Lago Secco Oasis
The Oasis is located within the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, and covers an area of 15 hectares. Included by the Regione Lazio in the list of Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and defined by the European Community as one of the most important sites for biodiversity (SIC), the Oasis has become part of WWF Italia in 1989. Lago Secco (1550 m) and Lago della Selva (1450 m) are at the center of this wetland, which is a rare environment in the Apennine mountain chain.
Thanks to the creation of a protected natural environment and to the particular climatic conditions, this Oasis is home to animal and plant species dating back to the time of the last ice age. Only in these bodies of water can you find three different species of newt: alpestris, triturus carnifex and triturus vulgaris, with neotenic specimens that preserve the gills even as adults.
The favorable climatic conditions, helped by prudent forest maintenance, have made it possible to admire secular beech forests alternating with pastoral areas; also in the oasis you can admire the scented willow, considered to be at risk of extinction. The oasis has enchanting views all year round, but it is in late spring that you can admire the very best of nature. The flowering of orchids, gentians, asphodels, buttercups, golden buttons, peonies, daffodils and lilies make the Lago Secco a wonderful place to visit.
