Nat. Reserve of Lakes Lungo and Ripasottile

The two lakes are connected to and fed by numerous underwater springs that guarantee a continuous change of the water, which always remains very pure.
On the shores of Lake Ripasottile, the building that housed the old drainage pump has become the Visitors Center of the Park: the two lakes and protected area make up the nucleus of the Reatini Lakes Nature Reserve.
Lake Ripasottile is larger with an area of approximately 80 meters and a maximum depth of 6 meters.
Lake Lungo (or Cantalice) extends for around 60 hectares and is divided in two by a narrowing; of the two resulting basins, the smaller is named Lake Fogliano (its area is more or less marshland and covered by canes and willows). The Vergara canal allows the waters of Lake Lungo to flow into Lake Ripasottile.
The aquatic vegetation included both the common water lily as well as the yellow water lily, creating a rather rare vegetation environment: the Nupharetum. Along the shore, the vegetation, with specimens of even larger dimensions of willows, popular, and many reeds, divide the lakes from the cultivated lands.
The zone has been cultivated since the Roman Era (immediately after the drying out of Lacus Velinus) and the territory of the reserve holds numerous old farm buildings exemplifying local rural architecture.

The Fauna
Among the bird, both non-migratory and migratory, we remember: the coot, the moorhen, the egret (and even rarer, the red egret), the snipe, the redshank, the ringed plover, and sometimes actually the flamingo. The penduline builds its pouch-nests hanging from the branches of the trees, and many cormorants have chosen the two lakes for spending their winters. Among birds of prey, you'll find the marsh harrier, the osprey, and the harrier.
The wolf, porcupine, badger, pheasant, and carrion crow habitually frequent the small woods in the lake's surroundings.
There are many species of fish fauna including: pike, tench, carp, eelworm, and trout.

The Visitors Center and Nature Trails
The best seasons for visiting this area are spring and autumn.
It is best to first reach the Visitors Center, where you can get materials on the park and look at a model that depicts the entire territory.
Visitors Center: Loc. Lanserra - Colli sul Velino
Open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From April to October it is also open from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tel. and fax 0746644040
You leave from Rieti in the direction of the military airport; continue towards Terni until reaching a junction on the left where you go towards Colli sul Velino. Follow along the street until reaching another junction to the left where there is a sign indicating the "Centro Visite" (Visitors Center), on the shores of Lake Ripasottile.

The Visit of Lake Ripasottile
From the Visitors Center leave two nature paths on Lake Ripasottile: looking at the lake, the one to the right is shorter, and after a stretch of about 500 meters, you follow a portion of Fiumarone Stream and then return to the departure point; the path to the left is longer and goes along the western side of the lake.
Along both paths are observation points for looking at the fauna, large marsh birds, which are visible in any season, and it is a good idea to have a pair of binoculars and telephoto lens even if the animals, used to life on the reserve, often come very close to the observation areas.
The paths are equipped with maps and explanations, and qualified personnel from the Reserve is available for those who wish to be accompanied.

The Visit of Lake Lungo
The blooming of the water lilies of Lake Lungo is a spectacle not to be missed (late June). The visit of this lake is possible along a path similar to that of Lake Ripasottile (for information, educational materials, and guided visits, visit the Visitors Center at Lake Ripasottile).
The path departs from the Rieit-Terni street in correspondence with the Vergara Canal; follow along the entire canal until you reach the lake; go along the shore to the South (equipped with observation areas and maps) and return to the departure point, closing the route in ring-shape.