Lago di Scanno
Scanno, Italy
A mountain lake in the Abruzzo Apennines, set among beech and pine woods, with a quiet shore for walking, a few minutes' drive from the village of Scanno. Come in the morning for calm water and good light on the surrounding slopes.
Lake Scanno lies at an altitude of around 922 m between the villages of Villalago and Scanno in the Marsican Mountains, and is the largest natural lake in the Abruzzo region. It formed when an enormous landslide from Monte Rava blocked the valley of the River Sagittario. From certain viewpoints, such as the Frattura Nuova, the lake looks heart-shaped.
In places along the shore there are small, artificially created pebble beaches for swimming. The lake can be reached via the state road SS 479. In 2012 divers noticed compasses malfunctioning underwater; scientists from Rome's National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology found magnetic fields, mainly in the northern part of the lakebed. The surroundings include three hermitages from which the lake can be overlooked.
- Nearest town
- Scanno, Italy
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 41.9040, 13.8740
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Italy: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autostrade; pay at the barrier by card or cash. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Area Camper Sant'AndreaMotorhome stopover13 km from Lago di Scanno · 100 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Sant'AndreaCampsite14 km from Lago di ScannoTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping La PanoramicaCampsite14 km from Lago di ScannoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping Le FociCampsite14 km from Lago di ScannoTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Il Vecchio MulinoCampsite14 km from Lago di ScannoTentsMotorhomesElectricityShowersWaste disposalDogs allowed
- Camping Natura Le QuiteCampsite15 km from Lago di ScannoTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Italy · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Lago di Scanno?
Lago di Scanno is in Scanno, Italy, at GPS 41.9040, 13.8740. It is about 13 km from Pescasseroli.
Can you camp near Lago di Scanno?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Scanno Sosta Camper, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 25 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Lago di Scanno?
Places worth a stop nearby: Lago di Barrea (17 km), Samnite theatre of Pietrabbondante (47 km), Rocca Calascio (49 km) and Monastery of the Sacro Speco (63 km).
When is the best time to visit Lago di Scanno?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, June and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)