Top 4 Lakes around Voltago Agordino

Welsperg Lake is one of the symbols of the Canali Valley, its waters reflecting the peaks of the southern slope of Cimerlo. Near the lake is the "Palù Grant," a large marsh, an area of botanical and wildlife interest, home to rushes and thistles, as well as the typical common reed, and several interesting orchid species. In recent years, the lake has undergone significant environmental redevelopment and renaturalization, recreating a suitable habitat for amphibians and trout. This project has led to the naturalistic landscaping of the banks, the creation of floating and semi-submerged vegetated areas, and the establishment of refuge zones. The lake is also home to a significant number of crayfish, an aquatic invertebrate of considerable scientific value.

Commonly known as Laghetto Castrona (or Lago Turchese), it is a small body of water suitable for swimming created by an artificial dam on the Canali stream. Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and white sandy shores, it lies between Villa Welsperg and the Al Cacciatore hotel, near a convenient parking area.

A beautiful pond to observe full of fish and interesting plants

Beautiful lake to observe, especially for the presence of animals and plants.

Mouth of Lake Mis. Lake Mis is known primarily for its emerald-green pools, formed by erosion, and the Cascata della Soffia waterfall.

This segment passes in front of Villa Welsperg, home of the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Natural Park (https://www.parcopan.org/) "The protected area is made up of typically mountainous environments, but within its almost 20,000 hectares the most varied magical places are represented: imposing walls of white dolomite, vertical cliffs of dark porphyry, curious geological forms, impervious valleys, gorges carved out by impetuous torrents, arid rocky plateaus and small glaciers, gentle alpine pastures and round flowering meadows, clear bodies of water, witnesses of more imposing and ancient glaciers, suggestive and centuries-old forests that amplify the voices of nature and where there is no fairy tale 'encounter with wildlife.' :ale a stop to visit the villa with its installations and the surrounding environments. "Built in 1853, it is located near the lake of the same name, once the residence of the Welsperg Counts, modernly renovated and equipped, it has been the headquarters of the Park Authority since 1996 and houses its administrative and technical offices and the Visitor Center. Villa Welsperg is a complex of three buildings, the villa itself, the church and the barn, surrounded, or rather immersed in a garden, on the edge of a large meadow-pasture which, in the lower part, fades into a small but interesting peat bog ." ( https://www.parcopan.org/poi/villa-welsperg-2/)

But did you know that the lake is part of the park of a 19th-century villa? The path to Villa Welsperg begins behind the lake, at the Le Guane bar-chalet. Suitable for everyone, the route enters the green area around the gardens of the villa, the little church and the barn for about 1 km. Once you have visited the interior of the villa, all that remains is to rest and eat a picnic lunch, provided that the guanas don't take the food from your mouth! It is said that in fact, in the vicinity of the lake and the ancient Castel Pietra, guanas once lived, fantastic creatures with long blond hair, dressed in light and transparent clothes, who enchanted travellers with their provocative charm. Could the ruins of that ancient castle that stands on top of an erratic boulder be their stronghold? That castle, like the villa, was built by the Welspergs. ...an, I forgot! If I told you that the lake is not natural, would you believe me? It was also built by the Welsperg family as a hunting lodge. But who were the Welsperg family? The history of this lake dates back a long time: it was mentioned in the Urban Journal of Giacomo Castelrotto, in 1565. When meadows, fields, woods and mountain pastures were not crowded with tourists but surrounded this valley while it was lulled by the agricultural rhythms of mowing, the Welsperg family of Dobbiaco and faithful allies of the Austrian Habsburgs dominated the entire Primiero valley for centuries, first with the title of feudal lords, then of Habsburg counts. I imagine that in 400 years of reign there was still no TrentinoGuestCard that would have greatly simplified travel, hospitality in other people's villas and castles, and hunting-tasting activities in the area.

It is not just a “postcard lake”, but a living lake, where humans, plants and animals coexist. In fact, in this area the decrease in slopes favors water stagnation that forms a network of wetlands. Near the lake is the “Palù Grant”, the large marsh, an area of botanical and faunal interest that hosts rushes and marsh thistles as well as the typical Water reed (Phragmites australis) and some interesting species of orchid: Orchis tridentata, Epipactis palustris and Dactyloriza traunstaineri. This habitat is much appreciated by amphibians, trout and the crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes), a species now rare in Trentino due to pollution and artificialization of the waters. In addition to the ecosystem recreated by the local park authority, bathing, fishing and exploration are possible in this place. The path around the lake can be traveled comfortably and safely by families, grandparents, children, couples, photographers,... You can then continue your walk for 3.5 km on the Sentiero delle Muse Fedaie (signposted "MF"), named in honor of the Greek Muses (divine entities connected with nature) and the feda, that is, the sheep of Val Canali. It is an educational itinerary, designed for adults and children, which clarifies how important the maintenance of biodiversity is.