Top 16 Lakes around Borgomezzavalle

The Antrona Valley, near Borgomezzavalle, offers several picturesque lakes. Cheggio Dam and Lake of the Horses (also known as Lake Alpe dei Cavalli) is highly popular for its clear, turquoise waters and stunning alpine views. Another must-see is Lake Antrona, a natural lake known for its emerald waters reflecting the surrounding mountains, and home to the Sajont Waterfall. Additionally, Lake Campiccioli, located above Lake Antrona, offers breathtaking natural scenery.

Yes, there are options for easy walks. An easy loop trail encircles Lake Antrona, offering scenic panoramic views and taking approximately one hour. For a slightly longer but still manageable option, a 3.6-mile (5.77 km) loop trail around Lake Alpe dei Cavalli offers stunning views and is suitable for various fitness levels, though some sections can be more challenging. You can find more hiking options in the region by exploring the Mountain Hikes around Borgomezzavalle guide.

The lakes boast several unique natural features. At Lake Antrona, you can experience the Sajont Waterfall, where a suspended metal walkway allows you to pass directly behind the falling water. The shores of Lake Antrona also burst with vibrant fuchsia and yellow blooms from rhododendrons, larches, birches, and laburnums in late spring and early summer. Lake Alpe dei Cavalli is renowned for its striking turquoise to green, crystal-clear waters and breathtaking alpine views, surrounded by meadows and rugged mountains.

Yes, during the summer months, the refreshing waters of Lake Antrona offer small, unequipped beaches where visitors can sunbathe and swim. Lake Alpe dei Cavalli is also considered ideal for relaxing and enjoying the water, though specific designated swimming areas might vary.

The late spring and summer months are ideal for visiting the lakes. In late spring and early summer, the shores of Lake Antrona are particularly vibrant with blooming rhododendrons and other flora. Summer offers pleasant temperatures for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor activities. While beautiful, some trails, especially around Cheggio Dam and Lake of the Horses, can still have snow in early May, making them more challenging.

Many of the lakes offer family-friendly options. Lake Antrona has an easy loop trail suitable for families and provides ideal spots for picnics. Cheggio Dam and Lake of the Horses is also listed as family-friendly, with an easy-to-moderate loop trail. However, some paths, like the one to Lake Campiccioli, can be tortuous and less suitable for small children.

The region around Borgomezzavalle offers a variety of outdoor activities. Besides hiking around the lakes, you can explore numerous mountain hikes, such as the 'Lago Alpe dei Cavalli – Rifugio Andolla loop' or the 'Sajont Waterfall – Lake Antrona loop'. Cycling is also popular, with routes like 'From Villadossola to Vogogna along the Ciclovia del Toce'. For runners, there are several running trails available. You can find detailed routes and guides for these activities in the Mountain Hikes, Cycling, and Running Trails guides for Borgomezzavalle.

Yes, both Lake Antrona and Lake Alpe dei Cavalli have interesting origins. Lake Antrona is a natural lake with a dramatic history, formed on July 27, 1642, by a massive landslide from Mount Pozzuoli. This event created a natural dam, blocking the Troncone stream and burying the old village of Antrona. Lake Alpe dei Cavalli, on the other hand, is an artificial basin created by the Cheggio Dam, constructed between 1922 and 1926 in a natural depression that once held a glacial lake.

While specific parking details for every lake are not provided, the lakes are generally accessible, and visitors typically find parking near the starting points of popular trails or villages like Alpe Cheggio for Lake Alpe dei Cavalli, or near Antrona Schieranco for Lake Antrona. It's advisable to check local signage upon arrival.

Visitors frequently praise the stunning natural beauty and tranquility of the lakes. Lake Antrona is often described as a 'pearl of paradise' and a 'sparkling diamond of the Ossola Valley' due to its majestic mountain scenery. For Cheggio Dam and Lake of the Horses, the intense and almost 'unreal' colors of the water, combined with the surrounding peaks, make it a paradise for photographers and nature enthusiasts. The opportunity to see ibex climbing the dam wall at Lago di Cingino is also a unique highlight for many.

The region is known for its wild and unspoiled nature. A notable wildlife sighting is at Lago di Cingino, where ibex are frequently observed climbing the almost vertical dam wall to lick salt from the rock. The Alta Valle Antrona Natural Park, which encompasses these lakes, is dedicated to preserving the local ecosystem, suggesting a rich diversity of alpine wildlife, though specific species are not detailed.

Near Lake Alpe dei Cavalli, you can find the charming village of Alpe Cheggio, which hosts the Rifugio Città di Novara. Additionally, Alpe Ronco, Antrona Valley, offers a typical mountain hut experience with accommodation options and a beautiful lake view. While specific cafes are not detailed for every lake, these areas often have facilities catering to visitors.