The “La Valle” Nature Oasis in San Savino
The “La Valle” Nature Oasis, located in San Savino, a hamlet of Magione, is a 1,000-hectare wetland reserve within the Trasimeno Lake Regional Park. Characterized by shallow waters and typical lakeside vegetation, it serves as a valuable habitat for resting and nesting birds along the migratory route stretching from Northern Europe to sub-Saharan Africa. Over 200 bird species have been recorded in the area.
In winter, coots, mallards, pochards, teals, grebes, and ferruginous ducks arrive from Northern Europe; in spring, species such as reed warblers, great reed warblers, purple herons, squacco herons, and night herons arrive from Africa to nest here; in autumn, starlings, swallows, and ospreys can be observed.
Visiting the Oasis: On Your Own or with an Environmental Education Guide
As an Environmental Education Centre, the “La Valle” Oasis is part of the INFEA network of the Regional Centre for Environmental Information, Documentation and Education.
Visitors can explore the Oasis independently—individually or in groups of up to nine people—or join a guided walk, offered weekly and particularly suitable for families. Additionally, guided tours by reservation are available for groups of at least ten people.
The site features a visitor centre with a teaching room, a science and education lab, a bird ringing station, observation points, and binoculars and spotting scopes for birdwatching. There is also a laboratory equipped with stereo microscopes and a documentation centre.
The area offers comfortable trails, accessible routes with Braille signage, a beautiful water lily garden, and a wooden walkway that stretches out over the lake.
And if you don’t have your own equipment—no problem! The center provides binoculars and scopes for spotting wildlife. For true nature enthusiasts, it’s also possible to stay overnight at the Foresteria, a guesthouse located in a restored 19th-century farmhouse that once housed the custodian of the nearby emissary. Renovated according to eco-friendly and sustainable standards, the guesthouse is open year-round and offers 12 beds.