Lago di Bilancino, or Bilancino Lake, is an artificial fresh-water lake, and the largest, in Tuscany. Not only does it ensure water reserves for the citizens, it is also somewhere to go and enjoy the scenery and water-sports and activities. Just off the motorway exit for Barberino di Mugello, it is a little oasis of beauty and calm just a stone's throw from many of the major towns of Tuscany, a mere hour's drive from Florence and close to Pisa. There are beaches, a nature reserve, water-sports, fishing, great places to eat and much more to do, all in beautiful surrounds.
Find a luxury villa in Florence and spend a lovely day with your family or friends by the lakeside.
Find a luxury villa in Florence and spend a lovely day with your family or friends by the lakeside.
Although the lake is man-made, it's origins go much further back to just over 10 million years ago, when the compressing thrusts of the continents formed a huge basin. A lake was formed by the many different watercourses in the area which had nowhere else to go. The basin extended for about 300 square kilometres, from the Calvana Mountains to the Vicchio valley wall. Over time, sediments carried along by the streams and rivers meant the end of the lake, and it was replaced by an area of flat fertile land. The present lake was created to resolve the problems of the Florence area hydro system which previously had been prone to both flooding and drought. However, it has become more than an amenity and is now a tourist attraction.
Lake Bilancino fills one of the parts of the ancient basin and holds a vast amount of water as it did in the ancient past. It holds 69 million cubic metres of water, is 31 metres deep at its deepest point and covers an area of 5km². It was opened to the public and for swimming in 1999 and there are two beach establishments on the shores of the lake today, including the Bahia Beach Club, which offers visitors windsurfing, sailing and canoeing facilities as well as providing chair and umbrella rentals and a restaurant.
The irregular shoreline is dotted by many stony beaches, woods and scrub. Wildflowers carpet the surrounding landscape, and green rolling hills frame the lake.
To the northeast, there is a WWF nature preserve called Gabbianello, which is made up of a wetlands habitat and woods. Here you can spot migratory and water birds, such as crane, stork, geese, flamingos, swans and falcons and go hiking and mountain biking. As noted, the lake is perfect for those interested in water-sports, such as canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Fishing is also possible with carp, chubs, perches and pikes all being plentiful in the waters of the lake.
If you're looking for fun activities, a beautiful setting, a family-friendly environment or relaxation, Bilancino Lake can offer all this and more while keeping you close to the cultural centres of Tuscany such as Florence.
The irregular shoreline is dotted by many stony beaches, woods and scrub. Wildflowers carpet the surrounding landscape, and green rolling hills frame the lake.
To the northeast, there is a WWF nature preserve called Gabbianello, which is made up of a wetlands habitat and woods. Here you can spot migratory and water birds, such as crane, stork, geese, flamingos, swans and falcons and go hiking and mountain biking. As noted, the lake is perfect for those interested in water-sports, such as canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing. Fishing is also possible with carp, chubs, perches and pikes all being plentiful in the waters of the lake.
If you're looking for fun activities, a beautiful setting, a family-friendly environment or relaxation, Bilancino Lake can offer all this and more while keeping you close to the cultural centres of Tuscany such as Florence.
