Reganel Lakes

<p>Reganèl Lakes: Caoria - Reganèl Lakes - Col della Croce - Val Regàna</p> <p>Reganèl Lakes? Probably, if you asked, many locals would not know where these charming lakes with the typical flavor of the wild Lagorai are located. This route, starting from Caorìa, forms a loop on the eastern slopes of the Cima d’Asta massif, in one of the least traveled corners of the Vanói Valley and more generally of the Lagorai.</p> <p>The route is initially steep but offers great rewards once you reach the top.</p>

<p>The trail starts from the locality of <strong>Ponte Belfe</strong> (900 m asl), at the eastern end of the village of <strong>Caorìa</strong>, along Trail No. 383, well marked from the parking lot. Trail No. 383 immediately starts to ascend, first through forest and then skirts the <strong>Rio Reganèl</strong>, along the homonymous valley on the eastern slopes of Cima Spiadón (2,312 m asl), with some open areas. The dense vegetation in some parts of the route is a clear sign of a path rarely used by hikers. Once you reach 1,600 m altitude, in a very rough open terrain, you notice the beautiful wooden bridge leading to Bivouac Baita Reganèl (1,717 m asl); the trail, however, continues uphill towards the ruins of Malga Reganèl, following directions to the Reganèl Lakes.</p> <p>After passing the ruins of <strong>Malga Reganèl</strong>, of which only traces remain besides the rough pasture, you climb again for a few hundred meters until you reach the basin of the <strong>Lower Reganèl Lake</strong> (1,854 m asl). From here the landscape is beautiful, rich in rhododendron flowers in June / July, with gradually opening views over the Lagorai and the surrounding peaks. The itinerary continues on Trail No. 383, leaving the Primiero area to enter Tesino, with a couple more steep stretches that lead to the <strong>Upper Reganèl Lake</strong> (2,087 m asl), which lies on the northern side of Monte Conte Moro summit (2,354 m asl), the most imposing peak in this sector. From the lake, a good part of the eastern Lagorai range can be seen. In these beautiful high mountain lakes, it is possible to see a somewhat mythical fish: the Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus), a species considered a “glacial relic” as it was already present during the glaciations.</p> <p>The trail proceeds climbing the northeast ridge of Monte Conte Moro, then follows the entire northern slope between Monte Conte Moro and Col della Croce, on a particularly beautiful stretch along the ridge, with gentle grassy slopes and signs of the past with some huts used by shepherds. At this point, the well-marked path becomes almost a drivable road and reaches the junction with Trail No. 387, coming from Lago di Lastè. The itinerary takes Trail No. 387 towards Col della Croce / Val Regàna Pass, in a final stretch of ascent, which already allows a glimpse of the summit, reachable by going 50 m right off the trail that skirts it. From the summit of <strong>Col della Croce</strong> (2,423 m asl), Cima d’Asta appears really close and imposing. From the pass, Trail No. 387 crosses to the other side and begins to descend towards the <strong>Val Regàna Pass</strong> on a path with some very steep downhill sections, somewhat exposed but never dangerous, with a very short section equipped with a small cord. From Val Regàna Pass (2,047 m asl), a connection point between Caorìa and Val Malene and today the crossroads of a couple of trails towards Cima d’Asta, the return to Caorìa begins. This return is somewhat long but never technically demanding, developing along the bottom of Val Regana along Trail No. 338. Once on the dirt road (about 1,280 m asl), the loop is completed by following directions for Caorìa / Ponte Belfe, along the road alternating flat stretches and descents, passing through the locality of <strong>Svàizera</strong>, with some beautiful views of farmhouses overlooking the Vanòi valley.</p>