Baratz Lake

Baratz Lake, Sardinia's only natural lake, is located in the north-western part of the Sardinian coast (Nurra), near the Porto Ferro beach, in the territory of the Municipality of Sassari, located 30 km from Sassari and 20 km from AlgheroThe lake occupies an area of 1125 hectares and its perimeter has a vaguely rectangular shape with three deep inlets.

Lake Baratz, lies at the bottom of a basin surrounded by a coniferous forest and is separated from the sea by an impressive dune system. The entire area has been recognised by the European Union as a Site of Community Interest (SCI) and is included in Area 5 of the Parco Geominerario Sardo, borders the Porto Conte Regional Natural Park and is not far from the Asinara National Park.

The lake is surrounded by reeds, cypresses and tamarisks of different heights and by a lush pine forest, dating back to the mid-20th century, which is home to various Mediterranean essences, such as strawberry trees, junipers, mastic trees, heather, lavender, myrtle and rosemary, which release their intense scents into the air. If you take a walk along the paths in spring, you will have the opportunity to admire twenty types of wild orchids.

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Birdwatchers will be able to observe various wading birds such as the red heron, calander, marsh harrier, coot, mallard and kingfisher from various vantage points. Among the reptiles, the marsh tortoise stands out. At dawn and dusk, Lake Baratz becomes a watering hole for mammals such as foxes, wild boar and hedgehogs.  

The forest is criss-crossed by easy, signposted paths: the first, coastal, starts from the Bantine Sale tower, which dominates the expanse of yellow-reddish sand of Porto Ferro beach, winding its way through several coves until it reaches the Le Prigionette forest (northern boundary of Porto Conte); the second path, starts from Porto Ferro beach and leads directly to the lake, and the third, ring-shaped, goes around it.

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Since 29 February 2000, the Centro per l’educazione ambientale e la sostenibilità (CEAS), (Centre for Environmental Education and Sustainability), Lago Baratz of the Municipality of Sassari has been an element of the National System for Environmental Information, Education and Training, initiated by the Ministry of the Environment. From the Centre radiate a series of easily walkable paths that lead to the main emergencies in the area. One path, which starts directly from the CEAS, is equipped for the disabled with a wooden slatted walking surface and fences with handrails and leads to a hut for observing birds in the lake.