Three of the cleanest lakes in Europe

Footloose route Southern Lakes is open from April – October

June – October are the best months for swimming in the lakes.

Lakes Bracciano, Vico  and Bolsena, north  of Rome,  are the result of volcanic activity that began 1,400,000 years ago causing  emergence of the Cimino  Volcano (south of  Viterbo).    The volcano reached its most active period – producing lava cones, around 950,000 years ago.

Lakes Bracciano and Vico are more recent, dating from 400,000 years ago, with the majority of the caldera and lava flows dating from between 300,000 to 150,000 years ago.

400,000-year old Lake Vico

Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic  crater lake in Europe, was formed around 370,000 years ago following the collapse of a caldera, in  the Volsinii volcanic complex, into a deep aquifer beneath  the underlying of Miocene-Pliocene sedimentary sands and clays.  The two islands in the southern part of Lake Bolsena were formed by underwater eruptions following the initial collapse of the caldera.  Roman historic records note incidences of activity in  the Volsinii volcanic area as recently as 104 BC, since when it has remained dormant.

Approach to Lake Bolsena

The area’s porous volcanic terrain has been subject to water erosion, especially by rivers, creating  deep ravines and gorges.  The occurrence of sulphurous hot springs are reminders of  the area’s distant origins.   Land surrounding the lakes, whether farmland, forests or inhabited,  is very  strictly controlled, preserving the ecology and  natural beauty of each area , whilst water in all the lakes (where you can swim), is some of the cleanest in Europe.  Lake Bracciano (image at top) is the principal source of drinking water for Rome.

Other Footloose routes through this ancient area include: Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto, Roman Roads to Orvieto and Ancient Volcanic Landscapes (with stays at Lake Bolsena); and Approach to Rome (with a stay at Lake Vico).