Ticino alpine lakes by Pamy Pintus
Another great resource of the Canton Ticino are the suggestive alpine lakes, surrounded by unspoiled nature, between grassy pastures and centuries-old woods. I have often organized trips to discover these little gems nestled in the mountains.
When the snow melts or after a few rainy days, these lakes change their appearance, and more than once I have had the impression that they are talking to me. Among the silence broken only by the chirping of birds or by the wind in the trees, I have often heard the soft murmur of the flowing water, a sound that becomes more and more imperious as you approach a waterfall. In some places, following the small streams, you will find natural basins which look like real pools of crystal-clear water where you want to dive in and enjoy.
In this idyllic landscape of Ticino there are many alpine lakes that amaze me every time, and there are no words for describing their eternal and unchanging beauty. Although I have often organized excursions, they never stop to enchant me. Each time they try to show me a different side, I feel as if I had never seen them before. They are so perfect that they seem to be painted by an artist who wanted to use every single color of his palette, always inventing new and surprising shades.
For this reason, I would like to share all these emotions with other people and to suggest at least some of the many lakes in Ticino that you can visit, to enjoy the peace and infinite joy that you feel when you become part of this wonderful nature.
Lake Ritom
Lake Cadagno, Ritom and Tom
Priora Valley
Lake Cadagno is one I highly recommend. In fact, it has a particularity that makes it unique: it is made up of two superimposed lakes, which also characterize it for flora and fauna. This lake is also the fishiest in the Canton, as fans of this sport know well. It is not uncommon to spot, for example, some specimens of trout or char. Lake Cadagno is located at about 1920 m a.s.l. in a rocky valley in the Priora Valley region.
I particularly recommend organizing a trip that also includes Lake Ritom and Lake Tom as you will have the opportunity to explore one of the most suggestive and natural landscapes that Ticino can offer. The excursion, in fact, does not present any difficulty and can be done easily by families with children, even if equipped with strollers. It takes about 3-4 hours depending on the stops you want to make. The walk starts from Ritom, after leaving the car at the parking lot near the dam of the same name.
From the dam, therefore, you can follow the indications for the didactic path, slowly advancing into a wood full of larches, pines, waterfalls and with numerous explanatory panels. In about an hour or so, depending on the step and the stops, you will reach Cadagno. Its upper part is normally fed by rain and melting snow; the water is low in mineral salts, which makes it lighter. The lower part of this lake, on the other hand, is getting water from underground springs and has no contact with the outside. It is rich in substances such as sulfur, magnesium, and calcium which it receives through the dolomite. For this reason, it is heavier and stratifies at the bottom.
If you have time and want to make a detour of about 40 minutes, you can head towards the Capanna Cadagno, with an intermediate stop in one of the dairies along the way, for a proper tasting of cheeses and ham. At La Capanna, a building built in 1934, you can taste typical Ticino dishes, rest and enjoy the view. At the end, you go back to Lake Cadagno and from here, you continue towards the Lake Tom, which is no more than half an hour away. You can stop along the banks of the small white sand beach and the more daring can also take a dip. Being silent and still for a few minutes, it is not uncommon to spot marmots and other animals in the area.
www.bellinzonese-altoticino.ch
Lake Tremorgio
Lake Tremorgio and Lake Leit
Leventina Valley
To reach Lake Tremorgio, I left Prato Leventina, which is located just over 900 m above sea level, and following the path that leads to the lake (1830 m a.s.l.) I reached the Tremorgio hut and the lake in one hour, which is one of the biggest in the region.
The path that runs alongside it is very simple and safe and therefore suitable for children. Leventina Valley, moreover, is perfect for organizing excursions. With a little more training, you can reach, for example, the Venett and Campolungo passes, admiring pastures, streams and waterfalls. Also from Lake Tremorgio, then, you can reach Lake Leit (about 50 minutes on foot) passing right from Alpe Campolungo at about 2100 m. The landscape is magnificent as you go up the meadows turn into rocky expanses. You will arrive at the Leit Hut which is a wonderful stop-over place to refresh yourself. I ate a nice plate of polenta with local cheeses, and I appreciated the Lake Leit.
The Audan lakes
The Audan lakes
Leventina Valley
Sports fishing enthusiasts should not miss the Audan lakes in Ambrì, which are very well-equipped to practice this sport. In fact, there is also well-stocked shop that sells all the necessary equipment. The largest lake is reserved for those who buy a license that lasts one day and for which, however, it is possible to fish only 10 trout, while the small one is open to all and the fish is paid at the end, per kilo. In this case, everything necessary for fishing can also be provided. Obviously, these ponds are ideal to spend a nice and relaxed day with your family. On the other hand, they are not appropriate for those who love adventure, the exciting paths and climbs to ever higher peaks.
Lake Tomeo
Lake Tomeo
Lavizzara Valley
Lake Tomeo is reachable by a path that starts from Broglio, in the Lavizzara Valley, of course, the car must be left in a special parking lot along the river. In recent years, a comfortable pedestrian path has been created, but, in a certain sense, it has removed much of the wild charm of this area.
After a climb of about 2 hours, you can reach the Tomeo Refuge, which was completely renovated recently and perfect for a stop. From the 700 m of Broglio I arrived at the 1740 m of the refuge, so it is necessary to catch your breath before going back to the lake. Its banks can be joined in just 10 minutes, going down a little. The path is not very demanding, but it is necessary to equip yourself with suitable shoes. Lake Tomeo always fascinates me for the intense color of its waters and is one of the most beautiful places in Ticino. In fact, you can organize several excursions to Sonogno or Prato Sornico from here.
Lake Canée
Lake Canée
Riviera Valley
The small Lake Canée is in the Riviera Valley and it can be reached by a path that starts from Claro, at about 290 m until reaching an altitude of 2198 m. Pizzo di Claro is one of the most well-known mountains in the area and also the most complex to be reached on a day's walk; its north side is located in front of the Cresciano Valley, while the south side dominates the Bellinzonese and Riviera.These two peaks are connected by a ridge that is easy to walk along, and Pizzo also holds the Lake Canée, whose waters are a beautiful blue, made even more exciting by the trees, mountain pastures and glaciers. Of course, it is a strenuous hike for which I spent more than 4 hours choosing the route from Censo to 770 m, but it was worth it, however, because the view from that point is simply wonderful.
This is in short, my experience on some Ticino lakes, even if the adventures to tell are never ending.
Pamy Pintus
