Endless blue sea, strawberry ice cream that melts more quickly than you can eat it up, salty tanned skin and bobbing up and down on a lilo are what instantly come to mind when you think of a swimming holiday. Basically, the typical image of a swimming holiday involves anything but the high mountains of South Tyrol. After all, lakes in wild, high mountain regions are seldom warm enough to swim in. But wild, close-to-nature swimming in idyllic Alpine lakes is really something special! Swimming in one of South Tyrol’s mountain lakes should definitely feature on everyone’s bucket list. And the best tips for swimming in the mountains of South Tyrol are listed here.
Drinking water
Wolfsgruben See lake on the sunny, panoramic Ritten plateau is not very deep but is situated at the high altitude of 1,172 metres above sea level. The dense woodland bordering on the lake shore can be seen reflected in the water. Wolfsgruben See can count itself as one of the cleanest lakes in Italy and has an average temperature of between 22 and 24 degrees in summer. Is this not enough to warrant a spring into its cool water? Ideal after an long day’s hiking!
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The magic of a landscape
Fennberger See lake lies in the south of South Tyrol, but in a similarly idyllic position at 1,034 metres above sea level on the Fennberg plateau. Thanks to its deepest point measuring only 4 metres, it is pleasantly warm. It lies in the middle of a biotope consisting of reeds, woodland and meadows. Romantic Leonhard’s Chapel is perched on a hilltop right next to the lake. Together, the picturesque lake and the pretty chapel make it a place where the odd South Tyrolean goes to recharge their batteries…
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A watery idyll
Felixer Weiher lake on Deutschnonsberg, where South Tyrol and Italian-speaking Trentino meet, lies at 1,400 metres above sea level. This lake and Völser Weiher lake definitely fall into the category of ‘idyllic lakes in South Tyrol’. Those spending their holiday in Ultental valley or on the Seis high plateau should definitely head for one of these lakes and immerse themselves in the water and the countryside whose beauty may be seen reflected in the water.
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Lowland lakes
Those looking for a more rugged and unspoilt spot than the famous lake at Kaltern, the warmest bathing lake in the Alps with its selection of beaches, will find the lakes at Montiggl a suitable alternative. They are not exactly in the mountains, but may be found nestling in a varied mixed forest and are amongst the best bathing lakes in South Tyrol.
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Cold and clear
Large Antholzer See lake, shimmering Antermoiasee lake and mystical and legendary Pragser Wildsee lake are cold and clear but well worth the trip. Just to walk around though. While some daredevil or other may wager a dip into their waters, this is unlikely to be of more than a few seconds’ duration. Brrr.
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