Lago di Poschiavo, lake in Switzerland
Lago di Poschiavo is a large reservoir in the Poschiavo Valley in Switzerland's Grisons region. The lake stretches about two and a half kilometers long, with villages like Le Prese and Miralago at each end, surrounded by gentle mountain slopes that descend to the water.
Fishing on the lake dates back to 1010, when a nearby monastery received fishing rights. By the 13th century, these rights belonged to the House of Matsch, and fishing remained a key part of local life. A dam built between 1904 and 1907 at Miralago transformed the lake into a reservoir for storing water used in hydroelectric power generation.
The lake is deeply rooted in the local community, where generations of residents have come for leisure and fishing. The surrounding villages like Le Prese reflect traditional ways of life, and you often see people walking, fishing, or sitting by the water to enjoy the quiet.
You can reach the lake by train via the Bernina railway line, which runs along the western shore with stops at Le Prese and Miralago. Parking is available nearby, and a narrow trail circles the entire shoreline, with tunnels on the steep eastern side providing access to different spots.
The Bernina railway winds along the lake with sharp curves, offering train passengers views directly onto the water. There are plans for an ambitious pump storage project that would connect this lake to the higher Lago Bianco, potentially transforming energy storage in the region.
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