Lago Scaffaiolo

Lake Scaffaiolo, located at an altitude of 1775 m, is one of the highest natural basins of the whole Apennine chain. It is a tiny stretch of perennial water, lying placidly along the border that divides Tuscany from Emilia Romagna. This point offers breathtaking sunsets, plunged into the magic of the gentle breeze and the rustling waters. 

A series of unique characteristics have lent to this place a true aura of mystery. Sure enough, in the past, those peculiarities contributed to fomenting myths and legends among mountain dwellers. The great poet Boccaccio, to name but one example, described the lake in a minor work appeared in Florence in 1598.

Legend has it that the lake’s bed is directly linked to Hell and the souls of the damned, who would re-emerge from the water as to seek relief in the rare moments when the they can have some rest from their everlasting punishment. Therefore, if a blessed hand had the nerve to throw a stone into the lake right in correspondence with the “gates of Hell”, all of a sudden, terrible storms would rage and uproot centuries-old oaks, raising appalling waves and hurling stones at great distance.

The many hikers who visit the edge throughout the year are certainly used to sudden weather changes, especially in winter, when the lake is struck by abrupt storms.