Top 14 Lakes around Bannio Anzino

For a family-friendly outing, Fairy Lake (Lago delle Fate) is an excellent choice. Located near Macugnaga, it features easy paths and a beautiful emerald green hue. You can also find two restaurants there for a break. Another easily accessible option is Lago Alpe dei Cavalli, known for its stunning turquoise color and a popular circular walk around the lake.

Yes, Lago di Baranca offers a glimpse into history with the ruins of Villa Aprilia (Villa Lancia) nearby, which played a role during World War II. For a unique man-made feature, Lago di Cingino — Dam and Ibex Climbing Wall is a reservoir famous for ibexes climbing its almost vertical dam wall to lick salt. The dam itself is an impressive structure.

The lakes around Bannio Anzino offer diverse natural beauty. You can see the milky turquoise waters of Lago delle Fate set against a mountainous backdrop, or the vibrant, ever-changing turquoise of Lago Alpe dei Cavalli, attributed to glacial sediments. Lake Campiccioli offers views from its dam and the possibility of exploring a small glacier. The region is characterized by alpine lakes, scenic valleys, and woodlands.

Many lakes offer excellent hiking. You can enjoy an easy, family-friendly hike to Lago delle Fate through ancient villages and woodlands. Lago Alpe dei Cavalli has a popular circular walk, and for more challenging treks, you can ascend to Rifugio Andolla from there. The area around Lago di Baranca is part of historical routes like the Great Traverse of the Alps (GTA). For a comprehensive list of trails, explore the hiking guide for Bannio Anzino.

Yes, the region around Bannio Anzino provides various trails. For running, you can find routes like the Santa Maria to Colle di Baranca Trail. Mountain biking enthusiasts can explore options such as the Interreg Bike Trail or the Lago di Campliccioli Dam loop. You can find detailed information on these activities in the running trails guide and the MTB trails guide for Bannio Anzino.

Many lakes are accessible via scenic routes from Bannio Anzino. Lago delle Fate can be reached via well-marked paths from various points like Isella and Motta. Lago Alpe dei Cavalli is also considered easily accessible. However, some routes, like the one to Lake Campiccioli, can be tortuous and challenging, so checking specific trail details is recommended.

Yes, Lago di Cingino — Dam and Ibex Climbing Wall is particularly known for its ibex population. These agile mountain goats can often be seen climbing the dam wall, offering a unique wildlife spectacle. While not explicitly mentioned for other lakes, the alpine environment generally supports diverse wildlife.

The best time to visit the lakes is generally during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, when hiking trails are clear of snow and the weather is pleasant for outdoor activities. Some routes, like those to Lago delle Fate, are even suitable for snowshoeing in winter, offering a different experience.

Near Fairy Lake, you can find two restaurants for a break. For accommodation, Alpe Ronco, Antrona Valley offers a typical mountain hut with a beautiful lake view. The area around Alpe Selle, above Lago di Baranca, also features a refuge and characteristic huts for hikers.

The hike to Lago di Cingino — Dam and Ibex Climbing Wall is considered challenging, involving a significant elevation gain. Similarly, the path to Lake Campiccioli is described as tortuous and not suitable for small children, indicating a more difficult ascent. More challenging treks, such as the ascent to Rifugio Andolla, are also available from Lago Alpe dei Cavalli.

Yes, the impressive Diga di Cheggio is a dry-laid stone gravity dam built between 1922 and 1926, forming Lago Alpe dei Cavalli. You can learn more about this historic dam and the lake it creates by visiting its Wikipedia page: Lago Alpe dei Cavalli on Wikipedia.

For more information on Lago di Baranca, including its connection to historical hiking routes and the nearby ruins of Villa Aprilia, you can visit the Valsesia Vercelli tourism site: Lago di Baranca on visitvalsesiavercelli.it.