Valpelline, the Dried-Up Lake

It's strange to return to a place that has changed its appearance: indeed, because of the water emergency the lake has shrunk to almost a puddle, but it still keeps its charm, and the green bed is always wonderful. And as that De Gregori song went, "beyond that mountain the border, beyond the border who knows, beyond that mountain Hilde's house...", it seems you can always glimpse new borders beyond your own... To reach the place, take the road for the Great St Bernard Pass, and leave it to the right almost immediately, heading for Valpelline; after a few dozen kilometres, in this very gentle valley, you reach the dam. Leave the car and walk along the lake on foot (no special mountain gear needed), pushing on over a gentle up-and-down to the refuge where you can nibble a good polenta and sip some tasty grappa.

But apart from this particularly indulgent part, the valley is very beautiful, and so is glimpsing the glacier that separates us from Switzerland. A pleasant way to spend a good day intensely, refreshing the spirit and the eye. greetings to all, ventoenuvole