Coghinas Lake

Lake Coghinas is located in the Monte Acuto area, mostly in the municipality of Oschiri and for a small part in the municipality of Tula, between the province of Sassari and the province of Olbia-Tempio. It dates back to 1927, when it was artificially created by damming the river of the same name near the Muzzone narrows in the Limbara. The river has its source at the foot of Punta Palai (Bolotana, province of Nuoro) and flows for about 123 kilometres until it flows into the Gulf of Asinara; it is called Rio Mannu di Ozieri in its first stretch, parallel to the Marghine Goceano mountain range, and finally called Coghinas in its course through the plain of Chilivani, where it receives its waters from the Mannu di Oschiri and Berchidda rivers.

The Coghinas dam, 185 metres long and 58 metres wide, can hold 254 million cubic metres of water. Its value lies essentially in its water supply function, but also in the fact that it has a hydroelectric plant. The lake's preciousness should also be considered in light of its naturalistic importance, even though it is the result of an artificial intervention.

The winds that creep through the creeks of the mountains create a climate suitable for the life of many plant and animal species, such as trout perch, royal perch, catfish, carp and Louisiana crayfish, which become valuable prey for anglers. On the other hand, for bird-watchers, the variety of bird species will become exciting and unmissable sightings.

At the lake, you can go trekking and mountain biking on trails along its shores or, with less stress, stroll in the shade of imposing oaks, such as holm oaks and cork oaks, either on foot or on horseback, following the trails with guided tours. Near the lake, you should not miss an excursion to su Filigosu: a reforested area on the slopes of Mount Limbara, populated by deer, fallow deer and mouflon. Then, if you want to delve into the lake environment, you can rent canoes or kayaks and reach the vast inlets with smooth rocks.

How to get there...

From State Road 131, take the junction for Mores and then continue in the direction of Ozieri - Chilivani. From Chilivani take State Road 597 in the direction of Oschiri - Tempio. From the road you can see the lake, which can be reached via a bridge.