Lake Sebino, more commonly known today as Lake Iseo is the most northerly of the alpine lakes. The lake is formed by the steeply sides of mountains dropping into its deep, blue waters giving it an almost fjord-like appearance. The splendid sight of the lake greets the travellers as they leave through tunnel on the SS 510, the road that runs above the small town of Iseo. On a clear day the view is quite breath taking. The lake veers to the right with Mount Presolana as a back drop. In the centre of the lake is the island of Montisola the imposing Mount Trentapassi acting as a sort of natural curtain hiding the northern banks of the lake.

Lake Iseo, the "Sebinus lacus" of the Romans is divided between the two important Lombardy provinces of Bergamo and Brescia.

The Bergamo side is to the west of the lake and has steep banks which plunge into the lake’s waters. The best views can be had from the main road carved through the rock running along side the lake. The Brescian side, to east has gentle shores from Iseo to Marone which then become ragged with the rocky sides of the mountain the Corna Trentapassi which drop sharply into the lake. Situated at the opening to the Camonica Valley, the lake is an important gateway to the province of Trento, the town of Bolzano and the whole of Central Europe and has thousands of years been the only means of access fo people moving down from the north to the planes. Up until last century boats were the sole means of transporting both men and goods from the south of the lake to the north. Large sailing ships of, up to forty meters long, with square sails worked their way up the lake from the main ports of Iseo and Sarnico in the south, to Lovere and Pisogne in the north. During the day this passage would be assisted by a wind called the Ora and by night the would leave with the Vet in their sails. It was only in 1850 that the "litoranea", a lake side road was opened between Marone and Pisogne Today this road through the rocks has fallen into disuse. The western side of the lake between Tavenrola and Castro became accessible by road only after the first world war. There was already however , in that period a railway line between Iseo and Pisogne and it was this great work of engineering that finally opened the way between Iseo and the Camonica valley. The villages at the southern end of the lake were linked by the railway in 1885 but it was not until 8^th July 1907 that the full 21 kilometers of railway that join Iseo to Pisogne became fully operational.

Today fast roads link Iseo and Pisogne, Sarnico and Lovere with stretches which run through tunnels dug deep into the heart of the mountains. The railway however still exists and for nature lovers it is possible to walk or cycle along the old carriage road.