Lake Iseo Italy's Hidden Gem

by Clyde Dennis


Lake Iseo, also called Lake Sebina, is the fourth largest lake in the area of Lombardy Italy. The lake first formed by the Valcamonica glacier, and is 24 kilometers in length and 5 kilometers broad. This width is not always obvious because the largest island of lake in Europe, Monte Insulated, rests in the center of the lake. The lake is situated just north of Brescia and Bergamo, this being reflected in the fact that it is administered on the western bank by the Bergamo district council, and on the east bank by the Brescia district council. The Oglio river, running to the bottom of the Valley Camonica and entering between Lovere and Pisogne, feeds the lake from the north. The Valley Camonica has thermal spas and prehistoric rock carvings. At the southernmost end of the lake you'll find Torbiere, a marsh of peat and now a protected nature reserve. To the south is the valley of Franciacorta, know for producing the best sparkling wine in Italy.

On the Eastern bank, a few kilometers to the top of the lake, is the normal reservation of the pyramids of the zone, a single formation of the pillars created by unequal glacial erosion. The edge of lake of sixty-kilometer of perimeter is dotted with villages and cities, the principal ones which are Iseo, Sarnico, Lovere, Pisogne and Marone. These cities are full with interest historical and cultural, however it is pleasant to stroll along the walk or to be delayed above a drink in a coffee. There is a variety of sports of water available on the lake and fishing is popular with people of the country, tenches being the estimated hook. There is a good choice of the trails of walk and cycle, and in winter there is of north of ski of lake Iseo in the area of Presolano.

On the eastern bank, a few kilometres up from the lake, is the Natural Reserve of the Pyramids of Zone, a unique formation of pillars created by uneven glacial erosion. The sixty-kilometre perimeter lakeside is dotted with villages and towns, the main ones being Iseo, Sarnico, Lovere, Pisogne and Marone. These towns are full of historical and cultural interest, yet it is pleasant to stroll along the promenade or linger over a drink in a café. There are a variety of water sports available on the Lake and fishing is popular with the locals, tench being the prized catch. There is a good selection of walking and cycling trails, and in Winter there is skiing north of Lake Iseo in the Presolano area.

The fact that Lake Iseo is not well known outside Italy and therefore less touristy makes it more appealing. One of its biggest attractions is Monte Isola, the largest inland lake island in Europe, which is easily reached by ferry and with no cars on the island it is very peaceful, making it ideal for walking or cycling. There are also the Pyramids of Zone, where the erosion of glacial deposits has left pinnacles of earth up to ten metres high. On the western lakeshore are the bogns of Castro and Zorzino, sheets of limestone that plunge into the lake. North of the lake in Val Camino you can see hundreds of prehistoric rock carvings at the National Park of Rock Engravings and to the south of the lake is the Torbiere peat bog and Franciacorta, the area where the renowned sparkling wine is produced.


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