Lago di Andalo

Useful Information

Location:	Andalo. Northwest of Trentino. A22 exit Grumo, follow SS43 through Mezzolombardo, turn left on SS421, first right at the city limits of Andalo. (46.175279, 11.006403)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Karst Lake
Light:	n/a
Dimension:	L=360 m, W=180 m, A=998m asl. Maximum size: L=670 m, W=310 m, D=13 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:
Address:	Lago di Andalo, Viale Del Parco, 38010 Andalo TN, Tel: +39-0461-585776. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

The Lago di Andalo (Andalo Lake) is named after nearby town Andalo. It is located in the Brenta Group. The limestones of the Alps are karstified, although there are not many show caves in the southern limestone Alps. But this seasonal lake is a typical sign of karstification, called a karst lake. Water flows in during the snow melt in spring through caves and fills the depression. In times of drought the lake disappears underground. Obviously, even during dry summer month, the climate of the Alps is not dry and not hot enough for the water to evaporate. The karst is filled with groundwater and if there is not enough inflow through rain, the water level goes down. The springs, which drain the karst, still flow during dry times, just with a lower yield, and the level of the karst water goes down as does the lake. So the best time to see the full lake is in late spring and the best time to see the empty lake is early autumn.

The lake is located at the northern end of Andalo. The best starting point are the parking lots of the Centro Equitazione Andalo or the Campeggio Andalo. There is no separate parking lot for the lake. But there is a trail around the lake, which is 2.5 km long and level, wide and paved, it is even suitable for strollers.

The water flows through the cave system underground into nearby lake Moreno. If there are heavy rainfalls or snow melt, a part of the water overflows and reappears on the other side of the village. It then flows on the surface into Lake Moreno. This is not a karst lake without inflow or outflow on the surface, but there is underground inflow and the blue colour, for which it is famous, is a result of the high amount of limestone in the water.