Lago della Sella, reservoir near St. Gotthard Pass in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland
Lago della Sella is a reservoir situated above 2200 meters in the Airolo region of Ticino. The water is held by a dam approximately 36 meters tall and stretches about 1.3 kilometers long, surrounded by rocky mountain peaks including Monte Prosa and Pizzo Centrale.
The dam was constructed in the late 1940s following World War II to improve water management in the region. Swiss engineer Fritz Gigax designed and built the structure, creating a reliable water source for nearby communities.
The name refers to the saddle-shaped basin where the lake sits in the mountains. The still water and surrounding peaks create a place where visitors can experience the quiet landscape directly and feel connected to the mountain environment.
The lake is accessible from the Gotthard Pass via a paved mountain road climbing about three kilometers, reachable on foot in roughly 45 minutes. The narrow, winding road can be closed by snow in winter and is suited only for experienced drivers.
The water level fluctuates depending on power generation needs, causing the lake's appearance to change seasonally. These shifts reveal how the reservoir actively functions as part of the region's energy network rather than serving as a static landscape feature.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
