Natural landscapes

Mugello is an area that fully meets the expectations of those who love to spend their leisure time immersed in the greenery. The beauty and variety of the landscape offer countless opportunities making you spoiled for choice.

If you happen to be around here, you can't pass up a visit to Lake Bilancino, the largest artificial lake in all of Tuscany nestled in a refreshing green landscape, where you'll get to experience plenty of outdoor activities.

This artificial reservoir, created only 25 years ago, stands on the site where a prehistoric lake existed more than 10 million years ago. The presence of this lake is one of the reasons why the Mugello area is so fertile and suitable for the cultivation of cereals, chestnuts, mushrooms, truffles, pastures for livestock and even characteristic sunflower fields.

The present lake is the result of the construction of a dam, a work built with the aim of regulating the flow of water and protecting Florence from catastrophic events such as the 1966 flood.

In addition to its function as a water regulator, Lake Bilancino also provides a relaxing oasis for visitors with parks, beaches along the shoreline and opportunities for water sports.

Indeed, during the Summer, the shore of Lake Bilancino offers a myriad of activities thanks to its clean waters and bathing facilities. Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing and windsurfing are among the opportunities available. Not to mention sport fishing, with the chance to catch various species of fish.

If you prefer to admire the lake rather than take a swim in it, there are still plenty of alternatives. In fact, the area offers plenty of trails for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, and horseback riding, paths that crisscross the area east of the lake and will allow you to best explore the natural and cultural beauty of the surrounding area.

On the north-eastern shore of Lake Bilancino, near the village of Galliano, is the WWF Oasis of Gabbianello, founded as an environmental restoration project aimed at creating wetland habitats, among those at greatest risk of disappearance in Italy and Europe.

The Oasis consists of a small pond that is home to a diverse fauna, from frogs to butterflies and dragonflies. This area is located along the traditional migration route from Africa to the North Pole and is an area rich in wildlife activity year-round, but is perfect for birdwatching especially in Spring and Autumn. Remember to check the opening hours and days, bring binoculars, and choose one of the 5 huts dedicated to observation: here you might spot white storks, cranes, wild geese, black-winged stilt, bitterns, and even the rare osprey. If you're lucky, you might even make unexpected sightings, such as passing flamingos.

The Oasis attracts not only nature lovers, but also weary travelers who want to arrange a pleasant picnic in a well-maintained and dedicated area surrounded by greenery where children can play. While the picnic area is free, there is a small entrance fee to enter the park.