Lago di Scanno Lake
Italian lake in Abruzzo notable for heart-shaped form
In Abruzzo, Lago di Scanno lies below mountain slopes beside the medieval town of Scanno; photographers, rowers and hikers visit the lake and upland trails.
Lago di Scanno at a Glance#
Address: Lago di Scanno, Province of L’Aquila, Abruzzo, Italy
Hours: Open year-round.
Admission: Free to walk around; small boat or canoe rentals seasonally available.
About Lago di Scanno#
Lago di Scanno is a mountain lake in the Abruzzo region of Italy, located close to the town of Scanno. It is noted for its distinctive curved, heart-like outline and mountain setting.
Visitors come for lakeside promenades, photography, swimming and small-boat activity during the warmer months, with local services in the town of Scanno. Trails around the lake provide short walks and viewpoints.
The lake occupies a basin at the foot of nearby peaks and is integrated into the local mountain landscape; it has long been an attraction for residents and regional visitors rather than large-scale international tourism.
Geographically it lies in the Abruzzo Apennines near the town of Scanno, surrounded by forested slopes and mountain pastures, with road access from regional routes.
- Shape and recreation: The lake is famous for its distinctive kidney or heart-like shape and is a popular local destination for photography, swimming and small-boat use in summer.
How to Get to Lago di Scanno#
Scanno lies in the Alto Sagittario area of Abruzzo. From L’Aquila drive southeast along the A25/SP17 and follow regional roads toward Scanno (approx. 1-1.5 hours). There is limited public transport; regional buses connect to nearby towns but schedules are infrequent.
Tips for Visiting Lago di Scanno#
- Arrive at the Belvedere viewpoint above Scanno for the classic heart-shaped-lake photo at sunrise.
- Walk the lakeshore path toward Villalago for quieter sections and fishermen's spots.
- If planning to rent a boat, do so early in summer; boats are limited on busy days.
Best Time to Visit Lago di Scanno#
Best late spring through early autumn for access and watersports; shoulder seasons offer light and fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Lago di Scanno#
Lago di Scanno's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 24°C. Moderate rainfall (795 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -2° - 4° | -2° | 53 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 2.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.4h |
| February | Acceptable | -2° - 4° | -2° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 3.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.5h |
| March | Acceptable | 1° - 7° | 1° | 55 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 3.0 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 5° | 69 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Good | 8° - 17° | 12° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 2.5 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.4h |
| June | Very Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 59 mm | some cloud | 65% | 2.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.0h |
| July | Excellent | 14° - 24° | 19° | 55 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 2.4 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 14.7h |
| August | Excellent | 14° - 24° | 19° | 57 mm | mostly sunny | 55% | 2.2 m/s | 1.8 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Very Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 78 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.3h |
| October | Good | 7° - 15° | 11° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.4 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.0h |
| November | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 4° | 90 mm | partly cloudy | 87% | 2.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.7h |
| December | Poor | 0° - 6° | -1° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 89% | 3.2 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.1h |
