Boating on Lake Varese (Discover the natural beauty of a little known lake with LIPU)
Admire vast reed beds, carpets of water lilies and flocks of birds on board the "Stramba", a boat powered by a quiet, non-polluting electrical engine, in the company of a nature guide. A unique way to see a lake protected by the European Union.
Lake Varese is mistakenly believed to lack environmental importance. Because of the serious environmental damage suffered by these waters in the '70s and '80s and the fact that it was out of bounds to swimmers for a long period, locals lost their close relationship with this lake whose beauty impressed Stendahl as long ago as the early 1800s.
In actual fact, Lake Varese is one of the best preserved prealpine lakes in Italy from a naturalistic point of view. There are only a few bodies of water where you can so clearly admire lake vegetation, with huge carpets of water lilies and water chestnuts growing alongside extensive reed beds and alluvial forests full of alders and willows.
Lake Varese is also the year-round gathering ground of scores of species of aquatic birds that have chosen to nest or winter at the foot of Campo dei Fiori. Grey Herons, Black Kites, Coots and Grebes are familiar sights to those who take walks in the neighbourhood of Schiranna or Gavirate. However, there are also rare species such as the Little Bittern, the Western Marsh Harrier, the Ferruginous Duck, and the Purple Heron, who come to our reed beds every year from Africa.
This is the reason why Lake Varese has been part of Natura 2000 for years. This is the European Union's large system of protected areas, which safeguard rare or endangered species and habitats. It has been classified as both a SCI (Site of Community Importance) and a SPA (Special Protection Area).
In 2008, thanks to financing from the Cariplo Foundation and Varese Province, LIPU (Italian League for Bird Protection) bought a 12-person boat, making this unknown corner of nature accessible for anyone who wants to discover it. The StrambaThe Stramba (a word in the dialect ofmeaning Great Crested GrebeSvasso Maggiore) is powered by a silent, low environmental impact, electric motor that can get very close to birds without disturbing them, thus making it possible for tourists, birdwatchers and photographers to admire the herons, birds of prey and ducks from close by. The excursions, which last about two hours, start at the small harbour of Bodio Lomnago and proceed along the shores of Schiranna, Capolago, Galliate and of course Bodio, in the company of an expert naturalist guide.
The Natural Reserve and LIPU's Palude Brabbia Oasis organize a series of excursions from March to October usuallyOctober usually on the first and last Sundays of the month, with one trip in the morning and one in the evening. Special excursions can be organized for groups of 9 to 10 people. Reservations are compulsory and can be made by e-mail (oasi.brabbia@lipu.it) or telephone (+39 0332-964028). A donation of €10 per adult and € 8 per child (3-14 years) is requested. LIPU members can avail of discounts. The excursion calendar and other details can be found at the web site www.lipu.varese.it/brabbia.
Link: www.lipu.varese.it/brabbia/
Lake Varese is mistakenly believed to lack environmental importance. Because of the serious environmental damage suffered by these waters in the '70s and '80s and the fact that it was out of bounds to swimmers for a long period, locals lost their close relationship with this lake whose beauty impressed Stendahl as long ago as the early 1800s.
In actual fact, Lake Varese is one of the best preserved prealpine lakes in Italy from a naturalistic point of view. There are only a few bodies of water where you can so clearly admire lake vegetation, with huge carpets of water lilies and water chestnuts growing alongside extensive reed beds and alluvial forests full of alders and willows.
Lake Varese is also the year-round gathering ground of scores of species of aquatic birds that have chosen to nest or winter at the foot of Campo dei Fiori. Grey Herons, Black Kites, Coots and Grebes are familiar sights to those who take walks in the neighbourhood of Schiranna or Gavirate. However, there are also rare species such as the Little Bittern, the Western Marsh Harrier, the Ferruginous Duck, and the Purple Heron, who come to our reed beds every year from Africa.
This is the reason why Lake Varese has been part of Natura 2000 for years. This is the European Union's large system of protected areas, which safeguard rare or endangered species and habitats. It has been classified as both a SCI (Site of Community Importance) and a SPA (Special Protection Area).
In 2008, thanks to financing from the Cariplo Foundation and Varese Province, LIPU (Italian League for Bird Protection) bought a 12-person boat, making this unknown corner of nature accessible for anyone who wants to discover it. The StrambaThe Stramba (a word in the dialect ofmeaning Great Crested GrebeSvasso Maggiore) is powered by a silent, low environmental impact, electric motor that can get very close to birds without disturbing them, thus making it possible for tourists, birdwatchers and photographers to admire the herons, birds of prey and ducks from close by. The excursions, which last about two hours, start at the small harbour of Bodio Lomnago and proceed along the shores of Schiranna, Capolago, Galliate and of course Bodio, in the company of an expert naturalist guide.
The Natural Reserve and LIPU's Palude Brabbia Oasis organize a series of excursions from March to October usuallyOctober usually on the first and last Sundays of the month, with one trip in the morning and one in the evening. Special excursions can be organized for groups of 9 to 10 people. Reservations are compulsory and can be made by e-mail (oasi.brabbia@lipu.it) or telephone (+39 0332-964028). A donation of €10 per adult and € 8 per child (3-14 years) is requested. LIPU members can avail of discounts. The excursion calendar and other details can be found at the web site www.lipu.varese.it/brabbia.
Link: www.lipu.varese.it/brabbia/
