Lago del Segrino is a small glacial lake between the municipalities of Canzo, Longone al Segrino and Eupilio, in the heart of the Triangolo Lariano. It sits at 374 metres above sea level, covers a surface of about 0.35-0.4 km² and reaches a maximum depth of 8.6 metres: its waters, renowned for their clarity, are among the cleanest in Europe.
History
The waters, polluted in the 1960s, were restored through depuration works started in the 1970s. The lake has inspired several writers: it is cited by Giuseppe Parini in his “Alcune poesie di Ripano Eupilino”, it inspired Antonio Fogazzaro’s Lake Malombra in the novel of the same name, it appears in Carlo Emilio Gadda’s “La cognizione del dolore” — Gadda stayed as a boy at Villa Ambra, in Longone al Segrino — and it is also mentioned by Ippolito Nievo and by Stendhal, who compared it to an emerald. The painter Giovanni Segantini portrayed its landscapes, and in 1942 director Renato Castellani filmed an ice-skating scene on the frozen lake for his film “Un colpo di pistola”. A small chapel dedicated to the Madonna also stands on the shore, with a fresco depicting a local legend tied to the lake: a carter, overcome by sleep while crossing it in winter with his cart, is said to have woken up safe on the opposite shore, his oxen having miraculously crossed the frozen lake.
Protected area
Since 1984 the lake has been a Parco Locale di Interesse Sovracomunale (a local park of supra-municipal interest), managed by the consortium of the municipalities of Canzo, Eupilio and Longone al Segrino together with the Comunità Montana del Triangolo Lariano; it later also became a Site of Community Importance (SIC). The park covers 330 hectares, between 374 and 1,200 metres of elevation.
What to do
The lake is circled by a loop of about 5 km, almost entirely flat (maximum ascent 10 metres): the lakeside stretch is pedestrian-only, while an initial section runs along a pavement beside the SS41 state road. On foot it takes 45-60 minutes according to one source, up to an hour and a half according to another; by bike it takes just 10-15 minutes. The Fontanavilla trail also runs along the western shore, branching off the lakeside path towards Longone al Segrino and offering views down over the lake from above. The waters are safe for swimming, with Lido del Segrino equipped for swimming and for canoe, SUP and bike rental; a fishing reserve is also present, popular on weekends.
Getting there
A convenient starting point is the car park at Lido del Segrino, in the municipality of Eupilio. Since it is a loop, the walk can start from any point along the route, with access also from Canzo and from Longone al Segrino.
Practical information
- Loop length: about 5 km (one source gives 4.97 km); maximum ascent 10 m.
- Duration: 45-60 minutes on foot according to one source, up to an hour and a half according to another; 10-15 minutes by bike.
- Surface: pedestrian-only along the lakeside, pavement on the initial stretch along the SS41.
- Swimming: the waters are safe for swimming, with Lido del Segrino equipped for it.
- Fishing: an active fishing reserve, with authorisation.
- For more ascent: the Scioscia path climbs to Monte Scioscia (652 m), starting from Longone al Segrino.