For lovers of nature and scenic tourism, the Campania is one of Italy's most suitable destinations. With its great geographical variety, the region offers the opportunity to visit many and varied natural beauties. These include the picturesque settings of its lakes greater. Here are some of the most beautiful Campania lakes to visit where breathtaking views, hiking, picnicking or pure relaxation accompanied by the calm of the placid waters lacustrine.

Lakes in and around Naples

In the metropolitan city of Naples, between the Phlegraean Fields and inland areas, there are wonderful lakes to be discovered. The best known is perhaps the majestic Lake Avernus in Pozzuoli, near the archaeological zone of Cuma. It is an ancient caldera now extinct and owes its name avernus, meaning birdless, to the probable gaseous fumes that made the area hostile to birds in ancient times. Today it is an area of reserve integral where you can practice birdwatching to observe the wintering species and anatids that permanently inhabit the lake's waters, enjoy outdoor sports, or relax on one of the many benches arranged along the trail.

Clubs, dog-friendly areas and areas completely dedicated to children make the place a suitable destination for many occasions. At one point on the trail also rise the Temple of Apollo, the Cave of Cocceio and the Cave of the Sibyl.

Not far from Lake Avernus is the small basin of the Lake Lucrino, originated in ancient times thanks to the force of the sea, which little by little, through the motion of its waves, deposited a tongue of sand in front of a natural inlet. The hot springs in the area have always fascinated and attracted the population. In Roman times, villas and patrician residences stood here, which today have given way to modern housing, cottages and restaurants that enjoy a very special setting. Famous in the area is the spa facility of the Stoves of Nero and the eponymous equipped beach lido at the foot of Monte Grillo, where boiling thermal waters are piped into special pools. Moving toward Bacoli we come across the fascinating Lake Fusaro. The lake shares a similar origin to Lucrino as its perimeter was generated over time by sea waves. Mussels and oysters were widely cultivated in the salt lake. Pearl of the lake is the stunning Vanvitellian Casina, a hunting lodge built at the behest of King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon that stands in the middle of the waters of the lake, connected to the land by a charming little wooden bridge. A place surrounded by greenery, suitable not only for families and get-togethers but also for splendid walks for couples. At sunset, the lake becomes a magical and enchanted place where the sunlight highlighting the profile of the Casina Vanvitelliana gives truly unique spectacles.

Between the area of Bacoli and Monte di Procida, stands the beautiful Lake Miseno. The basin covers an area of about 40 hectares. In Roman times the lake, together with the Miseno roadstead, formed a complex that was identified by the name Porto di Miseno. Here ships docked and were sheltered from the impetuousness of the sea, while in the nearby lake used as a staging dock, they were repaired, rebuilt or outfitted. Separated from the sea by a wide tongue of sand, it has two mouths: one located in Miliscola Bay and the other near Cape Miseno.

Today the lake is a pleasant place for daytime and evening walks, thanks in part to the various activities that take place on its shores where refreshment stands, plant sales, and a green area are arranged where you can relax on one of the many benches.

The largest coastal lake in the Naples area is the Lake Homeland which rises between Castel Volturno and Giugliano in Campania. A saltwater lake, fed by both small freshwater streams and sea water, which has made possible the development of a very special ecosystem with a fruitful fish and marsh bird fauna, so much so that the lake is part of the Volturno River Nature Reserve since 1999. On the shores of this heart-shaped perimeter lake, water sports such as sailing and rowing and events of national and international interest are regularly practiced.

Lakes in the province of Caserta

There are two large lakes in the Caserta area known and frequented by hikers and out-of-towners. The first is the Falciano Lake Nature Reserve, located between Falciano del Massico and Mondragone. A protected area established in 1993 to protect this environment that over time has suffered pollution and various ecological imbalances caused by the hand of man. Despite everything, the reserve still presents a ecosystem very interesting and diverse with about 80 species of birds inhabiting its wetland environments, where swamp reed, cattail, and cutlass grow, and the surrounding forests of white willow, aspen, and alder. The lake, originally called Lake Carinola, is of volcanic origin.

The other famous lake in Caserta is the Lake Matese. Of karst origin, it originated by the effect of water on the limestone rock terrain. Its cold waters, fed by melting snow from the peaks surrounding the lake, are home to many fish species. Carp, trout and pike are especially sought after by fishing enthusiasts who routinely visit the lake's shores. Boat rides, nature excursions, hiking, trekking and birdwatching can be organized locally due to the presence of several species of ducks and occasionally of the white stork.

Lakes in the Avellino area

In Avellino, not far from the Montella area, stands the Lake Laceno, surrounded by a dense forest of conifers and beeches, such as oaks, maples, and chestnut trees where many passerine birds, diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, as well as mammals such as hares, hedgehogs, beech martens, wild cats, and wolves, and some peculiar reptiles and amphibians such as the salamander and the newt live. The lake is situated on a plateau that makes the environment very special while the area around its shores looks like an expanse of green meadow, a few meters away are the ski slopes. The snow in fact remains protected from the sun's rays thanks to the presence of the trees of the forest. The lake, fed by the waters of the Tronola Creek, was originally submerged in a marshy area, which was later reclaimed to allow cultivation.

In Monteverde, however, is located the reservoir of the Lake St. Peter. Built between the 1950s and 1960s to dam the waters of the Osento River with this large dam, the area has been enriched with flora and fauna that make this basin a very interesting place. Oak forests where tall trees of downy oak, alder, manna ash, rowan and black ash grow alternate with wetland environments. The body of water provides shelter and sustenance for many animals, but above all it plays a key role as a stopover during the journeys of migratory birds.

Also located in the province of Avellino is the Lake Conza, a reservoir of as much as 800 hectares dating back to the 1970s made for irrigation, clean energy and drinking water. Fed by the Ofanto River, it has various environments such as forest, steppe and wet lake areas as well as pastures. Many migratory birds find refreshment in these environments by stopping during their long journeys. At least a hundred different species have been observed, and the area is now one of the WWF Wildlife Oases.

The lakes of Benevento

In the area of Benevento, specifically in Telese Terme, stands the Lake Telese. Famous tourist destination especially in the 1970s when bathing was made possible among the waters of the lake until some accidents interdicted the activity. Today on its shores there are several accommodations that offer the opportunity to stay here. It is also possible to organize picnics or eat at restaurants in the area. The lake is of karst origin and was formed by the 1349 earthquake, and today it is home to common anatids such as ducks and geese but also to exceptional guests such as teal and gadwall.

Exceptional note deserves theCampolattaro Lake Oasis which rises in the alluvial plain of the Tammaro River. Today it is an area protected by the WWF where a colony of herons is settled and where expert ornithologists monitor the birdlife while also dealing with environmental education. The area is characterized by the typical wetland ecosystem where the cattail and marsh reed grows luxuriantly while in nearby areas there is a forest of willows, alders and poplars and mixed areas with turkey oaks, maples, downy oaks and ash trees. During the spring season the meadows are colored with flowers. In addition to common daisies, brooms, daffodils and violets bloom. Several species of wild orchids surprise enthusiasts with their beautiful petals.

The lakes around Salerno

Salerno also has lakes to discover. Within the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park lies the reservoir of the Lake Sabetta, fed by the waters of the Bussento River, was built in '58 for the production of clean electricity. Today it is a stop for tourists, nature enthusiasts who visit the park.

In the Sele-Tanagro River Nature Reserve we find the beautiful Lake Persano. Built a few years before Sabetta, it was created in 1932 to assist in the irrigation of adjacent areas by conveying water from the Sele River. Today the lake's environments are included as an Oasis of the rare otter. What are you waiting for to enjoy a relaxing picnic near one of these wonderful lakes?