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Nicholas Hobley
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Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello: The start of the walk.
Planetmountain
Beauty
By
Nicholas Hobley
Orientation
S
Ascent height difference
630m
Descent height difference
630m
Height
1990m
Difficulty
Medium
Time
5 hours
Period
Spring, summer, autumn
Popularity
high
Departure
Val Restonica
Arrival
Lac de Capitello
Route
Despite its popularity, the walk up to Lake Melo and Lake Capitello remains one of those itineraries which one must simply do. If you leave early in the morning you’ll manage to escape the consistent flow of hikers and, more importantly, you’ll manage to climb up to Lac de Melo in the cool shade. From here the itinerary steepens and in just 45 minutes leads to the deepest lake in Corsica: steep rock walls plunge 42m deep into the icy waters of Lac de Capitello. Absolutely not to be missed!
Getting there
Reach Corte via the N193. Access
From Corte take the D623 up Val Restonica to the Berges du Grottelle. Park and pay here. Itinerary
From the car park (1370m) follow the obvious path past the hut on the righthandside of the river (yellow markers) to reach Bergeries de Melo (typical local products for sale here). Shortly after the hut the path divides into two, and both options lead to the lake. The path on the right is shorter, slightly more demanding (fixed cable) and crowded, the path on the left is longer and in the shade. No hard guesses which one we recommend! Thanks to its relatively easy access Lake Melo is probably the most popular lake in Corsica, but its generous grassy shores are big enough for everyone!
The path now continues on the right up a steep scree gully, to then traverse leftwards across beautiful granite slabs. Allow 45 minutes to reach Lake Capitello – frozen solid for 8 months of the year but now a very refreshing break before starting the hot descent back down into the valley.
Return via the ascent path. Gear
Normal hiking equipment. Maps/Bibliography
42451 OT Monte d'oro, Monte Rotondo 1:25000
Reach Corte via the N193. Access
From Corte take the D623 up Val Restonica to the Berges du Grottelle. Park and pay here. Itinerary
From the car park (1370m) follow the obvious path past the hut on the righthandside of the river (yellow markers) to reach Bergeries de Melo (typical local products for sale here). Shortly after the hut the path divides into two, and both options lead to the lake. The path on the right is shorter, slightly more demanding (fixed cable) and crowded, the path on the left is longer and in the shade. No hard guesses which one we recommend! Thanks to its relatively easy access Lake Melo is probably the most popular lake in Corsica, but its generous grassy shores are big enough for everyone!
The path now continues on the right up a steep scree gully, to then traverse leftwards across beautiful granite slabs. Allow 45 minutes to reach Lake Capitello – frozen solid for 8 months of the year but now a very refreshing break before starting the hot descent back down into the valley.
Return via the ascent path. Gear
Normal hiking equipment. Maps/Bibliography
42451 OT Monte d'oro, Monte Rotondo 1:25000
Comments
20/01/2008 riccardo muratore
ben segnalato e, specialmente il lato più impegnativo molto bello, anche per bambini
Beauty
By
Nicholas Hobley
Orientation
S
Ascent height difference
630m
Descent height difference
630m
Height
1990m
Difficulty
Medium
Time
5 hours
Period
Spring, summer, autumn
Popularity
high
Departure
Val Restonica
Arrival
Lac de Capitello
Route
Routes in the same mountain group
Related news
09/10/2006 - Trekking
Corsica H2O - Trekking in search of fresh water Trekking in Corsica from Val Restonica with Lac de Melo and Lac de Capitello to the fantastic walks in the Bavella granite.