Itineraries
The Morainic Hills
The first recommended itinerary will give you an overall view of the Park and the surrounding territory. By climbing Collina di Santo Stefano - which lies immediately above the town of Candia - and going beyond the vineyards and the chestnut tree wood you will reach a panoramic point at about 400 meters of altitude, where you will enjoy a wonderful view over the lake and the surrounding hills. The walk can continue through silent and fresh woods watched over by the church of Santo Stefano, a Romanesque-style evidence of the local history.
Returning from Santo Stefano you can go beyond the railway underpass and walk along the hill towards the north up to the old and ruined Mulino Bianizzo to observe the area of the "Fontane", that is resurgences flowing out and going through the road and the wood up to the canal which brings the waters far away from the basin. In spring you can admire luxuriant water mint, large-leaved watercress, sedge, and lady fern, even if the remaining territory suffers from drought.
The Marsh and the Banks
All year round, avoiding the hottest moments of the summer days, it is possible to explore the whole shore of the lake for about 6 km. The departure point is the Lido di Candia on the western shore of the lake, where you can park the car. The asphalt road leaves from the lake in the direction of Candia, then it turns right towards the Canottieri, and continues among rows of poplars, orchards (in spring you can buy cherries!) and corn fields until you reach the crossroads with the road leading to the railway station of Candia. Here you can take the path following the northern shore of the lake. It is possible to follow different paths to get closer and explore the marsh, observe the typical vegetation of the canals, reach the canebrake and the shore of the lake. Only silence will enable you to observe the small vertebrates and the myriad of invertebrates populating this limited strip between the water and the cultivated fields. Without effort it will be possible to admire a great variety of dragonflies, some of which are wonderful for their size and colors. The covering vegetation sequence is in some points still intact, from the aquatic stretch to the hygrophilous wood of black alder (Alnus glutinosa).
The path continues on the right, away from the lake, and reaches the asphalt road Vische - Caluso. Along this road it is possible to complete the ring-route of the lake and to return to the Lido. If you get closer to the water in the accessible points of the southern area, you can see its richness in aquatic vegetation: the lake surface houses, besides the ubiquitous water chestnut (Trapa natans), also great spots of white water lily (Nymphaea alba) and the yellow water lily (Nuphar luteum).
By Rowing-Boat or by Motor Boat on the Lake?
The rental of rowing-boats has always been a popular activity in Candia, both for amateur fishermen, for lovers, and for tourists. The stillness of the means of transport and the trust the birds have acquired towards the harmless visitors give the opportunity to easily enjoy the view of the ducks busy fishing, of the courtship ritual of the grebes, of the chicks coming out of the nests and experiencing swimming and diving.
The best observers will even notice the little bittern (Ixobrychus minutus) moving through the shore vegetation and then suddenly becoming motionless, with the outstretched neck and the beak pointing up. Very light and mimetic on the aquatic vegetation are also the coot (Fulica atra) and the common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus): the coloring of the beak and of the front part, white in the former and red in the latter, distinguish these two birds belonging to the Rallidae family.
However, be careful: do not venture among the aquatic vegetation since the oars can be captured by the submerged plant stems. Botanic curiosities: at the end of the summer, where the water is less deep and undisturbed, you can discover the very rare yellow floating heart (Nymphoides peltata) and the water poppy (Hydrocharis morsus-ranae).
The laziest visitors who do not want to row can enjoy the opportunity to carry out a tour on the lake thanks to the motor boat purchased in 2003 by the Park Authority: the boat can welcome 18 visitors and is also accessible to disabled persons.
