Good on you dad! You’ve done it! You didn’t doubt it, but your son’s pleasure at seeing the first flames take hold in the fireplace makes you feel all warm inside. A night spent in this welcoming little Alpine refuge at more than 2,000 m a.s.l. at the end of Santa Petronilla Valley will be one of his best memories. Let’s hope that your fishing expedition tomorrow is a success, yielding some fish for your pan and making this experience even better.
You’d been promising it for a while and this morning you said “Get your rod: we’re going into the mountains with Rover.” His eyes filled with happiness. You put all your fishing gear in the car, along with a drone to document your special day, everything you needed for a night in the refuge and your dog, who certainly wasn't going to be left behind.
After driving for a few kilometres around a number of hairpin bends, you stop and get out of the car. And now the adventure begins!
A warm fire in the mountains
Leaving the house with relatives and friends (of both the two and four-legged variety), following paths that wind their way past woods, meadows and rocks, and reaching a mountain refuge overlooking a small Alpine lake. Taking the key hanging above the door, entering respectfully and then spending a warm, pleasant evening high up in the mountains. This is a truly unforgettable experience.
Walking above Biasca
The immensity of nature
Always be careful on the trails
The walk has made you thirsty
Arrived
Everybody in front of the fireplace
You have to check every detail
An alpine lake for you
A little fresh water and fatigue goes away
Crossing through the meadows dotted with colourful rhododendrons, cows grazing peacefully and a few patches of snow here and there makes you feel calm and peaceful. Do the mountains all around you remind you of just how small you are compared to nature? This is a good moment to use your drone and get a bird’s eye view of things.
However, there’s still a long way to go and you need to reach the refuge Alpe di Lago before dark.
Here it is: a small building just a few metres from the little lake. It looks like a picture-postcard scene. You walk up to the door and find the key hanging from a nail. You open the door and go in. You light the fire and cook a simple meal, made tastier by the surroundings. Then early to bed, because tomorrow will be a busy day full of excitement.
IN THE SURROUNDINGS
USEFUL INFO
Find a list of all the huts and refuges in Ticino at ticino.ch/alpinehuts.
CONTACTS
Bellinzona e Valli Turismo
T +41 91 825 21 31
info@bellinzonaevalli.ch
www.bellinzonaevalli.ch