Laghetto di Canée

Towards the Laghetto di Canée – A journey through history, nature, and alpine silence

It all begins on the edge of the village of Claro, at the foot of the Val Riviera, where the town hall marks the start of a trail climbing into the mountains. Starting at 296 metres above sea level, with a light step and a curious heart, you leave the noises of the valley floor behind.

After an initial section surrounded by greenery, you arrive at Censo (771 m), which can also be reached by car for those wishing to shorten the hike. From here, the landscape changes pace: the trail grows steeper, the views open up through the treetops, and the air turns cooler. Passing Moncrino Nord (808 m), you continue to Bens (1174 m), where the first alpine huts begin to tell stories of past pastures and seasons gone by.

The route continues to Peurett (1745 m), where the horizon widens and the silence deepens. Here the hike becomes an experience: the voices of the forest fade, giving way to a near-lunar landscape. After crossing Alpe Canée (1995 m), the path finally leads to the Laghetto di Canée at 2198 metres – a still, silent pool nestled among the rocks, where time seems to stand still.

The descent can follow the same path, but there is an alternative with a fragment of history. Returning to Peurett, you can take a route opened during the Second World War by Polish soldiers who had taken refuge in Switzerland – an ancient track carved into the mountainside. You pass through the alps of Garerescio (1783 m), Forcarid (1713 m), Domàs (1666 m) and Maruso (1135 m), each with its own voice, its own views, its own silence.

From there, you can choose: return to Claro via the Santa Maria Monastery, or descend towards Monte Nuovo and Tea, eventually reaching the car park in Censo. The hike demands commitment and good physical preparation: around 5 hours 45 minutes from Claro, or 4 hours from Censo, with an elevation gain of around 1900 metres.

For those wishing to extend the adventure, three mountain huts – Peurett, Garerescio, and Provei – offer shelter and tranquillity, perfect for savouring the slow rhythm of the mountains.

And for those still eager to climb higher, from the lake it is possible to reach the ridge overlooking the Val Calanca, continue to the Alpe di Motto, and finally descend to Domàs, completing an unforgettable loop through nature, memory, and wonder.