Lago del Salto where to stay: start with the shore
There are two lakes here: the Lago del Salto in the Cicolano and the Lago del Turano beside the Monte Navegna reserve. Lago del Salto where to stay is therefore a question of village first. The shore decides your beach, your views and how you move around when you have no car.
The area has several kinds of places to sleep: farm stays (agriturismi), bed and breakfasts, holiday homes and rooms to rent. Ask the host about availability for your dates before you plan. Rates, tourist tax and minimum stays vary by host and are not covered here. If you would rather build the trip around an activity, see the guided day trips and visits and then choose a base close to them.
Villages on Lago del Turano
Castel di Tora is a stone village on the north-eastern side of the lake and a good base for walkers and for the guided Antuni visit. Colle di Tora sits on a peninsula on the opposite side, so the two should not be confused when you search for a room. Ascrea is a hillside village with paths toward Monte Navegna, Monte Cervia and Mirandella. Paganico Sabino is the fourth lake village. Kayak and SUP rental is available in summer under the bridge at Castel di Tora; ask what is running in your travel month.
An electric excursion boat has run on the Turano since July 2025. There is no fixed timetable to rely on, so treat it as an extra rather than a reason to book a bed. Read more on the Lago del Turano page, or look at the village of Castel di Tora. Rocca Sinibalda lies in the Turano valley with its castle, but not directly on the water. Visits to the castle are guided and need a booking.
Villages on Lago del Salto
The Salto is long, and the villages sit far apart.
Borgo San Pietro
A modern lakeside settlement with a monastery, built after the flooding of the old village. It has equipped bathing places with loungers, umbrellas, pedal boats and canoes for hire. Confirm opening dates and prices for your month.
Drowned village and Borgo San Pietro →Fiumata
A rebuilt lakeside village with a bridge. An equipped beach with kayak and pedal boat rental. Ask for rates and opening dates before you travel.
Beaches and swimming rules →Petrella Salto
A hillside village above the lake, with the remains of the Rocca Cenci and two main churches. It is a good base if you prefer a quiet village to a beach. Do not expect the lake at your door.
Petrella Salto and the Cicolano →Varco Sabino
The starting point for the climb to Monte Navegna and the seat of the reserve offices. A bathing area named Rocca Villiana lies here. It suits hikers who want to start walking from the door.
Hiking Monte Navegna →Our pick: a night near Rieti
If you want to sleep near Rieti rather than at the lake, this barrel suite comes with breakfast, a wine tour and dinner.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided visits and day trips near the lakes
Walks, castle visits and day trips around Rieti and the lakes, with live prices and availability.
Farm stays at Lago del Salto and the Turano
Agriturismi, B&Bs and holiday homes are the usual choices.
The villages of the Monte Navegna e Monte Cervia area have farm stays, bed and breakfasts, holiday homes and rooms. Not every one stands directly on the Lago del Salto. Some stand away from the water. Before you book, ask for the exact address, and ask how far the shore is on foot or by car. The words "near the lake" can cover a long distance.
There is also a campsite on the Salto, in the municipality of Petrella Salto. Ask the campsite for its season, pitch prices and any extra charge for dogs. Inside the nature reserve, camping is meant for designated areas only; check the reserve's current rules before you pitch a tent anywhere else.
Rieti as a base
A city with trains, shops and a historic center.
Rieti has rail links toward Terni and L'Aquila and, in the current timetable, a direct train to Roma Tiburtina. It works well as a base if you value services, a station and the old town over a swim at your door. It is not a lake shuttle, so do not count on a regular fast service to the beaches and plan on a car or on-demand buses for the lakes. See Rieti for the city, and getting there for the trains and buses.
| Base | Good for | Water and walks | Without a car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castel di Tora | Walkers, the Antuni visit, village life | Kayak and SUP rental under the bridge in summer | ChiamaBus stop |
| Colle di Tora | Quiet views across the water | On a peninsula | ChiamaBus stop |
| Ascrea | Hikers heading for Navegna and Cervia | Hillside paths | ChiamaBus stop |
| Borgo San Pietro | Bathing places and the monastery | Equipped bathing places | Local bus toward Rieti; confirm times |
| Fiumata | Beach days with rentals | Equipped beach, kayaks, pedal boats | Ask your host |
| Petrella Salto | A quiet hill village | Lake below the village | ChiamaBus stop |
| Rieti | Services, rail and the old town | No lake in town | Train station |
For most visitors with a car, a village on the Turano such as Castel di Tora is the easiest base, because water, walks and a guided visit sit close together. For most visitors without a car, Rieti or a village with a ChiamaBus stop is the safer choice.
Before you book
Four questions that save a wrong turn.
Which lake?
Salto and Turano are different lakes with different villages. Check the host's address against the map.
How far is the shore?
Ask for the walking or driving distance. A place in the area is not automatically on the water.
Does it open in your month?
Seasonal opening is not guaranteed. Ask whether the place and its meals are available when you travel. See the weather page for the seasons.
Where do you park?
Free parking is not guaranteed in a village. Ask the host and keep the reserve and local rules in mind.
Places to read next
Each village has its own page.
Lago del Salto where to stay: frequently asked questions
Where should I stay at Lago del Salto?
It depends on the trip. A Turano village such as Castel di Tora suits walkers and visitors with a car. Borgo San Pietro and Fiumata suit beach days on the Salto. Rieti suits visitors who want services and a station. The table above compares them.
Are there farm stays near the lakes?
Yes. There are farm stays, B&Bs, holiday homes and rooms to rent in the area around the Monte Navegna and Monte Cervia reserve. Not all are directly on the Lago del Salto, so ask for the address and the distance to the shore.
Can I stay without a car?
Partly. Rieti has a station, and ChiamaBus serves several lake villages from Monday to Saturday, 08:00 to 19:00, except holidays. Booking is required, and it is not a guaranteed link to every beach. See getting there.
Is there camping at Lago del Salto?
There is a campsite on the Salto, in the municipality of Petrella Salto. Ask the campsite for season and pitch prices. Inside the reserve, camping is for designated areas.
Should I stay on the Salto or the Turano?
Stay where your plans are. Castel di Tora, Ascrea and Rocca Sinibalda are on the Turano side. Borgo San Pietro, Fiumata, Petrella Salto and Varco Sabino are on the Salto. The two lakes are connected underground for hydroelectric use, but there is no tourist boat between them.
Is lago-del-salto.com an official booking or tourism site?
No. This is an independent travel guide, not the website of the lake municipalities, the Lazio region or the dam operator, and it is not connected to any hotel or tour operator.