Do you dream of a silent and natural refuge to regenerate your body and mind and forget the chaos of the city? The Lake Penne Nature Reserve is the perfect place to regain balance and well-being.
This WWF oasis is located in the heart of Abruzzo, between the peaks of Gran Sasso and the Adriatic Sea. It is an invitation to slow down and let the biodiversity of the area surprise you. A place where each season offers different landscapes and authentic views, to reconnect with nature.
A true example of sustainability and respect towards the environment, created to protect and enhance the many species of plants and animals that inhabit this area.
Lake Penne Nature Reserve: A model of environmental regeneration
The Lake Penne Reserve project was born in the 1980s around an artificial lake, created by a dam. A group of young naturalists decided to transform this place into a sustainability laboratory. Thanks to their commitment, they inaugurated the Reserve in 1987.
Today, it represents the perfect example of environmental regeneration. In fact, here the protection of the ecosystem is combined with the enhancement of the local territory. Numerous Mediterranean plant species coexist here, and you can see them in the Park’s Botanical Garden. In addition, several protected animal species inhabit the Reserve, including the night heron, the otter, and the wolf.
The COGECSTRE cooperative and a scientific committee manage the reserve, which was also the first WWF oasis in Abruzzo. Its strategic location allows easy access to both the Gran Sasso and the Adriatic coast. Furthermore, the hilly landscape between 300 and 500 meters above sea level offers a mosaic of colors and environments that are constantly changing.
Not just a lake: the sustainable projects of the Nature Reserve
Various eco-sustainable projects are developing around Lake Penne, making the Reserve the perfect combination of pristine nature and environmental education. In fact, several initiatives are carried out to make this area truly unique!
First, the Botanical Garden and the organic crops. These are various areas of the natural park, where the typical species of the area are preserved and protected. For example: downy oak, willow, juniper, asparagus, butcher’s broom, and much more.
Different species characterize each small area of the park and, as the days and seasons pass, you can see their colors change. From the most intense in spring to the warmest in autumn.
The Nature Reserve also protects animal species. Among these are several types of rare birds that have found the perfect habitat here, avoiding their extinction. The best known is certainly the Night Heron, symbol of the protected area, which now nests here every year.
In addition to birds, the Park has also established various specific centers, such as the Otter Center. Here, this species swims undisturbed in the waters of the pond. In fact, visitors do not interrupt their quiet but can still observe otters and get to know them up close thanks to the glass walls of the pond.
Also, the Wolf & Hybrid Center is fundamental in this area. In fact, as the years go by, the various wolf specimens of the Gran Sasso are increasingly becoming extinct. In the Lake Penne Reserve, the protection of this species is linked to the theme of hybridization. The Apenine wolf survives thanks to the six wolf-dog hybrids that inhabit the oasis.
Finally, the Reserve strongly cares about environmental education and offers various cultural and educational paths. This way, you can learn more about the project and raise awareness of the different issues of sustainability and the protection of the environment’s flora and fauna.
What to do in Lake Penne Reserve: Birdwatching, Adventure and Relaxation
One thing is certain: in the Penne Lake Reserve, you will never get bored. The best way to discover it is to walk along the six paths that surround the lake. They also cross over the Tavo River and the Gallero stream that feeds it. The many routes are very short and easily accessible to everyone, thanks to the walkways.
For those who like to walk more, a loop of about 10 km around the lake connects them all. This is a slow and evocative trek. Walking through the woods, you feel inside an enchanted world, among various plant species recognizable thanks to the signs. For a rejuvenating stop, there are also picnic areas, from which you can see breathtaking views.
For those who are always looking for an unusual point of view, the Canadian canoe experience is perfect! Accompanied by experts from the hiking school, visitors can discover the lake in canoes, immersed in the setting of the Natural Park. Paying on the water, the landscape takes on a new perspective: silent, authentic, and deeply regenerating.
If you travel with family or are looking for a more dynamic activity, the Adventure Park in the Bosco di Collalto is perfect for combining fun and contact with nature. In this sustainable and innovative park you can experience an alternative day between fun and education. The surrounding nature strengthens bonds, teaches trust, and provides unique experiences!
Discovering the town of Penne
A few minutes from the Nature Reserve is Penne, a charming town in the province of Pescara.
Known as the “City of Bricks”, Penne surprises visitors with the widespread use of this material in its historic buildings. Built on two hills, it has very ancient origins. It was the capital of the Italic Vestini people, from whom it took its name. Penne derives, in fact, from the Italic pinna, which means hill and symbolizes the Sacred Hill and the Castle Hill.
Furthermore, the city is also connected to the history of St. Francis of Assisi.
Among churches, noble palaces, and museums, you will be enchanted by the cultural richness of this small town. It also joined the association of the most beautiful towns in Italy in 2012.
Sleep among the green: sustainable hospitality near Lake Penne
Around the Lake Penne Reserve there are several eco-friendly accommodations that allow you to expand the art of slow travel outside the protected area. After all, what’s better than a rejuvenating stay in the Abruzzo hills? Here hospitality blends with nature and flavours of the area, and it allows you to discover evocative, rural and historical settings.
We recommend Agriturismo “Il Casino di Remartello”, which is only 20 minutes from the Lake Penne Reserve. A 19th-century residence built on the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, immersed in nature and timeless stories. Here each room is taken care of in every detail to offer a unique experience between well-being, history and territory. The beating heart of the agriturismo is the restaurant, where the region’s seasonal raw materials are the base of delicious dishes.
About half an hour from the Lake Penne there is Casale il Baronetto. Here you can stay together with the two hosts Josef and Jasmine in a totally self-sufficient building and learn their philosophy of recycling and sustainability. This is much more than just a room. It is the perfect place to return to the roots, actively participating in the care of the garden and rediscovering the value of time. A suggestive angle of silence, where the footprint is almost zero.
So … close your eyes and image the reflections of the lake and the chirping of the birds that populate the Lake Penne Reserve. This is not only a destination for lovers of plants and animals. It is the promise for a return to the essentials. A small corner of Abruzzo capable of providing great emotions and reminding you that sometimes it doesn’t take much to truly feel regenerated!
Cover photo via WWF
