When you think of the Italian lakes, what comes to mind? Pretty villages cascading down the hills to the lakeside. A picturesque Mediterranean dreamscape of olives and woods. Vast expanses of water stretching out as far as the eye can see.
It’s a captivating image that draws visitors to the lakes, including Alpenwild guests who join the Italian Lakes Discovery tour.
Learn more about these famous Italian lakes. From Lake Como, to Lakes Garda and Maggiore, read about their geology and underwater landscapes.
Unveiling the Hidden Treasures: Hills and Mountains
What many people don’t imagine when they think of the lakes is the presence of high hills and mountains just behind the bustling lakeside villages.
The unique geology of the Italian lakes means that most of the surrounding land is hilly and mountainous. It steep slopes rise almost immediately to verdant ridges, and mountains reaching heights over 6,500 feet.
A Glacial Legacy: Carving the Lakes
The lakes are widely believed to be glacial lakes, and massive glaciers that were up to 3,000 feet high, shaped them. These glaciers carved out enormous basins. When they melted around 10,000 years ago, they formed an arc of moraine hills that effectively turned them into lakes.
Hidden Depths: Lake Como’s Secrets
The steep slopes that captivate us above the water’s surface continue beneath the lake’s depths, reaching remarkable depths themselves.
Lake Como, for instance, boasts a depth of 1,300 feet, making it the deepest lake outside of the Norwegian fjords. This depth, a staggering 700 feet below sea level, can be traced back to an intriguing geological event. This event is known as the Messinian salinity crisis, which occurred five million years ago.
During this crisis, the Strait of Gibraltar was completely blocked, isolating the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. This caused it to dry up almost entirely for approximately half a million years.
As a result, the sea level plummeted to an astonishing two to three miles below today’s average. This lead to the formation of the exceptionally deep northern Italian lakes.
Unveiling the Submerged Lake Wonders
Beneath the alluring waters of the Italian lakes lies a captivating and mysterious underwater landscape, reflecting the rock faces, cliffs, and pinnacles seen above. It’s a world waiting for you to explore and discover.
Discovering the Geology of Italian Lakes
The fascinating geology of the Italian lakes makes them a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Once you step outside the towns and villages, the crowds dissipate, allowing you to immerse yourself in a tranquil escape.
On the Alpenwild Italian Lakes Discovery trip, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views that are often exclusively yours. These views can rival those of an Alpine hiking holiday. The higher hikes on this trip offer panoramic 360-degree views of the lakes, charming villages, and even glimpses of the Alps that are featured on Alpenwild’s other tours.
It’s an opportunity to experience diverse landscapes in a single day. Moreover, these hikes are easily accessible, with more gradual altitude transitions compared to mountain hiking, appealing to hikers of all levels.
Italian Lakes: A Perfect Balance of Exploration and Relaxation
Rest assured, your time in the enchanting lakeside villages will not be compromised. The Alpenwild Italian Lakes Discovery itinerary includes lower-level hikes from one village to another, tranquil boat rides across the pristine waters, and leisurely breaks at lakeside cafes.
Here, you can simply unwind, observe the gentle ebb and flow of life, and savor the breathtaking views that surround you.
To embark on your own Italian lakes adventure, visit Alpenwild.com for more information and to plan your trip of a lifetime.
"Isabelle is an outstanding guide. She knows this part of the world intimately and provided a great deal of historical and natural background info which really did add an extra dimension to our trip." – J.C., Melbourne.
- Explore these Italian Lakes: Garda, Maggiore, Como - June 5, 2023