25ª Traversata a nuoto del Lago di Mergozzo

The Lago di Mergozzo basin is a geological anomaly, a deep, glacial-carved depression that reaches 74 meters in depth. Containing 90 million cubic meters of water, the lake remains exceptionally clear, largely because the absence of motorboats preserves the stillness of the water column. As you swim, you are not merely crossing a lake; you are traversing a protected, high-quality ecosystem where pikeperch, Arctic char, and burbot thrive in the depths beneath your stroke. The water is fed primarily by the Rio Bracchio and Rio Rescina, mountain streams that maintain the lake's steady, cool temperature throughout the summer.

Peaks and historic echoes

During the 2,500m or 5,300m loop, the landscape is defined by the jagged, granite slopes of the Corni di Nibbio. These peaks, rising over 2,000 meters, dictate the horizon and mark the rugged boundary of the Val Grande National Park. On the southern shore, the sight of the 12th-century Church of Santa Marta reminds swimmers of the area's ancient role as a thoroughfare for travelers, its stone masonry still bearing the original anthropomorphic peducci. Further along the course, the heights of Montorfano reveal remnants of a three-apsed basilica and a Paleochristian baptismal font, archaeological layers that have watched over these waters for centuries. In 1944, this stretch of land formed the southern border of the Partisan Republic of Ossola, a history that still resonates in the quiet silence of the lake's surrounding villages.

Race day mechanics

Set for July 19, 2026, the event requires a tactical approach to the course, where orange buoys must be kept on the swimmer's right throughout the loop. Logistics are precise: the entry fees, ranging from 30 to 65 EUR depending on the distance and registration date, cover the essential timing chip and race logistics. While the 2,500m distance requires a medical self-certification, the 5,300m and 5,500m events demand a formal medical certificate for participation. Swimmers should note the strict time limits—90 minutes for the shorter distance and 150 minutes for the longer—after which safety vessels will retrieve athletes. If you are looking for other events in these waters, you might consider the Mergozzo Waterproof #1 in September or, for those traveling early in the season, the Leggiuno stage of the Italian Open Water Tour held earlier in July.