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Rinoso Lakes Hike

Important: Since 2023, the Restonica Valley road has been inaccessible by car or shuttle bus beyond the Frasseta Bridge. This considerably lengthens the hike.

The hike to the Small and Large Rinoso Lakes provides access to two lesser-known gems of the Upper Restonica Valley, located at 2,082 and 2,065 meters above sea level, respectively. Though much less frequented than their famous neighbors, the Melo and Capitello lakes, they have remarkable charm and are a true haven of peace in a mineral environment.

Remarks

Access: Since the November 2023 storms, the Restonica Valley road has been inaccessible by car beyond the Frasseta bridge. This considerably lengthens the hike, which is now nearly 20 kilometers round-trip with a 1,300-meter elevation gain.

Shuttle: From early May to late September, a shuttle service operates from the Corte train station to various starting points in the Restonica Valley. Since 2023, the shuttle has also been blocked at the Frasseta Bridge.

Difficulties of the hike

The route begins on a well-marked trail shared with the popular climb to the Melo and Capitello lakes. However, pay close attention at the fork leading to the Rinoso Valley, as it is only marked by a large cairn.

After leaving the main trail, the climb along the left bank of the Rinoso stream is steep but winds up to a plateau offering a welcome break. After the fork, the trail is not marked, but there are regular cairns that must be followed carefully. A large rock slab marks the final passage: the trail goes around it on the left, then a path to the east leads you to the lakes in a few minutes.

What you'll love

The magnificent lakes in a rocky setting with the majestic Lombarduccio (2,268 m) as a backdrop.
The exceptional tranquility of the site: You'll escape the crowds that invade Melo and Capitello lakes and the Restonica Valley in general.