Unlike many of its charming low-lying cousins, Lago di Ledro is elevated 655 metres above sea level, and surrounded by magnificent alpine scenery. With the brilliant greens of the surrounding area mixing with the deep blue of the sky reflected in Ledros’ crystalline waters, there’s no wonder that it has been hailed as one of the most beautiful lakes in Trentino. The dense forest that crowds towards the life-giving waters lend the lake a mystical, untouched feel—it almost seems as if this place could be the haunt of fairies and other legendary creatures. This is in part due to the isolated nature of the lake: until the 19th century, the lake was virtually unknown, and cut off from the rest of the outside world. Its birth is an even more amazing story: it was created by the blocking of a moraine from the ancient Garda glacier, and was subsequently home to various prehistoric settlers from as far back as the Bronze Age. The remains of their pile dwellings have been discovered in the present day, an archaeological marvel that gave a flash of insight into humanity’s unwritten history. Today, a trip there is sure to imbue you with the same sense of wonder and awe that it has inspired in countless past visitors.