Where is Lago del Turano?
Lago del Turano is an artificial lake in the province of Rieti, Lazio, at the edge of the Riserva Naturale Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia. It was created in 1939 with a dam near Posticciola and Stipes, to produce electricity and hold back floods. The lake is about 10 km long, with a shoreline of 36 km, at an altitude of 536 m, and the dam is 80 m high.
The Turano is a different lake from Lago del Salto, although both feed the same power plant at Cotilia and are linked by an underground channel. There is no boat connection between them. If you want the larger lake, with the drowned village and the dam, see the Lago del Salto guide. For a day out from Rome, the day trips from Rome page shows how to plan the area.
Guided visits and boat trips at Lago del Turano
Guided walks, boat trips and day excursions around the Turano and the Rieti area, with live prices and availability.
The villages on the Turano
Castel di Tora, Colle di Tora, Ascrea and Paganico Sabino sit on the shore. Castel di Tora is the stone village on the north-eastern side of the lake and the most widely known. Colle di Tora lies on a peninsula on the opposite side. Do not confuse the two when you plan a walk or a stop.
Ascrea sits on a slope and has trails toward Monte Navegna, Monte Cervia and Mirandella. Paganico Sabino is the fourth lake village.
Swimming and water sports at the Turano
There are 10 designated bathing areas on the Turano. That number counts classified water, not open beaches, so do not read it as ten places with a lifeguard. The regular official bathing season in 2026 ran from 1 May to 30 September. Water levels change, and the area around dam and intake structures is protected, so keep to the signed spots.
Near the bridge at Castel di Tora, single and double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal-assisted boats can be rented in summer. Ask on site for current prices and dates. Municipal rules for the Castel di Tora shore limit motor power to 4 HP and keep boats at least 100 m from the dam wall, with exceptions. Check the current local rules before you bring your own boat. More on swimming and safety is on the beaches page.
Boat trips on the Turano
An electric excursion boat has run on the lake since July 2025.
Excursion trips and full boat charters for private occasions may also be offered. There is no regular timetable and no year-round service, so ask at the lake before you plan around a boat trip, especially outside summer.
Getting to Lago del Turano
By car it is straightforward. Public transport needs planning.
By car from Rome
Take the A24 and leave at Carsoli-Oricola. Then follow the SP34 toward Lago del Turano and Castel di Tora. A parking area on the SP34 near Castel di Tora, the Guardaparco area, serves as a meeting point for guided walks. Check parking fees and free spaces on site, and arrive early in summer.
Getting there →By bus
The usual public route goes through Rieti, by COTRAL bus or train. On Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 19:00, except holidays, the on-demand ChiamaBus serves Castel di Tora, Colle di Tora, Ascrea, Paganico and Rocca Sinibalda. You must reserve by app or call centre, and it does not replace a fixed timetable.
Bus and train →Walking from the villages
The nature reserve has routes from Ascrea, Paganico and Castel di Tora toward Monte Cervia and Monte Navegna. There is no continuous easy path around the lake, so plan lake walks as short village strolls.
Hiking guide →Fishing and where to sleep
Two practical points for a longer stay.
Fishing needs a licence. A type B licence costs €29.13 in Lazio (2026). For non-residents of Italy it is valid for 3 months from payment, and you show proof of payment and proof of residence. Residents of Lazio over 65 and young people from 14 to 18 are exempt. Other limits and closed seasons apply, so ask locally.
For a night by the lake, farm stays, B&Bs and holiday homes are listed in the villages. See where to stay for how to choose between the lake villages, Petrella Salto and Rieti.
Lago del Turano: frequently asked questions
Where is Lago del Turano exactly?
It is in the province of Rieti in Lazio, at the edge of the Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia nature reserve. The lake villages are Castel di Tora, Colle di Tora, Ascrea and Paganico Sabino.
Is Lago del Turano the same as Lago del Salto?
No. They are two separate reservoirs, joined by an underground channel for power generation. The Salto is larger and has the drowned villages and the dam. The Turano is smaller and surrounded by the nature reserve.
Can I swim in Lago del Turano?
Yes, at designated bathing areas, mainly in summer. The regular official season in 2026 ran from 1 May to 30 September. A bathing area being classified does not mean a lifeguard is present, so take care. Details are on the beaches page.
Can I rent a kayak or paddleboard?
Yes, near the bridge at Castel di Tora, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and pedal-assisted boats are rented in summer. Ask on site for current prices.
How far is it from Rome?
You drive the A24 to Carsoli-Oricola and then take the SP34. Journey times and tolls vary, so check them for your date. A guide to the options is on the getting there page.
Is this the official website of Lago del Turano?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no connection to the lake municipalities, the nature reserve, the Lazio region or any boat operator.