Discovering the lakes
A long time ago giant glaciers shaped the slopes of the Alpine peaks, forming hollows and plains, where today fascinating small lakes are situated. They are numerous in the mountains of the Varaita Valley, of large and small size, which can easily be reached on interesting hikes.
In the following there is a short description of seven itineraries that lead to well over a dozen of the most beautiful lakes of the valley.
BELLINO
1) Ponte Pelvo - Lake Camosciera (2635m)
Altitude difference: 897 m
Time of ascent: 2.15 - 2.45 h
The small Lake Camosciera is situated in a hollow enclosed by the high rock faces of the Bric Camosciera, the Pelvo d'Elva and Mount Camoscere. There are several other tiny lakes in the neighbourhood.
The hike begins at the old bridge Ponte Pelvo (1738m), which is situated 1 km beyond Chiazale. Up the Reou Valley, we pass a trail on the left that leads to the Colle Bicocca. Having reached a junction at a big boulder we ascend to the left into the Camoscieretta Valley, then after a right turn we reach Lake Camosciera.
2) S. Anna di Bellino - Lake Mongioia
Altitude difference: 1233 m
Time of ascent: 3.30 - 4 h
Lake Mongioia is the highest body of water of the Cottian Alps: it is situated at an altitude of 3083 m on the southern slopes of the mountain of the same name. Close to the lake is the shelter Boerio, with 10 beds, opened year-round. The upper part of the itinerary is rather steep and strenuous.
You leave the car at the free space above S. Anna (circa 1850 m). You cross the creek at a bridge and follow the mule-track that passes the grange Cruset (2020 m) and enters the Rui Valley. Having walked across a grassy plain for a while, you leave the trail, which ascends towards the Fiutrusa Pass, at an altitude of 2500 m and continue on a steep trail to the left up to the Mongioia Pass (3065 m). Turning to the right you soon reach Lake Mongioia.
.:click here to take a look at the map of the lakes you can reach starting from Bellino:.
PONTECHIANALE
3) Chianale-Lake Nero-Blu Lakes-Lake Bes
Altitude difference: circa 800 m
Time of ascent: 2.15 - 2.45 h
This well known itinerary leads to some very charming lakes. The point of arrival is the plain of Col Longet (formed by a giant glacier a long time ago), where the Bes Lakes stretch out immediately, connected to each other by a narrow. In fact, the name "bes" means "double" or "twin" in Occitany.
Just having passed Chianale (1800 m) you leave the road that leads to the Agnello Pass and branch off to cross the creek at a bridge. You leave the car at an altitude of circa 1880 m before the second bridge. Take the trail that ascends steeply to the left, crosses a forest of larches, and winds its way up to the grange Antolina. Having overcome some steep slopes you reach a grassy hollow. You leave the main trail to the right and after an ascent of about 15 minutes you get to Lake Nero (2591 m), with the rocky Tour Real towering above. You return to the main trail, surmount a knob and descend after a short walk to the hollow of Lake Blu (2533 m). You continue towards the northwest until you get to a junction, where you turn left and ascend to the Bes Lakes (2649 m).
.:click here to take a look at the map of the lakes you can reach starting from Chianale:.
4) Castello - Forciolline Lakes (2807 m)
Altitude difference: 1204 m
Time of ascent: 4 - 4.30 h
The Forciolline Lakes are situated in a savage, rocky valley at the bottom of the Monviso. The biggest one of them is the largest natural body of water of the Varaita Valley. The itinerary is completely marked, but in the upper part a real trail is missing and you have to continue among the rubble.
From the village Castello (1603 m) you follow the mule-track that ascends the Vallanta Valley up to the grange del Rio (1988 m). Then you take the trail on the right that winds its way up to the small shelter Berardo (circa 2710 m), which is situated at the bottom of the Rocce di Viso. You continue towards the east, traversing knobs and dells of detritus until you reach Lake Grande delle Forciolline (2807 m).
5) Castello - Lake Bertin - Lake Lungo - Lake del Prete
Altitude difference: circa 1200 m
Time of ascent: 3.30 - 4 h
Walking for a while on the famous "Giro del Monviso" you reach the three tiny lakes in the rubble fields situated prior to the S. Chiaffredo Pass.
From Castello (1603 m) you follow the mule-track that ascends the Vallanta Valley up to the grange Gheit. Here you branch off to the right and take the trail with the markers of the GTA (Grande Traversata delle Alpi), which ascends in a beautiful forest of pine and larch. Then the trail goes up the Giargiatte Valley with spectacular, rocky ridges towering above. When the S. Chiaffredo Pass comes into view, you can ascend to the left towards the shelter Bertoglio (2760 m) and Lake del Prete (2706 m) or continue to follow the main trail that leads to Lake Bertin (2701 m) and Lake Lungo (2743 m) situated shortly below the pass.
6) Castello - Lake Bagnour - Lake Secco
Altitude difference: circa 470 m
Time of ascent: 1.30 - 1.45 h
This stroll takes us to the magnificent Alevè Forest. Lake Bagnour and Lake Secco, nestled between the pines, are two small bodies of water that are gradually becoming peat-bogs. After long draught periods you might find them dried up. They are home to a small crustacean, a kind of shrimp that seems to occur exclusively in this area.
From Casteldelfino you proceed towards Pontechianale and leave the car shortly before the village Castello. You follow the mule-track that ascends diagonally towards the east entering the Alevè Forest. You pass the branch off towards the grange Baciasot on the right, cross a clearing and ascend to the right to reach Lake Bagnour (2017 m). Walking along the small lake you continue on a marked trail that descends into the forest to Lake Secco (1890 m). From here you can reach Casteldelfino (1296 m) directly along a trail that goes down towards the south, first passing the granges Pralambert superiore and inferiore and then the villages Alboin and Bertines (road access). The itinerary can also be hiked the other way round.
.:click here to take a look at the map of the lakes you can reach starting from Castello:.
SAMPEYRE
7) Madonna della Neve – Lake Luca
Altitude difference: circa 600 m
Time of ascent: 1.45 - 2 h
Luca Lake is imbedded in a lovely place: on a grassy plain with a wonderful panorama, where you might easily encounter grazing horses.
From Sampeyre you ascend the valley, passing Calchesio, then you turn right towards Roccia. Here you continue to the left on a road that soon after becomes a dirt road. You pass the villages Ciampanesio and Pui and, a little further on, the small church Madonna della Neve (1711 m). You leave the car at a barred turn off and follow the main dirt road on the right. Immediately before the bridge over the Milanese River you take the track for tractors on the left and proceed through the pastures in direction of a hut. Before you reach it you turn left again and ascend a grassy slope, where you find a trail. After several turns you arrive at the plain above the tiny Lake Cibuo (circa 2160 m). You proceed on the right passing grassy knobs, strewn with boulders. Traversing a semicircle you reach Lake Luca (2371 m).
.: click here to take a look at the map of the lakes you can reach starting from Sampeyre:.