Top 15 Lakes around Casamaccioli

Among the most popular lakes are Lake Nino, a glacial lake known for its unique 'pozzine' and as the source of the Tavignano river. Lake Capitello is another must-see, a deep glacial lake often frozen for many months due to its high altitude. Visitors also frequently enjoy Lake Melo, located below Lac de Capitello in the Restonica valley.

Yes, Lac de Creno is particularly suitable for families. It's unique for being surrounded by a pine forest and adorned with water lilies. The area offers easy hiking trails, and you can even ride ponies or horses from the car park below.

The lakes offer diverse natural beauty. Lac de Nino is famous for its 'pozzine' – small, grassy, water-filled pools that dot the surrounding meadows. Lac de Creno stands out with its pine forest and water lilies. Lac de Calacuccia, a large reservoir, provides breathtaking panoramic views, especially with snow-capped peaks in the early season.

Absolutely. The region is a hiker's paradise. Popular routes include the hike to Lac de Nino, which is a significant landmark along the GR20. The challenging yet rewarding hikes to Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello in the Restonica Valley are also highly recommended. You can find more hiking options in our Hiking around Casamaccioli guide.

The best time to visit is generally from late spring to early autumn (May to October). During this period, the weather is milder, and hiking trails are more accessible. High-altitude lakes like Lac de Capitello can remain frozen for many months, and surrounding peaks are often snow-capped early in the season, offering stunning views.

Swimming is generally not permitted or recommended in many of the high-altitude lakes due to their protected status and cold temperatures. For instance, swimming in Lac de Nino is forbidden to protect its unique 'pozzine' ecosystem. Similarly, swimming in Lac de Calacuccia is also forbidden. Some smaller streams or natural pools, like those near the Radule waterfall, might offer opportunities for cooling off.

The region is rich in wildlife. Near Lac de Nino, you can often spot semi-wild horses and cattle grazing in the meadows. Around Lac de Capitello, early mornings might offer a chance to observe golden eagles or bearded vultures. Lac de Creno also teems with wildlife and is grazed by cattle.

Yes, there are several routes for running and road cycling. For running, you can explore trails like the 'Calacuccia Dam loop from Casamaccioli' or the 'Running loop from Calacuccia'. Road cyclists can enjoy routes such as the 'Calacuccia — lake loop'. More details can be found in our Running Trails around Casamaccioli and Road Cycling Routes around Casamaccioli guides.

Parking can be limited at the starting points for some popular trails, such as those leading to Lake Melo. It's advisable to arrive early, especially during peak season, or consider carpooling if possible. For Lac de Creno, there is a car park below where you can also rent ponies.

The hike to Lac de Nino is a popular and rewarding experience, with both easier and more moderate routes available. A typical round trip can take several hours, depending on your starting point and pace. For example, a difficult loop from Lac de Nino, like the 'Lac de Nino view – Lake Nino loop', is approximately 18.8 km.

While the immediate vicinity of some high-altitude lakes is wild and undeveloped, you can find facilities in nearby villages like Calacuccia and Casamaccioli. Some trailheads, such as the one for Lake Melo, may have a hosted hut at the start. It's recommended to carry your own provisions for longer hikes.

Lac de Calacuccia is a large reservoir formed by damming the Golo river, playing a crucial role in Corsica's hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. It offers breathtaking panoramic views, especially with the surrounding peaks like Paglia Orba still snow-capped. The lake is shared by the communes of Calacuccia and Casamaccioli.