Lago del Brugneto

Lago del Brugneto is an artificial lake in the mountains of Liguria, set at about 777 meters elevation with forested slopes rising around its shores. The water basin is surrounded by wooded hillsides and creates a striking contrast between the calm surface and the steep terrain that frames it.

The lake was created in 1958 when a dam was built, submerging two small towns to provide water for the surrounding region. This transformation permanently altered the valley and the lives of those who had lived there.

The lake sits within Parco Regionale Naturale dell'Antola, a protected area where local farming traditions and traditional crafts remain part of daily life. Visitors can see how the community values both the landscape and the skills passed down through generations.

A walking trail of roughly 13 kilometers circles the lake and connects multiple viewpoints around the basin. The route is suitable for hiking and biking, and the path itself provides educational information about the natural environment.

Local stories speak of a submerged bell tower that allegedly emerges from the water during droughts, though no one has ever confirmed it exists. This tale keeps alive the memory of the towns that were flooded when the lake was formed.