A little bathing lake with biotope near Bressanone in the Valle Isarco valley attracts many visitors in summer
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Fishing and bathing in Lake Varna is still prohibited. The military authority is recovering war material. The circular walk can be made partially. (updated: March 2024)
2 km north-east of the village of Varna near Bressanone in the Valle Isarco valley, the little eponymous lake, a popular excursion destination, is located. Surrounded by woods and mountain sides, it offers quiet and relaxation. In former times, there were two lakes, in 1825 one of them was transformed into meadows. The remains of the bigger lake today are called Lake Varna. Due to its low depth of max. 3.5 metres, the lake has an enjoyable temperature already at the beginning of summer. In the northern part it is allowed to swim although Lake Varna - "Vahrner See" in German, "Lago di Varna" in Italian - is in private hands.
The southern part with its reeds is a protected biotope since 1977 and houses dragonflies, frogs, toads, salamanders and newts. The lake is fed only by a little spring but due to extensive remediation measures the water quality is excellent. Near the lake there is also a restaurant and a campsite with 70 pitches. Lake Varna can also be rounded, the 45 minutes' walk proceeds partly through shady woods. Other hiking possibilities in the area are the path no. 3B - it proceeds to the Fortezza Fortress which can be visited. Or you start in the upper village of Varna and walk along the path no. 1 to the lake. Cherry, chestnut and apple trees can be found along this "Historic Route" and information boards tell about historic and scientific particularities of the area.
Altitude: 712 m a.s.l.
Surface: 1.5 hectares
Depth: max. 3.5 m
Category: bathing lake, biotope
