Charm can be hardly invented and Tovel is certainly not without it! The intriguing halo that surrounds it makes it one of the most evocative places of the Park and of the Brenta. Famous in the past for the phenomenon of redness, an unmissable destination today.
The Brenta Dolomites are majestically reflected in its clear waters. This lake is the most popular of the Park, especially in summer, the largest of the Brenta Dolomites, for many the most beautiful, certainly the most famous. Until 1964, on hot summer days it took on a bright red color. Among the various explanations illustrated in the Visitor Center of the Park, there is the legend of Queen Tresenga, which has nothing to do with science.
In fact, recent studies have revealed that the redness was due to an organism called Tovellia sanguinea. This alga dyed the waters of an intense red color, above all in the Red Bay of the lake.
Today Tovellia still lives in the plankton of the lake together with other organisms, but in small numbers. Not enough to make it even red. Despite the cold water, the winter frost and the lack of nutrients, these algae are able to complete the entire life cycle. Among the fish that inhabit the lake we find minnows,stone loaches and alpine chars. These share the habitat with various species of reptiles and amphibians, such as water snakes (dice and grass snakes), mountain frogs and common toads.
The lake has glacial origins but expanded following a large landslide. Long ago, the landslide blocked the emissary, widening the basin and thus submerging an ancient forest. As evidence of this, tree trunks are still present at the bottom of the lake.
