• Nature
  • nature
  • mountain
  • lake
  • hut
  • hike

Shades of blue at Lake Tomeo in the Lavizzara Valley

THE PERFECT MOMENT
  • 19 September - 11.00
  • 12°
  • 1,739 m a.s.l.
  • Energic

About 36 km from Locarno lies Broglio, a typical village of the Lavizzara Valley at the end of the Maggia Valley, from which starts the path that leads up to the Capanna Tomeo at 1,739 meters above sea level. Nestled between the peaks lies a jewel hidden among the meadows, woods, and scree.

And now you've finally reached the top! The climb was challenging, but it was worth it. A 3-hour walk climbing a total of 1,080 meters through a rugged but enchanting landscape.

Clear blue sky, a cool and pleasant temperature, and the satisfaction of reaching your destination. In front of you are two mountain huts: the simple and Spartan Rifugio Tomeo, and the cozy and functional Capanna Tomeo. The latter offers 3 rooms with a total of 20 beds, well-equipped bathrooms, a well-stocked refectory, and, last but not least, a panoramic terrace worthy of envy!

While in the kitchen this week's volunteer hut keepers (Anna, Gloria, and Laura) are already hard at work, your stomach starts to grumble: homemade tagliatelle with ragù await you! The refectory is well provisioned and lunch flies by as you chat with the other guests.

You and your travel companion David decide to explore the hut’s surroundings. From there, it's just a stone's throw to lake Tomeo: a real spectacle of nature! A mirror of vivid colors embedded in a deep glacial basin that enchants you with reflections in a thousand shades of blue.

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Broglio-Capanna Tomeo trail

Broglio-Capanna Tomeo trail

Rifugio Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Rifugio Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Glacial basin of Lake Tomeo

Glacial basin of Lake Tomeo

Tomeo Lake, Tomeo Valley

Tomeo Lake, Tomeo Valley

Walk to Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Walk to Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Shades of Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Shades of Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Capanna Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Lake Tomeo, Tomeo Valley

Back at the hut, dinner is already being prepared: potatoes, mascarpa soft cheese, and cold cuts. 
And for dessert, there's raspberry tart. You spend a carefree evening playing cards over a glass of grappa or two. After they’ve finished clearing up in the kitchen, Anna, Gloria, and Laura join you for a chat. You listen to the three hut keepers with interest, and find out that the Capanna Tomeo, owned by the patrician of Broglio, was opened in August 2014 after 3 whole years of renovation work. Since then, the hut has been looked after over the summer by various volunteers, who help out from week to week.

The next day a tasty high-altitude breakfast of bread, butter, and jam await you with a incomparable view. Your stay at the Capanna Tomeo is coming to an end, but one thing is certain: one day you'll be back! Next time, however, your journey will continue along the Via Alta Vallemaggia route.

Pietro Zanoli, - hut warden of Alpe Nimi
Pietro Zanoli,hut warden of Alpe Nimi
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A GOOD DAY
7.30

Departure

10.00

Here you are at the hut

15.00

A walk to Lake Tomeo

19.00

Dinner time!

22.00

Goodnight people

IN THE SURROUNDINGS

USEFUL INFO

The route to the Capanna Tomeo is on a difficult T3 mountain hiking trail (yellow signposts with white-red-white).


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