Lake Campotosto

Lake Artificial mountain lake popular for hiking and cycling

Campotosto is a large artificial lake in Abruzzo, ringed by mountain roads and trails; people come for cycling, walking, birdwatching and access to nearby Gran Sasso landscapes.

Main image

Lake Campotosto

  • Origin: Formed when the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai blocked drainage and created a string of lakes in the Urabandai area.
Lake Campotosto
42.5345, 13.3884

How to Get to Lake Campotosto #

The lake is accessible by road from L’Aquila and nearby mountain towns. From L’Aquila follow provincial roads heading north toward the Gran Sasso regional routes; signage to Campotosto is clear in summer, but winter road conditions require caution.

Tips for Visiting Lake Campotosto #

  • Cycle around the reservoir in summer - the loop is well maintained and popular with locals.
  • If driving from L'Aquila, follow SS80 and then provincial mountain roads; visibility can be poor in winter.
  • Birdwatchers should check reedbeds and shallow bays in late spring.

Best Time to Visit Lake Campotosto #

A man-made reservoir in Abruzzo created in the 1930s; popular for cycling, walking and as a seasonal recreational area.

Summer
June-September · 15-25°C
Cycling, boating and day-trips; lake-levels usually stable.
Autumn
September-November · 5-18°C
Quieter trails and good light for photography; migrating birds may pass through.
Winter
December-March · -5°C to 8°C
Cold, sometimes snowy; roads may be icy.

Weather & Climate near Lake Campotosto #

Climate

Lake Campotosto's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -3°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (853 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
38°
Warmest Month
-15°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

43 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

February

February is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (52 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-3°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

52 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

53 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

67 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
13.2h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
73%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
14.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 17°
65%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
15.1h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

72 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Extreme
14.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm).

75 Very Good

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
13° 21°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

70 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
10° 17°
69%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

91 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
12.3h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
13°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

99 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
10.9h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (87 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

48 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

87 mm
Rainfall
3.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.0h daylight

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