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CAI signpostPhoto: Staff Visit Modena FV, Visit Modena
The charm of three lakes considered among the most beautiful of the Modenese Apennines and that of a road crossing the Tosco-Emiliano Apennines at its highest section.
The splendid emerald-colored water surface of Lago Santo, a typical glacial lake basin, needs no introduction. Nestled beneath the rocky bastion of Mt. Giovo (1911 m), it almost seems to compete with the rock and is perhaps the most frequented in the Modenese Apennines.
Along the route to Foce a Giovo there are two unmissable detours: one to Lago Baccio at the base of a glacial basin closed by the head of Monte Rondinaio and the other to Lago Turchino, even more secluded and untouched than the others.
The arrival point is Foce a Giovo, where the “strada del Duca” once passed: officially inaugurated in 1823, this new road connecting the Duchies of Modena and Lucca ascended from Fiumalbo to the pass at an altitude of 1664 m, then descended to Lucca along the Orrido di Botri.
The route develops in an “alpine” and wild environment beneath the rugged peaks of the Giovo, Altaretto, La Porticciola, and Rondinaio Lombardo mountains.
Author’s recommendation
High-altitude route accessible to everyone. For families with small children: suitable only up to Lago Baccio.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
The uphill section on trail 517 towards Lago Turchino is steep. Some passages among erratic boulders require caution; otherwise, the route presents no particular difficulties.
Check the weather conditions before departure and remember that the mountain environment can be subject to variability.
Tips and suggestions
For more information contact:
Modena Tourist Information and Welcome Office (IAT)
Piazza Grande 14 - Modena
Tel. 0592032660
info@visitmodena.it
www.visitmodena.it
Roadbook
Start from the paid parking lot at Lago Santo (altitude 1450 m).
Climb on a paved surface and after 400 m you will find the first sign for trail 519 to Foce a Giovo. For now, turn right towards Lago Santo, which is only 100 m away. The lake is equipped with 3 huts located along its shores. After returning to your steps, take the GEA-Lago Baccio marked trail on the right, which shortly becomes a wide stony road with a slight ascent, pleasant to walk under the shade of the beech forest.
At Km 1 (15 minutes) you will find the fork to Foce a Giovo, which you should return to only after climbing to Lago Baccio, reachable shortly by continuing straight, altitude 1560 m (Km 1.7 - 30 minutes). Back at the previous fork, take trail 519, which alternates sections inside the beech forest with others more exposed and filled with erratic boulders fallen from the ridge of Rondinaio Lombardo. Continue in the forest until Km 4 (1 hour 20 minutes) where there is a marked deviation for Lago Turchino. Then follow the path 517 on the right, which climbs very steeply into the forest reaching finally the grassy basin of the lake at altitude 1620 m, overlooked by the summit of Rondinaio Lombardo (Km 4.8 - 1 hour 50 minutes). A few dozen meters away is a well-marked precious spring.
Ignore the first deviation to the “Finestra del Rondinaio” and the next to “Lago Torbido” and continue on trail CAI 519 (Sentiero Italia), slightly regaining altitude and eventually reaching “Foce a Giovo”, altitude 1664 m (Km 6 - 2 hours 25 minutes).
From the chapel at the pass, follow north the marked trail 519 with signs for “Lago Santo”. Descend to Pianoro delle Gore, grassy and marshy, rich in spring water, and soon reach the junction with Turchino crossed on the way up. Repeat the known route passing the fork for Lago Baccio and return to the starting point (Km 9 - 3 hours 30 minutes).
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
Set the starting location on your navigator to Lago Santo and reach it by your preferred means of transport.
Parking
Paid parking at Lago Santo
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Trekking shoes or boots, waterproof jacket, trekking poles, water, snacks, sunscreen.
If you do the route in winter, add to your backpack: warm clothing, fleece, down jacket, gloves, hat, and spare shoes/socks.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions