Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve
Tucked at the northern tip of Lake Como where the Adda and Mera rivers meet the lake, Pian di Spagna is one of Lombardy's most important wetland reserves — a place where herons, ospreys and marsh harriers wheel over reed beds just minutes from the water's edge. It feels like a secret the rest of Italy forgot to mention.
A Wetland Worth Wandering
The reserve covers roughly 1,700 hectares of lagoons, oxbow lakes and riparian forest, criss-crossed by flat, easy cycling and walking trails that demand nothing more strenuous than a pair of trainers.
Spring migration (April–May) is the undisputed highlight: over 230 bird species have been recorded here, and the dawn chorus alone is worth setting an early alarm for.
Pick up a free trail map from the visitor centre in Sorico and follow the Sentiero del Canneto, a boardwalk loop that cuts through the tallest reed beds on the lake.
Beyond the Birds
The reserve merges seamlessly with Lake Mezzola to the north, and a kayak paddle across the glassy shallows at golden hour is one of the most photogenic experiences in the entire Como area.
Local guide outfitters in Colico rent sit-on-top kayaks by the hour and run guided ornithology tours on weekend mornings — worth booking ahead in May and September.
In winter the flooded meadows attract thousands of migratory ducks and the misty light turns the whole landscape into a Turner painting.
Pian di Spagna Nature Reserve on video
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