The lakes of Basilicata: a guide to the most beautiful

Basilicata is a land of mountains and rivers, and among its valleys lie very different lakes: the volcanic lakes of Monticchio in the craters of the Vulture, Italy’s southernmost glacial lake on the Sirino, small mountain lakes, protected wetlands where thousands of birds stop over and the great reservoirs of Pertusillo and Monte Cotugno, which carry Lucanian water as far as Puglia. This guide covers the region’s most beautiful lakes, what to do around each one and a few itinerary ideas.

The volcanic lakes: Monticchio

In the north of the region, on Monte Vulture, two lakes fill the vents of an ancient volcano: Lago Grande (about 38 hectares) and Lago Piccolo (about 16 hectares), at about 650 metres and more than 35 metres deep. They are separated by a thin strip of land and have different colours, light green the small one and olive green the large one. They are surrounded by beech, chestnut and Turkey oak woods: since 1971 Lago Piccolo has been a regional nature reserve, created to protect a very rare moth, Brahmaea europaea, discovered here in 1963.

On the shore of Lago Piccolo, clinging to the rock, stands the abbey of San Michele: founded in the 8th century around the Angel’s Cave, home to Basilian and then Benedictine monks, it keeps 11th-century frescoes. Mineral waters known all over Italy spring at Monticchio Bagni. Around the lakes you can walk in the woods, hire boats and pedalos, and there are picnic areas and restaurants. See the Monticchio Lakes page for details.

Mountain lakes

Lake Laudemio, Italy’s southernmost glacial lake

On the Sirino massif, at 1,525 metres, lies Lake Laudemio, also called Lake Remmo: it is the southernmost lake of glacial origin in Italy. It formed behind the moraine of an ancient glacier that came down from Monte Papa (2,005 m) and covers just over two hectares, surrounded by thick beech woods and alders. It is perfect for an easy walk, even with children, and in winter it is close to the Sirino ski slopes. It lies within the Appennino Lucano National Park.

Lake Sirino

Lower down, in the Noce valley, Lake Sirino is a small natural lake of a few hectares in a hollow at the foot of the mountain, in the municipality of Nemoli. With its tree-lined shores and the village nearby, it is a quiet place for walks, fishing and cool breaks in summer, less than an hour from the sea at Maratea.

Lake Duglia, in the Pollino

In the heart of the Pollino National Park, above Terranova di Pollino, little Lake Duglia is hidden in the woods and is one of the hiking destinations on the park’s eastern side, together with the Garavina gorge.

Wetlands and birdwatching

Lake Pantano di Pignola

A few kilometres from Potenza, Lake Pantano di Pignola is a regional nature reserve and WWF oasis, recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. It is a marshy lake surrounded by reed beds, where many waterbirds stop and nest: coots, mallards, herons, kingfishers. You can visit it on foot or by bike along the paths and from the bird hides.

Lake San Giuliano

Near Matera, Lake San Giuliano was created by a dam on the Bradano river and covers more than a thousand hectares between Matera, Miglionico and Grottole. It is a regional nature reserve with a WWF oasis and also a Ramsar site: in winter and during migration it fills with ducks, herons, cormorants and other waterbirds. Around it are a pine wood, picnic areas and paths. The fossil remains of a huge prehistoric whale, «Giuliana», were found on its shores and studied by Matera’s Ridola Museum.

The great reservoirs

Lake Pertusillo

Lake Pietra del Pertusillo was created by the dam on the Agri river built between 1957 and 1962, in the Val d’Agri. The name comes from the «Pietra del Pertusillo», the spot where the river passed between two rocks as through a gap. It covers about 7.5 square kilometres, holds up to 155 million cubic metres of water and is one of the starting points of the Apulian Aqueduct. Surrounded by woods and hills, it is full of life: grey herons, mallards, grebes, red kites and, along the river, otters. You can walk, fish and cycle along the shores, and the archaeological park of Grumentum is a few minutes away.

Lake Monte Cotugno

Lake Monte Cotugno, also called Lake Senise, is the largest artificial lake in Basilicata. It was created by the dam on the Sinni river completed in 1983, the largest earth-fill dam in Europe, and can hold about 530 million cubic metres of water, which supply the Metapontino and Puglia. The vast lake, between the hills of the Sinni valley and the Pollino mountains, can be admired from viewpoints and paths along the shores.

More lakes to discover

• Lake Acerenza: a reservoir on the Bradano below the cathedral village, among wheat hills, good for walks and bike rides.
• Lakes Genzano and Serra del Corvo: two large lakes in the territory of Genzano di Lucania, in the Alto Bradano, near Monteserico castle.
• Lake Frontetusio: a small artificial lake at Palazzo San Gervasio, surrounded by a pine wood, with a path and fishing.
• Lake Ponte Fontanelle: on the Camastra stream, between Trivigno and Anzi, on the edge of the Lucanian Dolomites.

Things to do at the lakes

• Walks and picnics: Monticchio, San Giuliano, Lake Sirino and Laudemio are perfect for a day outdoors, even with children.
• Birdwatching: at Pantano di Pignola, San Giuliano and Pertusillo, especially in spring, autumn and winter; bring binoculars and wear neutral colours.
• Boats and pedalos: at the Monticchio lakes, in the warm season.
• Fishing: allowed at several lakes with a licence and following local rules; nature reserves have restrictions.
• Cycling: the roads around Pertusillo, San Giuliano and Acerenza are lovely by bike; find ideas in our guide Basilicata by bike.

Itineraries between lakes and villages

• Vulture: morning at the Monticchio lakes and the abbey of San Michele, afternoon at Melfi castle and the Aglianico cellars of Rionero and Barile. See the Vulture-Melfese area.
• Sirino and the Tyrrhenian: Lake Laudemio and Lake Sirino in the morning, then down to the sea at Maratea. See the Maratea and the Noce Valley area.
• Val d’Agri: Pertusillo, the archaeological park of Grumentum and Moliterno’s canestrato cheese, with a stop in Viggiano.
• Matera: after the Sassi, an afternoon at Lake San Giuliano and Miglionico castle. Read our Matera guide.
• Sinni valley: Lake Monte Cotugno and the Pollino villages, from Senise to Valsinni.

When to go and tips

• Spring and autumn: colourful woods, bird migration and pleasant temperatures.
• Summer: the mountain lakes and Monticchio are a refuge from the heat; August weekends can be busy.
• Winter: Laudemio can be snowy and frozen; Pantano and San Giuliano are at their best for wintering birds.
• Respect: stay on paths, don’t disturb wildlife, leave no litter. Swimming is not allowed in many reservoirs: check on site.