“Monviso is the shred of an ancient ocean floor raised up and driven into the sea of surrounding carbonate rocks”
Augusto Biancotti
Whether it is spring, summer, or fall, climbing from Pian della Regina (Crissolo) up to Lake Fiorenza to Pian del Re always gives many emotions.
We are located in the Po Valley, a valley in the Cottian Alps in the province of Cuneo carved by the river Po, before it enters the Po Valley.
Although the valley is only 32 km long and has no major population centres, it is important because it is home to one of the best-known peaks in Piedmont, Monviso, the highest peak in the Cottian Alps (3,841 mt.), whose history began about 175 million years ago at the bottom of an ocean that separated the Eurasian and African plates, and also gives rise to the longest river in Italy, the Po.
Our advice is to start the route from Pian della Regina which, in addition to free parking (the same cannot be said for Pian del Re), gives you the opportunity to encounter two striking waterfalls, which arrive directly to the very young Po River.
Following the signs to Pian del Re, a green plateau at an altitude of 2020 meters, we can find aftera few minutes the first water jump.
You immediately realize that the waterfall is idyllic: it widens majesticallyto green slopes on whose shoulders stand Monviso and Visolotto.
Continuing uphill, just before Pian del Re, is the second waterfall of the Po, which makes a higher drop than the previous one.
Just above, you encounter the little church of Madonna della Neve, from here in just a few minutes you arrive at Pian del Re, where your gaze can stretch overthe boundless spaces of the Po Valley, and over the peaks of Viso Mozzo and of the Traversette.
About ten more minutes of walking and you get in front of the original spring of the Po River, which is marked by a stone inscription.
From this point, in a few minutes of walking, continuing on a well-marked trail, you can reach the beautiful Lake Fiorenzawithout any particular difficulty. Again, the trail provides beautiful views of the river and the plateau below.
The lake mirrors natural winds and Monviso and Visolotto, which here reflect their majestic silhouettes in the waters, giving a sense of absolute peace and beauty.
After pausing for some time in front of this beautiful lake, it is possible to climb to the right above a steep slope so that you can grasp its full majesty.
At this point it is possible to continue the walk either to Lake Chiaretto, or to the lakes Lausetto inferiore and Lausetto superiore. To reach these other lakes, you need to calculate another hour's walk.
Foto e testo @alessandra.corra
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