When you need a break from eating decadent food and drinking aged wines in Piedmont, Lake Viverone is a peaceful retreat. The beautiful lake has clear water, small beaches, and a submerged stilt village. It also offers stunning views of the Alps.
The setting of Lake Viverone (Lago di Viverone) is picture-perfect. The lake sits at the foot of the Serra Moraine of Ivrea, an amphitheater-shaped landform created by glaciers. It spans just over 2 square miles, making it the third-largest lake in Piedmont (a mountainous region in Italy with amazing food and wine). The water is transparent — you can see fish, reeds, and even the Bronze Age archaeological site beneath the surface. A 6.5-mile trail circles the lake, passing a marina, pebbly beaches, and flocks of migrating birds, while the snow-capped Alps — among the highest mountain ranges in Europe — tower in the background.
Lake Viverone is only 40 miles northeast of Turin (Torino), the capital of Piedmont. Turin is an underrated Italian city and a great spot for an international couples getaway. Its Torino Airport (TRN) receives nonstop flights from cities across Europe. For nonstop flights from outside Europe, fly into Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). The largest airport in Italy is only 60 miles from Lake Viverone and offers a chance to explore one of the world’s most famous cities for clothes shopping.
Read more: 50 Of The Most Mesmerizing Places On Earth
Enjoy Viverone’s vibrant promenade, history, and nature
pedal boats and a sailboat at a marina on Lago di Viverone in Piedmont, Italy – Clara Bonitti/Shutterstock
When you arrive at Lake Viverone, you’ll find a promenade along the water’s edge. The wide path connects the small towns around the lake and is lined with restaurants and trattorias, open-air bars and lounges, and gelato shops on one side. Small beaches and marinas occupy the other. At beaches like Anzasco, Haway, Masseria, and Viverone, you can swim in the clear water. Water sports equipment is available for rent at the marinas. Canoes, pedal boats, and sailboats offer leisurely trips across the lake. Kitesurfing and waterskiing are available for adrenaline junkies. In summer, you can enjoy aperitivo hour aboard a boat—watching the sunset with a glass of local Erbaluce is the perfect way to end the day.
The stilted village from the Bronze Age lies submerged along the southern shore. If you look through the marshes and reeds, you can spot some of the 5,000 wooden stakes once used to support huts above the water. This settlement, discovered in the 1970s, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Artifacts such as jewelry and weapons are preserved in museums in Biella and Turin.
As you continue around the lake, you’ll encounter a wide array of birds. Ducks, grebes, and gulls gather along the quieter parts of Lake Viverone. A wooden footbridge along one of the nature trails even leads to a birdwatching tower.
Visit ancient castles and walk the Via Francigena
The Castello e Parco di Masino in Piedmont, Italy – D-VISIONS/Shutterstock
Lake Viverone isn’t the only intriguing destination in this part of Piedmont. The lake is surrounded by other places worth exploring. The Via Francigena, an ancient pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury, England, to the Puglia region of Southern Italy, runs nearby. The route spans over 1,200 miles and crosses through France and Switzerland. As it passes from Ivrea to Pavia, it offers gorgeous views of Lake Viverone.
Historic castles and forts also dot the area. The Ricetto di Magnano stands atop a hill in the town of Magnano. Built in 1204, the fortress is surrounded by small stone houses and offers a stunning view. It lies just a short walk from the 11th-century Church of San Secondo di Magnano. The Castello di Roppolo, perched above the lake, features a 10th-century tower, 15th-century coffered ceilings, and a panoramic view — it may even be haunted. Meanwhile, the Castello e Parco di Masino, a 1,000-year-old castle in Caravino, features French decor (thanks to Christine of France, of the House of Savoy) and a maze in its garden.
Being in Piedmont, you’ll also find vineyards throughout the hills surrounding the lake. The clay and sandy soil nurtures Erbaluce di Caluso grapes, which produce dry, fresh white wines perfect as aperitifs. You can enjoy them along with the panoramic views.
Ready to discover more hidden gems and expert travel tips? Subscribe to our free newsletter for access to the world’s best-kept travel secrets. You can also add us as a preferred search source on Google.
Read the original article on Explore.
