Lago di Fiastra

A great alternative to the beach

Fiastra lake is an ideal spot to cool off on a hot summer’s day and an alternative to the coastal beaches.

Surrounded by mountains, the drive is winding but beautiful and well worth the trip.

The water’s edge is broad and bathing is possible. By the lake at San Lorenzo al Lago there is a bar with sun loungers and parasols for hire. Also in the village is a really good gelateria and several restaurants, or why not pack a picnic?

Take advantage of the number of the activities on offer such as fishing, canoeing or rent a pedal boat. Hiking and mountain biking guided excursions are available taking in tours of the lake or into the mountains. In winter you can also go skiing in the nearby mountains or participate in organized snowshoeing.

For hikers Fiastra Lake is the starting point of the routes that lead to the peaks of Pizzo Berro and Monte Priora, to the gorges of Fiastrone and Lame Rosse which is a gravel formation of peaks and towers held together with clay and silt, also called the canyon of Le Marche.

The 4 kilometer long artificial lake, owned and managed by the electrical company Enel was built in the 1950’s and is the largest hydroelectric lake in Le Marche. The Fiastrone river is dammed at an altitude of 640 m above sea level and the lake has a capacity to hold 20.4 million cubic meters of water.

On your return journey take the road running alongside the lake on the SP 91 towards Santa Maria di Pieca. The road descends quite rapidly and winds its way through some spectacular deep cut gorges and woodlands.

If you fancy stopping for something to eat on the way back join the SP 78 and follow the signs for Macerata for 20km. Here you will find Norcineria La Centrale del Gusto. This is a canteen style operation with no table service and where you sit on wooden benches, it's not the ritz but but the meat is excellent - check them out on the Tripadvisor.it website. They are open all day on Saturday and Sunday and weekdays 10.30am to 4.00pm and 6.30pm to 10.00pm except Tuesday when they are closed.