Ridracoli, which is ideal for canoeing and forest bathing buffs, is located on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park.
Guided tours of the dam on the Bidente river
This area is known for its imposing dam, built in the 1980s on the Bidente River, which created a picturesque lake at 557 meters asl surrounded by pristine forests. This unique ecosystem can be explored via electric boat or canoe tours in the spring and summer months, as well as along e-bike and hiking trails. The dam not only provides drinking water to much of the Romagna region, but also offers the opportunity to view this engineering masterpiece from unique vantage points. The electric boat, equipped with 43 seats, takes visitors from late March through September with an environmental guide on board who recounts the history of the dam, the landscape, and the wildlife inhabiting these forests.
Half-day, full-day and overnight canoe trips
The tour allows, upon request and provided the lake level is high enough, for a stop at the Cà di Sopra Refuge for lunch or to set off from there on a short hike through the woods. Among the water-based experiences, canoe trips are available as half-day or full-day excursions, in the evening or at night; including an overnight canoe trip to the village of Seghettina, scheduled for June 27–28, July 25–26, and August 29–30 (discover more).
The Casentino Forests Triathlon combines hiking, canoeing, and e-biking
For cycling enthusiasts, it is possible to rent e-bikes with a certified MTB guide for an excursion along the forest trail leading to the Foresta della Lama. It is also possible to complete a loop around Lake Ridracoli, or to set out on one of the many trails to discover the most fascinating spots in the National Park. Outings range from half-day trips to night excursions. A perfect destination for nature lovers, Ridracoli is also the venue for the Casentino Forests Triathlon, a sporting and nature-based experience that combines hiking, canoeing, and e-biking in a single event. For hikers numerous trails lead to picturesque spots such as San Paolo in Alpe and the Foresta della Lama, on the edge of the Sasso Fratino Integral Reserve, Italy’s first integral reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017.
Forest bathing with certified guides
The events calendar is packed with all kinds of activities. Among these is Forest Bathing, a practice of sensory immersion in nature that offers numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. The experience is led by a certified forest immersion guide and offers a rejuvenating break for body and mind, with great health benefits. The Ridracoli Dam and IDRO Ecomuseum - Forest Bathing
Water-based activities for young and old
This summer with the “Wednesdays of the Giant” and year-round with “At the Giant’s Feet,” the dam can occasionally be visited from below with exclusive tours of the internal tunnels to discover how it works, including control instruments, history, technical curiosities, and observation points normally inaccessible to the public. All these events can be viewed on the website https://www.ridracoli.it/calendar/. Also interesting is a visit to Idro – Ecomuseo delle Acque di Ridracoli, a fun and interactive museum dedicated to the history and operation of the dam. This is also perfect for young children as it focuses on discovering water, local flora and fauna, and environmental education. And the museum features a collection of stuffed animals that inhabit the area’s forests and explains in detail how the dam works. To purchase experiences in the parks of Romagna: Buy your ticket - AmaParco
