Lake Vernago

Lake Vernago - "Vernagt See" in German, "Lago di Vernago" in Italian - is a reservoir in the middle of the Val Senales valley in the west of Merano at 1,689 m a.s.l. It is fed by the Rio Senales brook. The reservoir originated in the 1950s, when a 65 metres high dam wall was built and eight farms as well as a church were flooded. Sometimes still today the steeple can be seen at low water! The lake, the proximity to the place of discovery of Oetzi and the skiing area on the Val Senales Glacier attract a large number of people. The Lake Trail takes you round the reservoir in about 2 hours and features waterfalls, beautiful spots and great views.

Above the lake - and reachable from the path - you can find the Oetzi High-Rope Park. If you want to hike further, you can continue to the place of discovery of Oetzi at the Giogo di Tisa mountain pass (3,200 m a.s.l.). The small village of Vernago al Lago is situated at almost 1,700 m a.s.l. at the lakeside. Numerous fish species spash about in the waters, e.g. brown trouts, rainbow trouts and pikes, which are very popular with fishermen. Therefor you need an Italian state licence (available at the Merano Tourist Office) as well as a day ticket (available in the tavern in Vernago al Lago).

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Altitude: 1,689 m a.s.l.
Surface: 100 hectares
Depth: max. 56 m
Category: reservoir

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