Nestled at the entrance of the Susa Valley in Piedmont, just a short distance from Turin, the Avigliana Lakes Natural Park

is a place where nature speaks in whispers of water, wind and ancient glaciers. Here, landscapes unfold slowly, revealing a harmonious encounter between alpine profiles, glacial lakes and protected wetlands.

To step into the Parco Naturale dei Laghi di Avigliana is not simply to visit a natural area in northern Italy — it is to experience a living landscape shaped by time, light and silence.

Where Avigliana Lakes Natural Park Is Located

The Avigliana Lakes Natural Park lies in the municipality of Avigliana, in the Metropolitan City of Turin, within the scenic setting of the Susa Valley (Val di Susa). Its strategic yet peaceful location makes it one of the most accessible natural parks in Piedmont, while still preserving an atmosphere of calm and authenticity.

Framed by the first ridges of the Alps, the park stretches across morainic hills formed thousands of years ago by retreating glaciers. These geological movements sculpted the terrain and gave birth to two precious jewels of water: Lake Grande (Lago Grande) and Lake Piccolo (Lago Piccolo).

The park today stands as one of the most important wetland ecosystems in the region, recognized for its ecological value and biodiversity.

The Two Glacial Lakes of Avigliana

At the heart of the park lie the two lakes, each with its own personality and emotional landscape.

Lake Grande (Lago Grande)

Lake Grande is the larger and more open of the two. Its wide surface reflects the surrounding mountains and sky, transforming throughout the day as light shifts from the pale tones of early morning to the golden glow of sunset.

Gentle ripples carry the reflections of clouds and forests, creating an ever-changing painting on water. Along its shores, reeds sway in the breeze, and wooden walkways invite quiet observation. The atmosphere is vibrant yet peaceful — a delicate balance between movement and stillness.

The lake’s perimeter paths offer panoramic views where the natural scenery unfolds in layers: blue water, green vegetation, and the alpine backdrop rising beyond.

Lake Piccolo (Lago Piccolo)

More intimate and secluded, Lake Piccolo is often described as one of the cleanest lakes in Piedmont. Surrounded by dense vegetation and protected wetlands, it feels almost untouched.

Here, silence deepens. The water often lies perfectly still, mirroring the sky with astonishing clarity. Mist frequently hovers over the surface at dawn, softening the contours of the landscape and creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Walking near Lake Piccolo feels contemplative — each step becomes slower, each sound more distinct. A distant bird call, the rustle of leaves, the faint scent of damp earth: every detail becomes part of a quiet sensory dialogue with nature.

Biodiversity and Protected Wetlands

The Avigliana Lakes Natural Park is far more than a scenic destination. It is a protected natural area that safeguards one of the most valuable wetland habitats in northern Italy.

The marshes and reed beds surrounding the lakes create an ideal environment for wildlife. Numerous bird species find refuge here, including:

• Great crested grebes
• Coots
• Mallards
• Herons
• Migratory waterfowl

During certain seasons, birdwatching becomes an immersive experience, as the wetlands turn into a vibrant crossroads of migration routes.

Beyond birdlife, the ecosystem supports amphibians, fish, insects and small mammals. Foxes, squirrels and hedgehogs move discreetly through the wooded areas, while dragonflies glide above the water during warmer months.

The vegetation shifts subtly from lakeside willows and poplars to mixed forests on the surrounding hills. In spring, wildflowers punctuate the green landscape with delicate bursts of color. In autumn, the foliage transforms into deep golds, fiery reds and warm ambers, turning every path into a corridor of light.

Scenic Trails and Panoramic Views

The walking trails of Avigliana Lakes Natural Park weave through forests, meadows and lakeshores, offering routes suitable for gentle strolls or longer nature walks. The terrain is generally accessible, making it ideal for slow exploration.

Paths around Lake Grande allow uninterrupted views of the water, while slightly elevated trails lead to breathtaking panoramic points on the morainic hills. From certain vantage points, visitors can glimpse the iconic Sacra di San Michele, perched dramatically on Mount Pirchiriano and overlooking the valley.

The interplay between natural and historical landmarks enriches the experience. As you walk, the landscape opens gradually — first the shimmer of the lake, then the layered hills, and finally the distant alpine peaks.

Every trail invites reflection. The rhythm of footsteps against gravel, the filtered sunlight through leaves, the fresh alpine air — all contribute to a sensation of grounding and renewal.

A Landscape Shaped by Glaciers

The origins of the Avigliana Lakes date back to the last Ice Age. As glaciers advanced and retreated, they carved deep basins into the terrain and deposited morainic material that now forms the surrounding hills.

This geological heritage gives the park its unique structure. The rolling elevations create natural viewpoints, while the glacial basins hold the tranquil waters that define the landscape.

Walking through the park means traversing a living chapter of Earth’s history. Each curve of the land, each subtle rise, is a reminder of powerful natural forces that shaped this peaceful environment thousands of years ago.

Avigliana and the Dialogue Between Nature and History

Beyond its natural beauty, the nearby medieval town of Avigliana adds a historical dimension to the park experience. Its ancient streets, castle ruins and stone architecture echo centuries of cultural heritage.

The dialogue between the calm waters of the lakes and the historical presence of the town creates a profound sense of continuity. Nature and history coexist without interruption, each enhancing the other.

The park thus becomes not only a sanctuary of biodiversity, but also a space where human presence has adapted respectfully to the surrounding landscape.

An Emotional Experience in the Heart of Piedmont

To visit the Avigliana Lakes Natural Park is to rediscover the value of slowness. It is the golden reflection of sunset spreading across Lake Grande. It is the thin veil of morning fog rising from Lake Piccolo. It is the sensation of cool air against the skin while mountains stand silent in the distance.

Each season reshapes the emotional landscape:

• Spring awakens the wetlands with life and color.
• Summer fills the air with warmth and vibrant reflections.
• Autumn paints the forest in dramatic hues.
• Winter brings stillness, soft light and crystalline clarity.

In every moment, the park offers a different interpretation of beauty.

The Avigliana Lakes Natural Park remains a rare balance between accessibility and authenticity — a place where alpine scenery meets lacustrine tranquility, where biodiversity thrives, and where silence becomes a language of its own.

Long after leaving its shores, what lingers is not only the image of water and mountains, but the feeling of harmony — a quiet awareness that, in this corner of Piedmont, nature reveals itself gently, patiently, and profoundly.