The hike from Prato Spilla ( Parma) to Monte Sillara
along the “Crinale”, with the return along the line of lakes that lie below the
crest is one of my favourite walks. I
have done this walk many times, but it is always enjoyable.
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| Monte Bragalata, PR |
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| Passo Giovarello, PR |
After a stiff
climb up from the Ski Station, one is rewarded with a splendid view of the
Lunigana and the sea at La Spezia. It
was not the clearest of days but the view was nice all the same.
On the way I took a quick detour down to Lake Martini,
one of my favourite places in the
Apennines.
I had photographed this lake a month ago when there was
still a lot of snow. Now just a small lump of snow at the end remained.
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| Lago Martini, PR |
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| Towards Monte Sillara, PR |
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| Wild Roses |
The footpath follows the narrow crest without particular
difficulty all the way to Monte Sillara,
the highest point in the Province of Parma at 1850metres. Here I stopped for
lunch. On the way I met a walker coming in the opposite direction who told me
that I was the first person he had seen on these mountains in two days of
walking. These mountains really are the place to go to get away from the world.
There is nothing like the sense of peace one has up here on the “Crinale”.
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| Laghi Sillara, PR |
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| Monte Sillara, PR |
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| Monte Sillara, PR |
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| Monte Sillara, PR |
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| Monte Sillara, PR |
Now it was time to descend down to the path that joins
three high level lakes.
Below Monte Sillara is Lago Sillara, two large lakes separated
by a narrow gravel ridge. The water in the smaller but deeper lake has always a
strong turquoise colour.
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| Laghi Sillara, PR |
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| Laghi Sillara, PR |
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| Laghi Sillara, PR |
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| Laghi Sillara, PR |
I was surprised that the smaller ponds along the trail had already dried up
considering all the bad weather we have had up to now.
Lago Compione was also low, so there was not much to see.
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| View towards Monte Sillara, PR |
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| Lago Martini, PR |
I passed lago Martini again before descending down on the
705 footpath to Prato Spilla.
On the way I came across a small picturesque lake near
Capana Biancan that is hardly marked on the map.
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| Lago Martini, Pr |
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| Lago Martini, Prn |
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| Lago Martini, Pr |
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| Capanna Biancani, Prato Spilla, PR |
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| Capanna Biancani, Prato Spilla, PR |
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| Capanna Biancani, Prato Spilla, PR |
I had been lucky. The weather had remained fine almost
cloudless for the whole day, a rare occurrence in this part of the Apennines.
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