Campotosto: Lake, Birdlife and Local Traditions

If you want to plan your stay around the landscape, seasonal birdlife and local traditions, Campotosto offers several specific points of interest. Lago di Campotosto is the largest artificial lake in Italy and the second largest in Europe. It lies in Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, between the northern slope of Gran Sasso d’Italia, the western side of the Monti della Laga and the Monti dell’Alto Aterno.

Lake and protected landscape

The area includes the protected site “Monti della Laga e Lago di Campotosto (S.I.C.)”. It encompasses an artificial lake that covers an ancient peat bog; traces of the bog have been preserved. Rare and endemic species are found in the protected area, which is also considered to have high landscape value. The preserved traces of the peat bog add a glimpse of an older layer of the landscape to the picture of the lake today.

Birdlife at different times of year

When it comes to birdlife, timing makes a concrete difference to your travel plans. In winter and during the spring and autumn migrations, thousands of waterbirds find shelter and food in the bays and along the marshy shoreline areas that emerge. These periods offer seasonal guidance if you are planning your stay around this natural attraction.

There is also a birdwatching trail at Località “La Macchiola”, created by the Reparto Carabinieri Biodiversità di L’Aquila. Together with the seasonal information about the lake, the trail offers another point of interest for travelers who are interested in birdlife.

Trails with different destinations

Two trail descriptions feature different landmarks. Sentiero 359 leads from Campotosto to Monte Cardito as part of route SI P14; near a small mountain hut, there is a 360-degree panorama. The route “(SI P14N) Campotosto - Cesacastina” leaves Lago di Campotosto via the Apennine ridge and then descends back into the valley of the Torrente Vomano.

This lets you distinguish between the destination of Monte Cardito and its panorama, and the described crossing over the ridge into the Vomano Valley. The descriptions refer to different routes, not one combined route. Trail conditions can change, so check the latest information before setting out.

Church and living tradition

The church of Santa Maria Apparente is outside the built-up area of Campotosto, near the present-day cemetery. According to tradition, it was built at the Madonna’s request, after she appeared on 2 July 1604. The story connects the site with a specific religious tradition, while its location outside the built-up area offers a different landmark for visitors.

The procession in honor of Santa Maria Apparente still takes place and passes through Campotosto. It includes firecrackers and songs sung by the local women. For the cultural side of your trip, both the tradition associated with the church and the procession that is still observed are central.

Mortadelle and Coregone

Local food culture also offers a distinctive way to experience Campotosto. Mortadelle di Campotosto preserves a rural recipe tradition passed down orally from generation to generation; the salamis are still made individually by hand. This makes their traditional production a specific point of interest if you are interested in local products.

Coregone is a typical fish of Lago di Campotosto. Fish farming takes place locally, and the young fish are then released to restock the waters. This brings together two distinct aspects: an orally transmitted recipe tradition and a fish whose farming is connected to the lake.

Discover more destinations: Trasacco, Massa D'albe, Collarmele, Carapelle Calvisio, Castelvecchio Calvisio, L’Aquila, Raiano, Celano.

Go to the main travel overview: L-Aquila.