At the same latitude as the picturesque Valle del Salto lies the Turano Valley, separated from it by the majestic Mount Navegna. The route to reach it is compelling: we drive along SP67 for about 25 kilometers, passing through a tunnel of no less than 9 kilometers, until we reach the magnificent Lake Turano. Here, beside its tranquil waters, stands the ancient medieval village of Castel di Tora, mirrored in the reservoir, and the picturesque village of Colle di Tora, perched on a narrow tongue of land jutting into the lake.

The softer, more relaxing tones of the waters and surrounding landscape, despite the presence of mountains, lend an atmosphere of peace and serenity. In the area, you will find charming hotels and B&Bs where you can spend the night, after a day of fun on the shores of the lake and exploring the local food and wine culture.

The Turano Valley is renowned not only for its extraordinary variety of products from the land and mountains, including the delicious truffles, but also for the lake’s fish specialties. These include “rosciole,” typical fish from the lake that are celebrated every July during an evocative traditional festival. Not to be missed are the fresh hand-rolled pastas and the extra virgin olive oil from Sabina DOP, a witness to the area’s gastronomic richness.

On Lake Turano, you can also enjoy a variety of water sports, such as canoeing and fishing, or indulge in a refreshing swim to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of the surrounding nature.

The third day of our adventure will see us paddling upstream along the Turano River to Rieti to explore the picturesque lakes of the Sacred Valley. 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 Upper Velino Valley, east of Rieti. This place is not only a natural enchantment, but also possesses considerable historical importance, as it is said that it was here that the Romans established the geographical center of Italy.

After a brief exploration, we will resume our journey in the direction of the Lungo and Ripasottile Lakes Nature Reserve, a peaceful oasis nestled in the nature of the Rieti plain. Although the lakes offer no swimming beaches, it is definitely worth venturing along the surrounding trails to enjoy the spectacular views of the waters fed by the Velino River. Bird watchers will also find paradise here, thanks to the rich variety of species present.

Before continuing on, we will take a lunch break at one of the delicious farmhouses or restaurants in the area, enjoying local delicacies such as fresh trout and crayfish. Then, we will resume our journey to 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 Sacred Valley, just a stone’s throw from the impressive Greccio Nativity Shrine.

Here, we will indulge in a moment of pure relaxation on the pretty little beach in the shade of a majestic oak tree, perhaps after a refreshing swim in the crystal clear waters or an exciting carpfishing 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.

Labro’s highest point will give us a breathtaking view of Lake Piediluco, which will be our last stop before ending this unforgettable trip.

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 toward Umbria, finding ourselves in the province of Terni despite its proximity to Rieti. This lake, along with the other five in the Rieti plain, is the most extensive 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 impressive nature surrounding the natural basin. Near the pretty village of Piediluco, we find well-equipped establishments for a day of complete relaxation or for practicing water sports such as rowing (the Piediluco Rowing Club is based here), fishing or, thanks to the fun eco-boats, we can opt for a tour of the lake, which is particularly impressive at sunset. After a regenerating swim, we take a stroll through the picturesque streets of the town, which boasts a 14th-century church dedicated to the passage of St. 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.