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.
Lake Campotosto at a Glance#
About Lake Campotosto#
Lake Campotosto
- Origin: Formed when the 1888 eruption of Mount Bandai blocked drainage and created a string of lakes in the Urabandai area.
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.
Weather & Climate near Lake Campotosto#
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -3° - 3° | -4° | 43 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 3.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| February | Poor | -3° - 2° | -5° | 52 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.9 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.4h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 5° | -2° | 53 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 2° - 9° | 2° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.5 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.2h |
| May | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 79 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.9 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 82 mm | partly cloudy | 65% | 2.7 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.1h |
| July | Very Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 72 mm | some cloud | 55% | 2.6 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 14.8h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 21° | 17° | 70 mm | some cloud | 55% | 2.4 m/s | 1.7 very high | 13.7h |
| September | Good | 10° - 17° | 13° | 91 mm | partly cloudy | 69% | 2.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.3h |
| October | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 3.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Poor | 2° - 7° | 2° | 87 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 3.2 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.6h |
| December | Acceptable | -1° - 4° | -3° | 58 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 4.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.0h |
