ロンコ・カナヴェーゼの湖・トップ20

Splendid alpine lake above Champorcher passing by the Dondena refuge

Like every year, a mountain bike ride to Lake Miserin...a mystical place...what more can I say?

A nice ride even on a gravel bike; the road is very dusty and sandy due to heavy vehicles working at altitude, but still easy to ride. The last 2 km or so before the lake have 3-4 killer sections due to the combination of steepness and rocks. Congratulations to anyone who manages to stay on the bike (without a motor); that wasn't my case.

A nice ride even on a gravel bike; the road is very dusty and sandy due to heavy vehicles working at altitude, but still easy to ride. The last 2 km or so before the lake have 3-4 killer sections due to the combination of steepness and rocks. Congratulations to anyone who manages to stay on the bike (without a motor); that wasn't my case.

The Miserin refuge and the lake, the large church in the pasture give this place a mystical aspect.

View of three valleys and Mont Blanc

Ridiculous climb, road and valley, first 4 km with some hard but balanced stretches of flat ground, the last 7 km are tough. Very degraded asphalt, with eight sectors where the road has been restored after landslides, then asphalt disappeared. There are 8 drainage grates to watch out for, they cross the road and are made of iron rods that fit a 25 tire comfortably. With a road bike, to be avoided on days of uncertain weather, the road sees the constant presence of stones and armrests, with water I think it's a mess.

From Hône, shortly after the Forte di Bard, 7km after Pont-Saint-Martin on the SS26 in the direction of N, turn towards Champorcher which you reach after another 15km of state road, shortly after the town centre follow the road on the right towards Dondénaz which after 5km becomes a dirt road (but still easily passable) until its end 7km later at an altitude of 2100m above sea level; there you can park in three large dedicated spaces or on the edge of the driveway. After passing the small cluster of huts, follow the signpost 7 on the left, paying attention about 30' from the start (1.5km) to take the well-marked deviation on the right that climbs under the slopes of Monte Dondena with a fair slope until reaching an altitude of 2450m above sea level, from here on large, almost flat meadows, after passing under an imposing sizzling power line, you easily reach the splendid basin of Lake Misérin. The circumnavigation of the reservoir in a clockwise direction is easy and you reach the refuge of the same name and the majestic Church of Notre Dame de la Neige. From here, following the easy dirt road, you complete the ring and return to the starting point.