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Established in 1980, Avigliana Lakes Natural Park is at the beginning of Susa Valley, at the foot of Mount Pirchiriano, where the ancient “Sacra di San Michele” abbey stands, just over 12 miles from Turin.

Despite its limited extension, this area includes a remarkable variety of different environments and natural habitats. It is, in fact, made of the marshy area around the two small lakes of morainic origin which, together with the imposing morainic formations around them, are the result of the last two glacial periods.

“Lago Grande” (“The Big Lake”), once called “Lago della Madonna”, located 1.155 ft above sea level, has an extension of 225 acres and a maximum depth of 85 ft: today, it is once again suitable for swimming and features a floating walkway for the tourists along its northern shore.
The interesting Sanctuary of “Madonna dei Laghi” is just nearby.

“Lago Piccolo” (“The Small Lake”), also called “Lake Trana”, is located at an average altitude of 1.167 ft above sea level and has an extension of 151 acres hectares and a maximum depth of 40 ft: it is not suitable for swimming because it is a highly appreciated naturalistic oasis; on its shores, there are meadows, a strip of woods and some thick reeds.

Swamp fauna

The marshy area around the two lakes, especially around “Lake Piccolo”, is home to several species of birds including grey herons, mallards, coots, moorhens and grebes, whose courtship dance, called the “mirror dance”, can be observed in late winter – early spring. Later in the year, birdwatchers can observe the floating nests and the chicks carefully carried around on the backs of their parents.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)