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Lake Scanno – 930 m a.s.l. (surface)

Lake Scanno is the largest natural lake in Abruzzo, located at about 922 metres above sea level and framed by peaks of the Monti Marsicani such as Montagna Grande and Monte Genzana.


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Menù di navigazione

Lake San Scanno, on the edge of the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, takes its name from the nearby village of Scanno. The lake offers bathing areas, facilities, and pedal boat and watercraft rentals.



Complete Guide Lake Scanno & Surroundings

All the resources to experience the village and nature in every season

🏛️ Institutional Contacts

Municipality of Scanno 0864 74317
Local Carabinieri 0864 74322
Forest Carabinieri 0864 74341
Pro Loco Scanno 0864 747432

❄️ Cross-country Skiing & Snowshoes

Passo Godi (1630m) Nordic Ski Loop Groomed cross-country ski trails of varying difficulty, immersed in beech forests.
Panoramic Snowshoeing Monte Godi / Cresta della Ferrovia Safe snowshoe routes with views over the Sagittario Valley and the lake basin.
Equipment Rental Available on site At Passo Godi you can rent cross-country skis, snowshoes and sleds for children.

🥾 Trekking & Trails

Heart Trail About 1h (easy). The iconic viewpoint to see the heart shape of the lake.
Lake Loop A flat 5 km loop, perfect for families and relaxation.
Val Fondillo Hike among streams and beech woods in the heart of the National Park.

🎿 Ski Mountaineering

Monte Genzana (2170m) The classic route Panoramic ascent with breathtaking views over Lake Scanno and the Sirente. Significant elevation gain, ideal for experienced skiers seeking solitude.
Valle del Tasso Wild environment Evocative route winding through wide clearings and dense beech woods, often starting from the Passo Godi area.
Monte Godi Fun and Descent Open slopes and several descent variants leading back towards the pass. Great for those seeking often untouched snow.
⚠️ Safety Activity reserved for those equipped with ARTVA, shovel and probe. Always check the Meteomont avalanche bulletin before any outing.

🗺️ Local Guides and Leaders

Medium Mountain Leaders Hikes & Trekking Certified professionals for trekking, snowshoeing and ascents to the surrounding peaks.
Wildlife Watching Wildlife Observation Guided outings to spot the Marsican brown bear, wolf and deer.

IAT Office Scanno 0864 747432 Reference point for the updated list of active guides.
Local Guides Association info@visitscanno.com Contact for group bookings and tailor-made tours.

📊 Technical and Climate Data

Altitude 922 m a.s.l. Located among the Monti Marsicani, it is the highest natural lake in Abruzzo.
Maximum Depth 32 metres The average depth is around 15–20 metres.
🌡️ Water Temperature
Summer: 20°C - 24°C
Winter: 2°C - 5°C
*In winter the surface may partially freeze along the shores.
Origin Natural Dam Formed following a massive landslide that detached from Monte Genzana.

🚗 How to Get There

By Car A25 Motorway (Rome–Pescara) Exit at Cocullo tollgate. Continue on SS479 passing through Anversa degli Abruzzi and the Sagittario Gorges to Scanno.
By Train and Bus Sulmona Station From Sulmona railway station, scheduled buses (Arpa/TUA) regularly connect the city with the villages of Villalago and Scanno.
📍 Main Distances
Rome: ~160 km (2h 15m)
Pescara: ~95 km (1h 15m)
Naples: ~150 km (2h 10m)
Road Conditions The Gorges road is scenic but winding: in winter it is mandatory to carry snow chains or have winter tyres.

🏨 Where to Sleep

In the Historic Village Scattered Hotels and B&Bs To experience the authentic atmosphere of Scanno. Many accommodations are housed in historic buildings along the alleys of the centre.
Lakefront Hotels and Residences Mainly located along the Villalago shore, they offer direct access to the beaches and stunning panoramic views.
🚐 Campsites and Camper Areas Equipped areas for campers and tents are available near the lake, ideal for those seeking direct contact with nature.
Farm Stays Passo Godi and Surroundings Accommodations surrounded by greenery, perfect for those who hike or ski and want to enjoy zero-kilometre products.
Tip:

In high season (August and Christmas period) booking well in advance is strongly recommended.

📊 Essential Data

Altitude 922 m a.s.l. (Lake) / 1050 m (Village).
Useful Links visitscanno.com

🗓️ Suggested Itineraries

Half Day

  • “Heart” viewpoint: Panoramic ascent from Frattura Nuova.
  • Short loop: Walk along the northern shore with relaxation areas.
  • Village of Scanno: Historic centre and Fontana Sarracco.

Full Day

  • Complete lake loop: 5 km with picnic and photos.
  • High-altitude trekking: Monte Genzana or Montagna Grande.
  • Passo Godi: Cross-country skiing or winter snowshoeing.

📖 Diary: From the Gorges to the Village

The journey begins with the grandeur of the Sagittario Gorges, a canyon that reveals the power of the earth. Shortly after, Lake San Domenico enchants with its crystal-clear turquoise colour. Once in Scanno, swimming in the lake (warmer than expected!) and relaxing on a pedal boat open the way to the medieval village, where the scent of Pan dell'Orso welcomes every visitor among historic alleys and age-old traditions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim? Yes, in designated areas; respect the signs.

Is it suitable for families? Absolutely yes: easy routes and picnic areas.

Do you need to book? Recommended for accommodation and guided activities in high season.

Travelling through Abruzzo today, we are headed to Scanno. In reality we won’t enter the village at all; our destination is the lake. Yes, because today is Ferragosto and for our day trip we chose a destination that is unusual for us and, for me, completely unknown, since—although I’ve always been from Abruzzo—it’s only recently that I decided to dedicate myself to discovering my own land (and with great satisfaction, I must admit). So we’re headed to Lake Scanno… a stretch of highway and then we dive into a breathtaking landscape… this route holds so many surprises for us. The mountain road is beautiful, as they all are, but I’m literally left breathless when we reach the Sagittario Gorges. Here the power of nature reveals itself with overwhelming force… after the earthquake in L’Aquila we all became more educated about seismic events and feel like little experts, but here it’s truly easy to identify the fault and understand what kind of phenomenon struck us. These gorges are the emblem of the earth’s instability: narrow, deep, impressive; of a disarming beauty and so imposing that they inspire respect in any traveller who encounters them. We can’t help stopping to take some photos, observing the landscape with reverential awe… we’re a bit sorry to get back on the road, but our destination is already set; to properly visit the gorges there will be another one of our walks through Abruzzo.
Today, however, reaching our destination is harder than usual; yes, because along this road the temptations are many, and so we find ourselves making another stop when we discover a new wonder we didn’t know about (and yes, this time, to my immense satisfaction, even Ale is surprised!!!): Lake San Domenico. OK, it’s true, we were already headed to a lake, and Scanno— as I’ll soon say —is beautiful… but San Domenico… it’s truly a dreamlike place… it feels as if someone transported a piece of Sardinia into the heart of the Abruzzo Apennines!!! The water is crystal clear and from above (the road is much higher than the lake) it has an incredible turquoise colour, surrounded by rocks and wild nature (if we don’t count the road, of course). We ask around and discover that swimming is not allowed (noooo… impossible!!!) because it’s an artificial lake, but that from time to time some brave divers (the water is very, very cold!!!) go explore the depths (with prior authorization from the Municipality, of course!). We take the usual photos here too and then continue on our way… we’re headed to Scanno and we’ll get there despite all the temptations along the road!!!
We finally arrive; it’s lunchtime and the place is full of people engaging in the traditional Ferragosto activity… the picnic. We don’t feel like eating right away and then waiting three hours before getting into the water; instead, we take a walk along the lakeshore, soaking in the extraordinary view… the lake is beautiful, large, surrounded by mountains, a true postcard. We move toward the “civilized” area and decide to rent a pedal boat to enjoy a ride directly on the lake. There are many other boats around… strange… many people are wearing tracksuits or jeans… they’ll never get a tan like that!!! And they can’t swim! Yes, because this lake, unlike San Domenico, is suitable for swimming and we can’t wait to “try it”. To be honest, there’s no one in the water… are we really sure we want to swim then? Idea! We get a little closer to the shore, not too much, just enough not to be in the middle of the lake, and then we can’t resist anymore… we dive in… the water is surprisingly warm and swimming is truly pleasant… then another pedal around the lake hoping to revive our tan… and then it’s time to get back on solid ground… at this point it’s definitely time to find something to eat, a sandwich at the bar will do just fine.
We stay a little longer to enjoy the splendid landscape and then head back home, happy with all the discoveries of the day.

Lake Scanno travel guide 2026. Respect wildlife and do not leave litter.

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