Lago di Viverone (Bagni Comunali, Località Lido)

Lago di Viverone is the largest lake near Turin, lying about 65 km north-east of the city on the border of the provinces of Biella, Turin and Vercelli in Piedmont, Italy. The Località Lido at Viverone, in the province of Biella, is the main bathing area, with several establishments listed by ARPA Piemonte, including Bagni Comunali e Marinella, Bagni Masseria and Lido Anzasco, as well as free stretches of shore. The lake is a glacial feature held by a moraine, with fresh, relatively shallow, green-tinted water that regional monitoring has classed as suitable for bathing again since 2008. The shore combines grass lawns with sand and pebble entries, and the shape is a broad open lake with gentle breezes, which makes it a favourite with windsurfers and sailors as well as swimmers. There is no sea surf, though wind can raise short waves in the afternoon. The atmosphere is lively but mostly family-oriented, with sunbathers on the lawns, children in the shallows and groups of friends renting pedalos and canoes. Amenities are provided by the individual establishments. Loungers, umbrellas, and pedalo and canoe rental are available, but fees vary by operator and are not published centrally, so visitors should ask on arrival. Lakefront cafes and restaurants serve food and drinks, and the joint lake management office at Via Umberto I 107, Viverone, can provide information. Lifeguard hours depend on each establishment. Access from Turin is simple but slower by public transport. A regional train from Torino Porta Nuova reaches Santhià in about 45 to 55 minutes, followed by a local bus or taxi to Viverone of about 20 minutes. By car, the A4 or A5 leads to the lake in roughly an hour, and parking near the lido is busy on summer weekends. The hills around Viverone also offer walks and views, and the lake has a long prehistoric heritage, with Bronze Age pile-dwelling remains recorded in the area. The season runs from about June to September, with July and August the most crowded.