Marvel at the mountains reflected in the beautiful alpine lake and be intrigued by the legend of the 'Old Woman and the Bear' carved in stone.

Access and parking

From Biella, you reach Piedicavallo along the SP 100 road (18 km). Before entering the village, take the ring road on the left and reach the large car park near Ravere Park (1049 m).

Route

From the large car park, walk uphill to the right and reach the last small square of the village, where you turn left onto Via Lago della Vecchia, which is also marked by numerous signs and trail markers (E50). After passing a flight of steps and a long row of houses, the mule track leaves the village and continues between two low dry stoned walls. After about ten minutes, you reach an important crossroads with a small stone chapel. Continue straight ahead, leaving the road to the left for the Irogna valley. You will quickly gain height, walking through a shady beech wood, until you reach the hamlet of Rosei (1179 m - 20 minutes from Piedicavallo). Continue along the path, easily fording a small stream and reaching Alpe Casette (1410 m). After a few wide hairpin bends, you will reach a junction where the path to Alpe Cunetta and the Ambruse valley branches off to the right.  Keep left on the main path and reach the remains of the lower Alpe la Vecchia located on a grassy plateau at 1710 m (1 hour and 40 minutes from Piedicavallo). From here, the path climbs more steeply and soon leads to the Lago della Vecchia hut.

To reach the lake, follow the flat path indicated by the refuge, which reaches the destination in about 10 minutes.

From the lake it is possible to reach the colle della Vecchia, at an altitude of 2187 m, by an easy mule track. From here, you can enjoy a splendid view over Biella and the Aosta Valley.

Descent along the ascent route.

References

Passeggiate sulle montagne del Biellese di Corrado Martiner Testa - Blu edizioni