Sometimes to find landscapes capable of recalling Northern Europe you don’t need to travel thousands of kilometres. Just get to the heart of Feltrino, in the province of Belluno, where among mountains, woods and rocky walls there is Lake Corlo, also known as the “Norwegian fjord of Veneto”.
A basin with narrow and elongated shapes, set between the rocks, where the water reflects the green of the woods and the profile of the mountains, a place still far from large tourist flows, ideal for those seeking slow tourism, made up of walks, silence and outdoor activities.
A lake born from water and the transformation of the territory
Lake Corlo is an artificial basin created in 1954 with the construction of a dam on the Cismon stream, in the municipal area of Arsiè, in the province of Belluno.
The dam, a double arch and double curvature structure, is approximately 70 meters high and has given rise to a reservoir up to 68 meters deep, with a surface area of approximately 2.45 square kilometres.
Before the construction of the dam, this valley had a completely different face. The area now occupied by the waters was the Ligont plain, a fertile area crossed by the Cismon, mainly cultivated with corn and tobacco.
With the birth of the lake, some small villages were submerged: Giuliat, Carrer, Caballau and Chiesa disappeared under the water, while the hamlet of Rocca was partly erased. Today its ancient bell tower, left isolated on the banks of the lake, is one of the most evocative and symbolic images of the area. It is a silent presence that tells of the human cost of the transformation of the valley: thousands of people were forced to leave their homes and many inhabitants emigrated elsewhere.
A fjord landscape between Veneto and the Dolomites
The magic of Lake Corlo comes from its contrast. In the northern part the banks are gentler, with meadows and green spaces where you can stop for a picnic or simply observe the landscape. Towards the south, however, the lake changes character: the water narrows, the rocky walls become more vertical and the landscape takes on that wild aspect which has earned it the nickname “Venetian fjord”.
The mountains seem to embrace the lake, while the inlets hide small corners to be slowly discovered. It is an environment where the presence of man is discreet and where the relationship between water and territory remains the protagonist.
The tour of the lake
One of the best ways to get to know Lake Corlo is to walk the circular path that surrounds the entire basin. The itinerary is approximately 14 kilometers long, with a difference in altitude of approximately 250 metres, and alternates stretches along the water, woods, panoramic paths and evidence of local history.
Along the way you come across some symbolic elements of the lake:
The path also allows you to discover ancient abandoned districts and traces of the old railway line between Cismon and Feltre, transforming the excursion into a journey through nature and archeology of the area.
Kayaks, canoes and water sports
Lake Corlo is a perfect destination for those who love to experience nature in an active way. Its calm waters allow you to explore the most hidden coves by kayak, canoe or SUP, getting close to the rocky walls and observing the lake from a completely different perspective.
Pedaloes and areas equipped for outdoor rest are also available. The lake is not officially suitable for swimming for safety reasons, but it offers numerous possibilities for spending a day immersed in nature: walking, fishing, cycling, picnics and moments of relaxation on the banks.
Rocca and the bell tower that emerges from memory
Among the most iconic images of Lake Corlo is that of the bell tower of Rocca, the only visible element of the ancient submerged town.
When the lake was created, Rocca was profoundly transformed: part of the town ended up under the water and the old church did not survive, leaving only the bell tower as evidence of the past.
Fumegai, the ghost village above the lake
What makes the area even more fascinating is the presence of the ancient abandoned village of Fumegai, perched above the lake. A place suspended in time, where traces of the rural life of the past coexist with the natural landscape.
An experience in the heart of Feltrino
Lake Corlo is an ideal destination for those looking for more sustainable tourism that respects the places. No large infrastructures, no mass tourism: its charm comes from simplicity. A walk in the woods, a paddle on the water, a suspension bridge slowly crossed, an outdoor lunch looking at the mountains.
In the surrounding area, the small villages of Arsiè and the “Casel de Melam” Museum of Cheesemaking Art, dedicated to the traditions of milk and local peasant culture, are also worth a visit.
