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The lakes of Veneto are a varied world within a region that is in itself rich in dream holiday destinations.
Number one in terms of size, fame, and influx of tourists is Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy; at the other end of the spectrum are stretches of water little bigger than a puddle, which perhaps no one would care about if they were not surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe.
In between, there are lakes of varying size and depth, where bathing is permitted and where bathing is prohibited, lakes on whose shores stand important resorts, and others that can only be reached on foot with a long hike to high altitudes. Some are legacies of the Ice Age, others were formed naturally by a landslide, others owe their birth to human intervention. All are worth seeing.
Most of the lakes in Veneto are located in the mountainous area of the province of Belluno: here you can admire the most beautiful alpine lakes, which can be visited on a day trip to escape the heat of the cities or used as a base for a regenerating mountain holiday.
Which are the most beautiful? Which are suitable for a family holiday or which can only be reached by experienced hikers? Where can you have a nice picnic and where can you treat yourself to a tasty lunch in a typical mountain hut?
The answers can all be found in the list of 15 must-see lakes in Veneto below!
Veneto, and more precisely the province of Verona, is responsible for a large slice of Lake Garda, the largest lake in Italy and one of the most attractive tourist attractions in our country.
Garda Veneto corresponds to the central-southern portion of the eastern shore, also known as the ‘Riviera degli Ulivi’ (olive tree Riviera) for its gentle landscape and mild climate that favours the cultivation of olive trees. It is an area with a high degree of romance, where there are enchanting villages perfect for a special occasion or to experience a weekend of poetry.
The lake is swimmable and there are many tourists who choose Garda as a cool alternative to seaside holidays: you can choose from many beaches, both free and equipped.
Garda is also a favourite area for lovers of water sports and other outdoor activities, and the Veneto shore is no exception. Here, the special wind conditions allow sailing and windsurfing, while the flat terrain invites relaxing walks and cycling; for trekking and mountain bike excursions, one can move north to the Monte Baldo area on the border with Trentino.
The most famous resorts in Garda Veneto are Peschiera, Lazise, Bardolino, Garda and Malcesine.
The windiest lake in the Dolomites is Lake Santa Croce, a freshwater lake at the foot of the Conca Alpagota. It is the windiest area in the province of Belluno, and this characteristic has made Lake Santa Croce a favourite destination for windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing enthusiasts. The good news is that the legendary Santa Croce thermal wind usually blows from two o’clock in the afternoon, so the lake is also perfect for those looking for a nice place to cool off on hot summer days.
The best known location on the shores of Lake Santa Croce is Farra d’Alpago, in the northern part: here you will find the best beach for kitesurfing and wakeboarding; it is also the beach with the most services and is therefore always the most crowded.
The most relaxing beach is Baia delle Sirene, a favourite with canoeists and those who want to be away from the chaos; it is located at the southern tip of the lake. In the central part of the eastern shore is Poiatte Beach, the surfers’ beach par excellence.
From Farra d’Alpago you can walk to the Sbarai Oasis, a lovely wetland area rich in animal and plant species near the lake.
Cadore is an area in the upper Belluno province where some of the most striking peaks of the Dolomites, legendary mountains of breathtaking beauty, are concentrated.
The largest alpine lake in Cadore and one of the most famous in the Dolomites is Misurina, the highest hamlet in the municipality of Auronzo, located at an altitude of 1756 metres. It is the locality of reference for those who want to reach the beginning of the legendary Tre Cime di Lavaredo walking tour: the panoramic road leading to the Auronzo Refuge, the starting point of the trekking route, starts here.
You can also admire the three iconic rock faces that have become a symbol of the Dolomites while staying in Misurina: the Three Peaks are reflected in the silvery waters of this glacial lake. The best spot to admire them is the southern shore of the lake, where you will find restaurants, bars and pedalo rentals.
Lake Misurina is a popular destination and in the summer months is often crowded with people bathing or walking around the lake (it is an easy walk of about 30 minutes, very relaxing).
Another lake not to be missed in Cadore is referred to by different names: sometimes simply Lake Cadore, sometimes more appropriately Lake Centro Cadore, or even Lake Calalzo or Lake Pieve di Cadore. As many as six municipalities overlook the left bank of the lake: Pieve, Calalzo, Domegge, Lozzo, Vigo and Lorenzago; at two very narrow points, the lake is crossed by bridges and it is therefore easy to pass from one bank to the other.
The Centro Cadore Lake is an artificial lake created following the construction of a dam; it is recommended for hiking enthusiasts due to the many trails that start in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Other activities that can be practised in the area are sport fishing and climbing.
There are also well-equipped beaches for those who simply want to spend a relaxing day: one is the Miralago beach in Sottocastello fraction of Pieve (the best for lakeside walks) and the other is in Calalzo near Baia dello Chalet. Other small beaches can be found in Vallesella (hamlet of Domegge).
A popular day trip from Cortina is to Lake Ghedina, an emerald-green gem at the foot of the Tofane mountains at an elevation of 1457 metres.
Famous for the iridescent reflections in a thousand shades of green of its waters and for the splendid forests that surround it, Lake Ghedina is a popular destination for families, holidaymakers and hikers and is therefore always very crowded during high season. To fully experience the magic of the place, try to travel during low season or arrive early in the morning.
Hikers can reach Lake Ghedina on foot by following path 413 from Ronco, a locality just above Cortina, or path 409 from Fiames; alternatively, it is possible to arrive by car along a convenient asphalt road.
There is a lovely restaurant with a terrace overlooking the lake, but be careful as it is not always open.
One of the most picturesque lakes in the Veneto Dolomites is Lake Sorapis (sometimes also spelled Sorapiss, after the name of the mountain group), a turquoise body of water carved into the rock at an altitude of 1900 metres and framed by some of the most beautiful mountains south-east of Cortina.
It can only be reached on foot, by several paths. The best known is path no. 215, which starts from the Tre Croci Pass; the first section is a slight up and down in the woods, then the path becomes steeper and on stony ground, with some exposed sections.
About 150 metres from the lake, separated by a small hill, is a refuge run by the CAI (Italian Alpine Club), open from June to September.
Lake Alleghe is the top attraction of one of the most important centres in the Dolomites, which became a holiday resort at the end of the 19th century.
For decades the destination of adventurous mountaineers determined to climb peaks that later became legendary, Alleghe is today a holiday destination suitable for everyone, perfect for experiencing an unforgettable mountain holiday in all seasons.
In summer, the lake can be navigated by boat, pedalo or kayak; bathing is also possible at a small beach equipped with deck chairs and umbrellas. In winter, the lake freezes over and becomes an open-air skating rink.
In summer and winter, you can walk around the lake: it is a two-hour walk, with no major differences in altitude, perfect for admiring the majestic peaks that rise around the town.
Another famous resort in the Veneto Dolomites built around a picturesque mountain lake is Auronzo di Cadore.
Lake Auronzo, also called Lake Santa Caterina, is actually an artificial lake created following the construction of a dam, but the beauty of the landscape is such that it looks 100% natural.
On one shore is the town centre, with hotels, restaurants and a beach with pedal boat rental, which is always very popular in summer; here it is also possible to swim. The other shore is still wild and can only be visited on foot or by bicycle.
During the walk around the lake you can admire mountains of rare beauty, such as the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Cadini, the Croda dei Toni and the Corno del Doge. If you are a trained hiker, you can start from Lake Auronzo for more challenging hikes at high altitude.
Voted one of the most beautiful lakes in Italy by the Italian Touring Club, Lake Mis between Gosaldo and Sospirolo is a linguistic paradox: it is in fact an artificial lake inside a natural park. For the traveller, this means being able to admire a wild-looking lake in a natural setting that has escaped the risks of mass tourism. And patience if in this case, too, the origin is the construction of a dam.
Near the lake are two other points of great scenic interest: the Cadini del Brenton, a spectacular series of natural pools formed by a rushing torrent, and the Soffia waterfall.
On the shores of the lake there are wide green meadows where one can sunbathe in complete relaxation. Unfortunately, there is a ban on bathing both at the lake and at the Cadini del Brenton which is often violated: it is better not to do so, partly to avoid taking unnecessary risks and partly to respect the environment.
A classic high-altitude walk for those staying in Alleghe and its surroundings is the one that leads to Lake Coldai, located at an altitude of 2143 metres. The lake lies at the foot of the vertical walls of the majestic Mount Civetta and is an excellent vantage point from which to admire Lake Alleghe from above.
The complete excursion starts from Piani di Pezzè but can be shortened by reaching Col dei Baldi with the ski lifts; from Col dei Baldi it takes about an hour and a half to reach the lake.
Before arriving at the lake, you will come across the Coldai Hut, perfect for a refreshment break before or after your stop at the lake. The last section of the trail from the hut to the lake runs along a fork that rises and then descends: from the highest point of the fork you will have a magnificent view of Lake Coldai.
The possibility of admiring extraordinary landscapes on a hike that is not too demanding has made Lake Coldai a popular destination for families. If you are an experienced hiker and want more peace and quiet, you can find numerous paths in the area where you can continue your walks.
The classic high altitude walk for those staying in Cortina d’Ampezzo leads to Lake Federa at the foot of Mount Croda and opposite the characteristic Becco di Mezzodì.
We are in one of the most picturesque spots in the Ampezzo Dolomites, at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres: the landscape is characterised by high-altitude pastures, groves of larch, mugho and Cimbri pines, and the imposing rock walls and towers of the surrounding mountains. On the shores of the lake stands a typical alpine refuge where it is possible to eat and stay.
There are many paths leading to Lake Federa and the level of difficulty varies depending on the route chosen. The most popular is the one from Ponte di Rucurto to Passo Giau; it is also possible to arrive by mountain bike.
From the lake, it is possible to set off on more demanding hikes and climbs.
A beautiful alpine lake that can be reached with an easy walk of about an hour is Lake Limedes, a body of water located on an elongated basin southeast of Passo Falzarego and north of Croda di Negra. The waters of the lake reflect the Tofana di Rozes and the Lagazuoi and Averau mountains.
The beautiful landscape and the easy walk attract families and photography enthusiasts in equal measure. The best time to hike to Lake Limides is in June, when the lake’s small effluent is at its highest, whereas towards the end of summer you will almost certainly find it dried up.
The starting point of the trail to the lake is the Col Gallina hut, which can be reached by car and bus.
From the rugged beauty of the alpine lakes, we now move on to introduce you to an enchanting thermal spring surrounded by greenery: fairytale pools and lakes are the great attraction of Lagole, an area of Cadore with pre-Roman origins to which numerous legends are linked.
The area’s best-known stretch of water is the Laghetto delle Tose (tose in Venetian dialect means ‘girls’), which can be reached on foot in a few minutes from the much larger lake in the centre of Cadore.
One arrives by walking through the woods and immediately feels a magical fairy-tale atmosphere; after crossing some small waterfalls, one arrives at a small natural pool formed by a rocky basin and filled with sulphurous waters with well-known curative properties.
Lakes worth seeing in the province of Treviso are the Revine lakes, two freshwater lakes on the southern side of the Pre-Alps. Of glacial origin, they were once a single lake while today they are separated by a strip of land: Lake Santa Maria on one side, the lake called… Lake on the other.
Both lakes are swimmable and numerous sports can be practised in the area, such as sailing, windsurfing, diving and canoeing; if you prefer something more relaxing, you can rent a pedal boat or lie in the sun.
Little known outside the Veneto region, Lake Fimon in Lapio di Arcugnano (Vicenza), on the other hand, is a popular destination for Vicenza residents who want to take a nice walk in the greenery.
Although it is a small lake at a short distance from the city centre, it offers a beautiful view of the Vicenza countryside and the Berici Hills. Its banks are adorned with the shady foliage of willows and poplars, while its waters are rich in carp, tench, pike and eels.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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