Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago is a region in South Tyrol, Italy, defined by its striking emerald green artificial lake nestled within the Val Senales (Schnalstal) and framed by the Ötztal Alps. The landscape transitions from dense pine forests at lower elevations to rugged alpine terrain, providing a diverse environment for outdoor pursuits. This area offers opportunities for several sports like mountain biking, hiking, mountaineering, touring cycling, and more, with its extensive network of trails and challenging ascents.
61
Routes
4.6
(341)
Average rating
2660
People visited

4.6
(18)
99
riders
24.0km
03:00
1,210m
1,210m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.9
(19)
82
riders
24.7km
02:37
1,070m
1,070m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.4
(17)
68
riders
21.0km
01:50
650m
650m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.4
(15)
61
riders
20.5km
01:42
590m
590m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(13)
372
riders
60.5km
03:39
1,560m
1,560m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.5
(12)
353
riders
68.5km
04:09
1,580m
1,580m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
60
riders
27.8km
01:46
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.0
(2)
29
riders
15.2km
01:02
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.8
(82)
343
hikers
7.72km
02:42
320m
320m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.9
(47)
192
hikers
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(4)
23
hikers
14.3km
06:56
1,160m
1,160m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(15)
99
hikers
4.61km
01:32
230m
230m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(1)
72
riders
29.2km
02:19
860m
860m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
50
riders
21.1km
01:43
630m
630m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
58
riders
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(1)
40
riders
23.4km
02:16
1,030m
1,030m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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28
runners
32.7km
05:29
1,800m
1,800m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
20
runners
9.54km
01:09
250m
250m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
runners
14.4km
02:13
480m
480m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.0
(1)
8
runners
12.5km
02:32
1,140m
1,140m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(3)
24
hikers
8.37km
04:50
820m
820m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
15
hikers
13.1km
07:54
1,150m
1,150m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(2)
15
hikers
7.87km
02:33
200m
200m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(4)
11
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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Vernagt-Stausee, also known as Lake di Vernago, is an artificial lake located in Val Senales (Schnalstal), South Tyrol, Italy. It is set against the backdrop of the Ötztal Alps and offers diverse landscapes for outdoor activities.
The region offers a variety of outdoor activities including Mountain biking, Hiking, Mountaineering, Touring cycling, Jogging, and Road cycling. There are 28 routes available, with an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars from more than 69,000 visitors.
Yes, the area features easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. A popular option is the circular path around the lake, which is approximately a 2-hour walk. More easy options can be found in the Easy hikes around Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago guide.
Popular hiking routes include the circular path around the lake and panoramic circuits ascending the northern mountainside. For experienced hikers, trails extend towards the Similaun Glacier and the Passo di Tisa. Comprehensive information is available in the Hiking around Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago guide.
The Val Senales valley, where the lake is situated, provides opportunities for mountain biking. The region promotes bike routes with varied terrain. Specific routes are detailed in the MTB Trails around Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago guide.
A challenging road bike tour extends into the Val Senales, passing Vernago and continuing to Maso Corto and Certosa. This route covers approximately 32 miles (52 km) with an elevation gain of about 5,085 feet (1,550 m). More routes can be found in the Road Cycling Routes around Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago guide.
Key attractions include the emerald green artificial lake itself, the dramatic Ötztal Alps, and the visible bell tower of a submerged ancient church when water levels are low. The area is also near the discovery site of Ötzi the Iceman.
Yes, the pleasant circular path around the lake is an easy walk suitable for families, offering scenic views and passing small waterfalls. Further family-friendly options are listed in the Family-friendly hikes around Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago guide.
Vernagt-Stausee serves as a starting point for demanding mountaineering challenges within the Ötztal Alps. Routes lead to destinations like the Similaun Hut at 9,905 feet (3,019 m) and the Similaun Glacier. These routes require good fitness and alpine experience.
Komoot offers several guides for the region, including those for MTB Trails, Hiking, Family-friendly hikes, Mountain Hikes, and Cycling.
The Vernagt-Stausee - Lake di Vernago region is popular on komoot, with more than 69,000 visitors exploring its 28 routes. These routes have received an average rating of 4.68 out of 5 stars from over 15,000 ratings.
The official tourism website for the Val Senales (Schnalstal) region, which includes Vernagt-Stausee, is www.schnalstal.it. This website provides comprehensive visitor information.

