We are in Valle Vogna, at Cà di Janzo, and in about fifteen minutes we arrive at Sant'Antonio, where we make a brief stop to drink a coffee that gives us energy to tackle our climb.
The Abbot Antonio Carestia, an illustrious botanist, mountaineer, expert parchment translator and the man to whom the hut that will welcome us in a few hours is dedicated, lived in this splendid hamlet in the 1800s.
Along the dirt track we find a drinking fountain that offers us fresh water to fill our water bottles. We now arrive at the crossroads and follow the signpost 202, which takes us to the Rifugio Abate Carestia.
The path immediately becomes steep, but we do not realise this so much as we are immersed in the splendour of the nature that surrounds us.
When we reach the hamlet of Piane, we admire the hamlet of Peccia for a few moments, where there is a bright little artificial lake and numerous Walser houses. We set off again!
After two and a half hours, we arrive at Rifugio Abate Carestia (2201 m). Fatigue sets in but the view comforts us, giving us the strength to continue our ascent to admire as many natural wonders.
Here is an ibex! We are almost certain to meet many more; ibexes love to live in this area and run up and down these slopes.
We smell a good scent coming from the refuge, but alas, lunch is waiting for us on the way back….
The Refuge is a large stone building, surrounded by high peaks and flanked by a clear stream; an ideal place for a relaxing weekend away from noise and daily stress.
It has a bar-restaurant and 30 beds. The building, dedicated to Abbot Carestia, was built in 1995 to replace the old construction that had become unsafe.
Awaiting us, half an hour from the refuge, is the majestic Lago Bianco (2332 m). Although the water is very cold, the bravest can take a dip!
The lake, insolated between the mountains, is shallow and inhabited by char. Fishing enthusiasts can expect us here practising no-kill fly-fishing, while we continue, skirting the entire lake, towards the Black Lake.
We dedicate another 1h 30' of walking time and arrive at Lake Nero (2672 m), which is very deep and inhabited by char, rainbow and a few beautiful brown trout. We will almost certainly have to tread some snow: a fantastic mountain climate and a lot of peace and quiet will welcome us.
Do you know what an ancient legend has it?
It is said that a bride lost her ring right here, at Lake Nero, and that it was later found in the fountain of the ‘Giavino’ (a spring between Riva and Alagna, opposite the petrol station).
The difficult path that experienced hikers take to get to Corno Bianco starts from Lago Nero; this path requires a great deal of attention, in fact, many mountaineers have lost their lives here. It was therefore necessary to equip the path with chains.
But we proceed no further, we have already walked 4h 30' and, above all, the polenta with sausage at the Refuge is waiting for us!
