The lakes of Sabina
Naturalistic Itinerary
Starting point
Lago del Salto
Type of route
Walking and Car Route
Stages
4
Duration
4 days
Difficulty
Medium
For lake enthusiasts, here is an opportunity for an exciting long weekend immersed in the nature of Sabina, a land generously rich in water that boasts as many as eight lakes, four of which are swimmable.
Among them, one lake hides on a plateau on the border with Abruzzo, while two others are located within the Lungo and Ripasottile Lakes Nature Reserve. Let’s not forget the enchanting lake in the Upper Velino Valley.
Our itinerary will take us through the Salto Valley and the Turano Valley, and then move north toward Rieti. Here we will have the opportunity to bathe in the crystal-clear waters of the lovely little lake of Ventina and Lake Piediluco, both remnants of the ancient lacus Velinus, drained by the Romans during the reclamation works undertaken by Marcus Curio Dentatus in 290 B.C.
The itinerary
We leave Rome to venture into the suggestive landscape of Lago del Salto, reachable via the A24 road, with the Valle del Salto exit. Following the SR578 Salto Cicolana, we gradually immerse ourselves in the relaxing atmosphere that awaits us. We pass through Fiamignano and then descend towards the picturesque village of Sant’Ippolito, embraced by the shores of the lake. This basin, born from human intervention, welcomes us with its inviting bathing atmosphere.
Its beaches, some of which are equipped with convenient services such as deckchair and umbrella rental, offer the opportunity to enjoy the sun or venture out in a quiet canoe to explore the lake from a different perspective. Among the options, the Spiaggia della Diga del Salto, which also includes a camping area, and the Spiaggia Altobelli in Borgo San Pietro, picturesquely overlooking the waters of the lake.
Even for those who prefer swimming, the experience is unique: the waters of the lake offer a breathtaking spectacle, surrounded as they are by the lush nature that embraces its shores. The majestic mountains of Nuria and Navegna act as a backdrop, enriched by oak and chestnut woods that accentuate the beauty of the landscape.
In the afternoon, let’s take a walk through the streets of two villages overlooking the lake: Petrella Salto and Fiamignano. Here, we find a welcoming hotel where we can spend the night. Before closing our eyes, let’s savor the local culinary delights in one of the panoramic restaurants overlooking the lake, enjoying an enchanting view.
For those who want to explore the area further, the Rascino plateau, near Fiamignano, offers an equally fascinating natural spectacle: Lake Rascino, nestled between the majestic mountains of the Abruzzo Apennines, a true delight for fishing lovers, thanks to its population of pike.
At the same latitude as the suggestive Valle del Salto lies the Valle del Turano, separated from it by the majestic Monte Navegna. The route to reach it is exciting: we enter along the SP67 for about 25 kilometers, crossing a tunnel of 9 kilometers, until we reach the magnificent Lago del Turano. Here, next to its calm waters, stands the ancient medieval village of Castel di Tora, which is reflected in the artificial basin, and the picturesque village of Colle di Tora, perched on a narrow strip of land that juts out into the lake.
The more delicate and relaxing shades of the water and the surrounding landscape, despite the presence of the mountains, give an atmosphere of peace and serenity. In the area, there are charming hotels and B&Bs where you can spend the night, after a day of fun on the shores of the lake and exploration of the local food and wine culture.
The Turano Valley is renowned not only for its extraordinary variety of products from the land and mountains, among which the delicious truffles stand out, but also for the fish specialties of the lake. Among these, the “rosciole“, typical fish of the lake that are celebrated every July during an evocative traditional festival. Do not miss the fresh hand-rolled pasta and the Sabina DOP extra virgin olive oil, a testimony to the food and wine richness of the area.
On Lake Turano, it is also possible to practice a variety of water sports, such as canoeing and fishing, or enjoy a refreshing swim to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding nature.
The third day of our adventure will see us rowing upstream along the Turano River to Rieti, to explore the picturesque lakes of the Valle Santa. After passing through Rieti, we will join the Via Salaria to reach the picturesque Lake Paterno, nestled in the village of Castel Sant’Angelo at the beginning of the Alta Valle del Velino, east of Rieti. This place is not only a natural enchantment, but also has considerable historical importance, as it is said that it was here that the Romans established the geographical center of Italy.
After a short exploration, we will resume our journey towards the Riserva Naturale dei Laghi Lungo e Ripasottile, a haven of peace immersed in the nature of the Rieti plain. Although the lakes do not offer swimming beaches, it is definitely worth venturing along the surrounding paths to enjoy the spectacular views of the waters fed by the Velino River. Birdwatchers will also find a paradise here, thanks to the rich variety of species present.
Before continuing, we will take a lunch break in one of the delicious agritourisms or restaurants in the area, enjoying local delicacies such as trout and fresh river shrimp. Then, we will continue our journey towards Lake Ventina, located in the municipality of Colli sul Velino. This small elliptical jewel, surrounded by green hills, is located in the heart of the Valle Santa, a few steps from the suggestive Sanctuary of the Nativity of Greccio.
Here, we will enjoy a moment of pure relaxation on the pretty beach in the shade of a majestic oak tree, perhaps after a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters or an exciting carp fishing session for enthusiasts. Finally, we will venture to Labro, on the border with Umbria, where we will spend the night in one of the picturesque villages of the Conca Reatina.
The highest point of Labro will give us a breathtaking view of Lake Piediluco, which will be our last stop before concluding this unforgettable journey.
For the last day of our adventure among the lakes of Sabina, we immerse ourselves in the beauty of the shores of Lake Piediluco. We leave Lazio and head towards Umbria, finding ourselves in the province of Terni despite its proximity to Rieti. This lake, together with the other five in the Rieti plain, is the largest remnant of the ancient lacus Velinus, which once occupied the entire valley before the Roman reclamation that transformed these lands into fertile agricultural fields.
Its shores offer enchanting landscapes, with imposing nature surrounding the natural basin. Near the pretty village of Piediluco, we find establishments equipped for a day of complete relaxation or for practicing water sports such as rowing (this is where the Circolo Canottieri di Piediluco is based), fishing or, thanks to the fun eco-boats, we can opt for a tour of the lake, particularly suggestive at sunset. After a refreshing swim, we take a stroll through the picturesque streets of the town, which boasts a 14th-century church dedicated to the passage of Saint Francis of Assisi.
For dinner, we can delight in one of the many traditional trattorias in the area, where we can enjoy a wide selection of freshwater fish specialties.