Monticchio Lakes
Two green lakes inside the crater of the Vulture, surrounded by beech and chestnut trees, with the abbey of San Michele clinging to the cliff above the water.
The story
The lakes fill two craters of the Vulture, a volcano extinct for thousands of years. On the cliff above Lago Piccolo stands the abbey of San Michele, built around a cave once inhabited by Basilian monks. A very rare moth, the Brahmaea, lives in the woods; it was discovered here in the 20th century.
Why go
Because rowing inside a crater, with the abbey above and the forest all around, is a unique experience.
Which wind
Good with Always, unless there are thunderstorms
Avoid with Thunderstorms
Practical information
- Activities
- Kayaking, Lake swimming
- Level
- Beginners
- Seabed
- Two volcanic lakes in the woods
- Best time
- May–October
- Seasons
- Summer, Autumn
- Getting there
- Rowing boat and pedalo hire on the shore of Lago Piccolo.
Get directions ↗Marine reserve rules
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Weather and sea forecast
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
Getting there
- By train. The nearest station is Monteverde station, 5.2 km away. Alternatively: Aquilonia station, 5.5 km away. From the station you need a bus, a taxi or a car.
- By air. The nearest airport is Salerno Airport (QSR), about 68 km away; with more flights, Bari Airport (BRI) is about 100 km away.
- Parking. There are 6 signposted car parks within a kilometre; the nearest is 500 m away.
Stations, ports, airports and car parks from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL); distances as the crow flies. Timetables and connections change: check them before you travel.
Climate and sea month by month
The most pleasant months for weather are from April to June and from September to October, with average highs between 18 and 29 °C. From July to August it is hot: average highs exceed 30 °C. The wettest month is November (about 77 mm), the driest July.
| Month | Temperature | High / low | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | from 1 to 9 °C | 9° 1° | 52 |
| Feb | from 2 to 11 °C | 11° 2° | 48 |
| Mar | from 3 to 13 °C | 13° 3° | 49 |
| Apr | from 6 to 18 °C | 18° 6° | 33 |
| May | from 10 to 22 °C | 22° 10° | 52 |
| Jun | from 15 to 28 °C | 28° 15° | 32 |
| Jul | from 18 to 33 °C | 33° 18° | 22 |
| Aug | from 18 to 32 °C | 32° 18° | 34 |
| Sep | from 14 to 26 °C | 26° 14° | 52 |
| Oct | from 10 to 21 °C | 21° 10° | 57 |
| Nov | from 6 to 15 °C | 15° 6° | 77 |
| Dec | from 2 to 11 °C | 11° 2° | 38 |
Averages for 2015–2024, estimated for an altitude of 652 m. Air: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis), corrected for the altitude of the place; rain: average monthly total. These are indicative values: the weather on any given day can be very different, so always check the forecast before you go.
In the guide
Other spots nearby
- Caves and seabeds of MarateaKayaking, Snorkelling, Scuba diving · 106 km
- ★ SUP and kayaking on the Ionian coast at MetapontoSUP, Kayaking · 122 km
Sea conditions can change within hours: before going in, check the marine forecast and the local harbour office (Capitaneria di porto) rules. Emergencies at sea: 1530.