San Ruffino Lake, Marche, Italy

Also known as:  Lago di San Ruffino

Every year San Ruffino Lake disappears, shrinking back to the river it originally was. Wildlife returns to explore the river’s shore and forage in the land that was lake bottom. The seasons change again and slowly the lake refills, reclaiming the space that was previously its own. As the years pass the cycle repeats itself, with the lake filling and disappearing over and over again. Fortunately for…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to San Ruffino Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for San Ruffino Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.


All About San Ruffino Lake, Italy

Lake Locations: Italy - Marche Region, Italy -

Every year San Ruffino Lake disappears, shrinking back to the river it originally was. Wildlife returns to explore the river’s shore and forage in the land that was lake bottom. The seasons change again and slowly the lake refills, reclaiming the space that was previously its own. As the years pass the cycle repeats itself, with the lake filling and disappearing over and over again. Fortunately for residents and visitors alike, however, San Ruffino Lake in the Marche region of Italy has something to delight in every season.

San Ruffino Lake, or Lago di San Ruffino as it is known in Italian, is a man-made reservoir created with the construction of a dam in 1961. It is an impoundment of the River Tenna and provides water for irrigation. When it is full, the lake has a surface area of 65 acres, a maximum depth of 50 feet and holds 2,027 acre-feet of water. In late spring through autumn, the dam is opened and San Ruffino Lake turns into meadows filled with birds including herons wading in the shallows at the river’s shore. Visitors can stroll around the reservoir or river depending on the time of year and see the deer park. The park is part of a government breeding program to increase the deer population.

The area’s holiday villas, vacation rentals and restaurants are largely unaffected by fluctuations in Lago di San Ruffino’s water levels. Only the scenery changes; sometimes visitors enjoy the local cuisine overlooking the sparkling water of the lake, and sometimes the view is wading birds and fresh green grass meadows. Nearby, the charming village of Amandola in the upper Tenna River Valley has interesting architecture and restaurants featuring the area’s mushrooms, truffles and cheese.

San Ruffino Lake sits at the foot of the Sibillini Mountains. Long considered a magical place, during the Middle Ages the mountains were believed to be inhabited by demons and fairies. Covered with beech trees with their glowing tan leaves and sprinkled with rare edelweiss and gentian, the mountains are still magic today. They are also part of the Monti Sibillini National Park. Established in 1993, the park stretches across over 172,974 acres in Marche and Umbria. With such a large area, the park has several different regions. The one closest to Lago di San Ruffino is known as the “Magic Slope” and includes medieval villages and stone abbeys tucked into the foot of the mountains. Wolves, golden eagles and peregrine falcons all make their homes in the forests of the national park.

Whether it is to enjoy San Ruffino as a lake or its time as a river, Lago di San Ruffino is magical in any season. Waterfowl, wading birds and sparkling water combine with quaint,charming villages and delicious local cuisine to make San Ruffino Lake an ideal Marche destination. Add the rich history and abundant wildlife of Sibillini’s Magic Slope, and a trip to Lago di San Ruffino is sure to become a favorite year round Italian destination.

Things to Do at San Ruffino Lake

These are some activities in the San Ruffino Lake, Italy area visitors can enjoy:

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Birding
  • National Park
divider

Find Places to Stay at San Ruffino Lake

If you’re considering a San Ruffino Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

More Sites to Book a San Ruffino Lake Vacation

Our interactive San Ruffino Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

Check TripAdvisor
Check Expedia
Find a Campspot
All Travel Resources

San Ruffino Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

divider

Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

Surface Area: 65 acres

Maximum Depth: 50 feet

Water Volume: 2,027 acre-feet

We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

Shop San Ruffino Lake Gifts

Custom Lake Tumblers

Captain / First Mate Custom 20 oz Tumbler

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake T Shirt

Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

SHOP NOW
Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

On Lake Time Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

SHOP NOW
VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

More San Ruffino Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

  • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
  • The San Ruffino Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
  • New San Ruffino Lake photos coming soon!
  • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
  • Share this San Ruffino Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: