10 famous natural wonders in Lazio

Turano Lake (Lago del Turano) and its zigzagging coastline are a delight for tourists. It was created artificially in 1939 by damming up the river of the same name. It spans about 6 miles at an altitude of 536 meters in the Monti del Cicolano (Cicolano mountains) in the province of Rieti. There's a 22-mile path around the lake where you can enjoy charming perspectives as well as little inlets and beaches that are perfect for a rest or even a picnic.

If you're an avid hiker or photographer, be sure to visit Fosso dell’Obito, a picturesque gorge between Monte Navegna (Mount Navegna) and Monte Cervia (Mount Cervia).

The Lake and Nature Reserve of Posta Fibreno (Riserva Naturale del lago di Posta Fibreno) is characterized by its karst topography and spans about 400 hectares around the lagoon of the same name. It's beneath the Monti Marsicani (Marsicani Mountains) in the Parco Regionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise (Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park).

The lake is fed by underground springs, and within it is a rota, a peat and shrub islet that moves with the wind and currents. The varied fauna includes noctules, hedgehogs, squirrels, garden dormice, field voles and mice. Birdlife includes coots, garganey, common teals, moorhens and gray herons. Fun fact: The water supplying the lake flows so slowly that its temperature remains around 11°C year-round.

The Park of Bracciano and Martignano (Parco di Bracciano-Martignano) takes its name from the 2 lakes that make up 40% of this area, spanning over 16,000 hectares. Located between the provinces of Rome and Viterbo, it includes about a dozen municipalities, including the capital and picturesque villages like Sutri, Anguillara Sabazia and Trevignano Romano. It was founded in 1999 with the aim of protecting the green hilly and agricultural neighborhoods around Rome.

Its volcanic landscape is due to eruptive geological events that took place 400,000 years ago. The wide valley that's home to the shimmering waters of Lago di Bracciano (Lake Bracciano) is 165 meters deep and was once the magma chamber of Vulcano Sabatino (Sabatino Volcano).

The Lake Vico Natural Reserve (Riserva Naturale del Lago di Vico) spans over 3,200 hectares in the territories of Ronciglione and Caprarola in the province of Viterbo. Located between Lago di Bracciano (Lake Bracciano) and Lago di Bolsena (Lake Bolsena), this protected area dates back to 1982 and is distinguished by its naturally wooded and marshy environments.

The plant life includes abundant beeches and turkey oaks, and water birds inhabit the marshes, reed beds, rushes and natural lagoons, which are also brimming with freshwater fish. If you need to rest after hiking there, we suggest stopping off at the village of San Martino di Cimino, at the foot of the Monti Cimini (Cimini Mountains).

The Tor Caldara Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale di Tor Caldara) is in the municipality of Anzio, a seaside resort on the Tyrrhenian coast in the province of Rome. This confined area is a treasure trove for lovers of natural beauty. The ground is volcanic and sulphurous, while the vegetation is typical of Mediterranean scrub, with holm oaks, turkey oaks, durmasts and cork oaks.

Along the coast are phenomena typical of volcanic landscapes, including gas leaks from the earth (the so-called fumarole), muds so hot they boil and, not far from the coast, a formation of layers of clay and sulfur. It's worth visiting the Giardini della Landriana (Landriana Gardens) and Nettuno, a small seaside town, located about 7 miles from the reserve.

Duchessa Mountains Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale Montagne della Duchessa) in the Central Apennines is home to the Duchessa massif and is set among peaks like Morrone (2,141 meters high) and Murolungo (2,184 meters), with a natural rocky bulwark looming 800 meters up to the Valle di Teve (Teve Valley). Spanning 3,500 hectares, it's one of Lazio's most rugged mountainous neighborhoods.

Its evocative name was given by Francesco De Marchi in the 1500s in honor of Margaret of Austria, Duchess of Piacenza and Parma. The reserve’s in the Abruzzo mountain range of Velino and boasts extraordinary flora and fauna. Take stunning walks through beech forests, and you might even spot the eagles that dominate the skies.

Mount Navegna and Cervia Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale Monte Navagna e Monte Cervia) is the place for you if you love the tranquillity of nature. In the province of Rieti, the park spans 3,600 hectares and includes dense woodland and glimpses of natural beauty. There's an ample network of cycle paths, and you can do some canoeing or water skiing on the glassy waters of Lago di Turano (Lake Turano) and Lago del Salto (Lake Salto).

The 2 natural lagoons mitigate the climate and make for thriving vegetation. Of special interest are the downy oak trees that grow here, reaching 22 meters tall and over 5 meters in diameter. The fauna includes golden eagles, wildcats and wolves.

The Park of Roman Castles (Parco dei Castelli Romani) is a strikingly beautiful area on the outskirts of Rome. It spans about 10,000 hectares and contains the Vulcano Laziale (Latium Volcano) caldera. The land's history stretches back to the mists of time, 700,000 years ago. The volcanic activity stopped 20,000 years ago, giving way to the zigzag of hills, mountains, valleys and lakes.

The park is home to wolves, deer, porcupines, badgers, weasels, stone martens, squirrels and foxes. Fish including perch, pike and carp live in Lago di Albano (Lake Albano) and Lago di Nemi (Lake Nemi), and you can try your hand at amateur fishing.

Insugherata Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale dell’Insugherata) is located in the northwestern part of Rome and is easily reachable by automobile from the city centre. This natural space, right next to the urban fabric, has been protected since 1997. It contains archeological finds, and on sunny days you can see Castelli Romani (Roman Castles) and Monti Sabatini (Sabtini Mountains) from its hills.

Themed walks following animal tracks are often organized on the reserve, as are orienteering courses for kids and even nighttime excursions for discovering the fascinating world of birds of prey.

Veio Park (Parco di Veio) is located between the Cassia and Flaminia consular roads and covers 15,000 hectares of land, 1,200 of which are made up of pasture and woods. Established in 1997 by the Region of Lazio, the park includes part of Rome and 8 more towns of varying sizes, with a total of 120,000 inhabitants.

In terms of space, it ranks fourth among Lazio's nature reserves, following the Apennine mountain parks. Between one walk and another, you can admire archeological remains from the Etruscan and Roman era, along with remnants from the Middle Ages.