Lago Laceno & the Monti Picentini Regional Park
Tucked into the Monti Picentini at around 1,050 metres, Lago Laceno is a glacial lake that morphs from a ski resort in winter to a hiker's and picnicker's paradise in summer — and it looks nothing like the Campania of postcards, which is exactly the point.
Four Seasons, One Spectacular Lake
In winter (January to March) Laceno offers gentle ski slopes and a cosy après-ski atmosphere that earns the area its nickname 'the Switzerland of the South'. When the snow melts, the lake reveals a glassy surface ringed by beech and fir forest, with trails radiating outward into the Monti Picentini Regional Park — a protected area of more than 63,000 hectares.
Summer and early autumn are prime time for trekking, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking on the lake shore. The route towards Monte Terminio, the park's highest peak, rewards walkers with sweeping views across the Irpinia valleys and, on clear days, a glimpse of the Gulf of Salerno.
Wildlife and Walking in the Picentini
The Parco Regionale dei Monti Picentini is one of Campania's wildest corners, home to wolves, wild boar and golden eagles. Marked trails of varying difficulty start directly from the Laceno basin; the loop past the Rifugio Canadese is a local favourite for a half-day outing.
Pack a lunch of local cheeses, cured meats and a bottle of chilled Fiano di Avellino — the combination of mountain air and Irpinian produce at a lakeside picnic table is one of those experiences that quietly becomes the highlight of a trip.
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