present in the Lago di Piano Nature Reserve is evidenced by the presence of the freshwater crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes italicus), a small, rather rare crustacean that survives only in the reserve's cooler, more oxygenated waters.
Nearby
- Camping Frog
- De Gusta, Cafeteria Bar
Experiences
- Hiking tour in the reserve lasting about 3 hours
- Small boat rental at the “Casa della Riserva” Visitor Center”
Photo credits: Vincenzo Perin
The Lake and Landscapes
Flora, Fauna and Trails
