Like a precious pearl, the medieval village of Avigliana is surrounded by the morainic hill. Its suggestive itineraries offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in a luxuriant and protected nature. Its close symbiosis with the city, founded on respect for natural equilibrium, is today testified by the contribution from the 5 Vele of Legambiente and Touring Club.
On foot, by bicycle, by swimming: consult all the possible itineraries and, map in hand, discover the green heart of Avigliana.
With its 400 hectares, the Avigliana Lakes Natural Park is characterized by a varied ecosystem: the hills, the marshy area of the Mareschi, the two lakes. Three different, yet interconnected habitats, which give this environment a unique and precious nature. The characterizing element is represented by the Avigliana lakes which are, together with the imposing morainic formations that surround them, a testimony of the last two glacial periods. Today, on the threshold of their eleventh millennium of life, the future of the Avigliana Lakes depends on the environmental recovery and redevelopment strategies that man will be able to implement. The origin of the lakes of Avigliana and the morainic amphitheater dates back to the last two great Pleistocene glaciations: the rissian one (230,000 years ago) and the würmian one (120,000 years ago), the latter directly responsible for the formation of the lakes.
The glacial events most likely generated four lake basins, two of which, the Trana peat bog and the current wetland of the Mareschi, soon filled in by debris that descended from the surrounding hills of Avigliana. Lake basins have individual peculiarities that differentiate them from each other. The Small Lake (60 hectares, 356 m. S.l.m.) which pours its waters into the Great Lake (90 hectares, 352 m. S.l.m.), undoubtedly presents greater characteristics of naturalness as it is surrounded by woods, meadows and a discrete band of reeds.
An indispensable stop for many species of migratory birds, as well as being home to sedentary species such as the great grebe, with its very particular "mirror dance". Lake Piccolo is the perfect destination for bird-watchers who can observe mallards, herons and cormorants as well as the characteristic great grebe, a colorful and very funny bird typical of the area.
The Lago Grande, on the other hand, is surrounded by woods, meadows and reeds, welcoming lovers of nature walks and trekking. The Lago Grande, suitable for swimming, with its sailing center and nautical clubs is the cleanest lake in Piedmont and one of the cleanest in Italy. An ideal setting for engaging in sports in contact with water, such as water skiing, canoeing and kayaking, sailing. The lakefront hosts suggestive floating walkways for relaxing walks, while for the more adventurous there is an underwater via ferrata to face diving in exploration of its seabed.
https://www.turismoavigliana.it/il-parco-naturale-dei-laghi/
https://www.parchialpicozie.it/page/view/parco-naturale-dei-laghi-di-avigliana/
https://www.facebook.com/parconaturalelaghidiavigliana/
