Top 20 Lakes around Delebio

While Lake Como is popular, Lake Mezzola offers a more serene experience. It's known for its clear, emerald green waters and is ideal for water sports like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding, as well as birdwatching. The nearby Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve also provides further exploration opportunities.

Yes, the Cancano Lakes (Lago di Cancano and Lago San Giacomo di Fraele) are nestled high in the Stelvio National Park, offering stunning alpine scenery and turquoise waters. Another high-altitude option is Lake Livigno (Lago di Livigno / Lago del Gallo), located at 1,816 meters, which is great for water sports and offers panoramic views.

The region offers a variety of activities. Around Lake Mezzola, you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, leisurely walks, hiking, and fishing. The Cancano Lakes are excellent for walking, cycling, and mountain biking on a 19 km dirt track. Lake Livigno is a hub for high-altitude water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, alongside hiking. For more structured routes, you can explore gravel biking routes, MTB trails, and running trails in the wider Delebio area.

Absolutely. Lake Mezzola is family-friendly, with a bathing lido and a 17 km cycle/pedestrian path connecting Novate Mezzola to Colico. The Pian di Spagna and Lake Mezzola Nature Reserve is also an ideal place for families to spend a peaceful day. The Cancano Lakes offer a relatively flat 19 km track suitable for family walks and cycling. Gera Lario — Lakeside and Marina also features facilities and a beach, making it a good choice for families.

The lakes are set against diverse natural backdrops. Lake Mezzola is framed by lush green hills and alpine peaks, offering breathtaking scenic beauty. The Cancano Lakes are known for their dramatic mountain backdrops and the historic Torri di Fraele. Lake Livigno provides fantastic views from surrounding high mountains, with Crap de la Parè being a recommended spot for panoramic vistas. The Pian di Spagna and Lake Mezzola Nature Reserve is characterized by diverse environments including rivers, streams, meadows, and reed thickets, perfect for nature lovers.

The summer months are generally ideal for visiting the lakes, especially for water activities like swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. During this time, the alpine lakes like Cancano and Livigno are also fully accessible for hiking and cycling. The rhododendron blooming season makes Laghi di Porcile particularly beautiful. For birdwatching, the Pian di Spagna and Lake Mezzola Nature Reserve is great throughout the warmer months.

Beyond the more well-known lakes, Valtellina boasts over 100 lakes. Some notable hidden gems include Lago Palù in Valmalenco, accessible via a hike or cable car, known for its size and beauty. The Laghi di Porcile offer a scenic trio of lakes, especially beautiful during rhododendron season. Lago degli Andossi is easily accessible and a favorite for photographers, while Lac del Vagh is praised for its intense turquoise color and stunning reflections of the Bernina mountain group, requiring a 1.5-hour hike to reach.

Yes, there are options for easier walks. Lake Mezzola offers leisurely walks along its lakefront and a 17 km cycle/pedestrian path. The 19 km dirt track encircling the Cancano Lakes is relatively flat and suitable for walking and cycling, including for families. Lago degli Andossi is also noted as an easily accessible and family-friendly lake.

This nature reserve, located between Lake Mezzola and Lake Como, is a large wetland of significant naturalistic interest. It's characterized by reed beds, mixed broad-leaved forests, and agricultural areas. It's an ideal place for birdwatching, being a nesting ground for many species, and offers a peaceful setting for nature lovers and cyclists.

Yes, cycling is a popular activity. Lake Mezzola has a 17 km cycle/pedestrian path. The Cancano Lakes feature a 19 km dirt track perfect for cycling and mountain biking, even gaining renown as a stage finish for the Giro d'Italia. Lakeside Pathway on Lake Como also offers scenic cycling. You can find more detailed cycling routes in the area, including gravel biking and MTB trails.

The Bidet della Contessa, found in Val di Mello, which is part of Lombardy's largest nature reserve, is known for its crystal-clear pools and dramatic granite cliffs. It offers a unique natural swimming experience within a stunning alpine valley.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning views, especially from spots overlooking Lake Como and the Swiss Alps. The peaceful environment of lakes like Lake Mezzola is highly valued, as are the opportunities for cycling in nature, particularly in areas like the Pian di Spagna and Lake Mezzola Nature Reserve. The diverse range of outdoor activities and the natural beauty of the region are consistently highlighted.