Lake Caldaro Biotope

Lake Caldaro represents not only the warmest bathing lake of the Alps, but also the largest natural lake in South Tyrol, one of the largest lakes in Italy and comprises the largest preserved wetland area between the Po Plain and the Alpine divide. It is a real natural paradise, which was already placed under protection in 1978 by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano and which nowadays is part of the European network for protected areas “Natura 2000″.

The extended reed belt on the southern shores of the lake is the ideal habitat and a breeding and spawning ground for insects and water birds, amphibians and many fish species. Scientists proved that more than 100 bird species live in this area.

Nowadays, however, Lake Caldaro is heavily affected by the presence of humans: mainly on the west and east end there are swimming pools, campsites, restaurants and commercially used areas, which cause burdens on the natural environment. It is therefore all the more important to preserve this nature conservation project on the southern lakeside. To share the beauty of this spot of land, a wooden pathway snakes its way through the Lake Caldaro Biotope and leads also past an observation tower for bird watching.