Black Lake, from St. Apollonia

Introduction

The Black Lake, together with the White Lake on the opposite side, is located near the Gavia Pass (no doubt known for epic cycling feats of recent and past), below the slopes of Monte Gavia in the Stelvio National Park. The proposed route leads to the lake by climbing part of the bucolic Valle delle Messi.

Description

From the parking area (approx. 1550m), go up the Valle delle Messi on the wide dirt track to the orographic left of the Oglio Frigidolfo. You pass in succession the "Case degli Orti" (ignoring on the right the signpost 56 for the "Baite di Caione") and the "Case Pradazzo" (ignoring on the left the deviation for the "Laghetti di Monticelli") and cross various grassy areas sometimes equipped with benches for resting. The road passes through some coniferous scrub and crosses to the right with the signpost [57] for Lago Nero and the Gavia Pass. Taking the right, go up the grassy slopes (beware: this is an area of vipers) to the ruins of the Baite Gaviola (2113m, 1h40'). To the left, cross a first stream, then the Rio di Gaviola incision and proceed over a few slabs of mounded rocks. A last stretch between grass and rocks and you are at Lake Nero (2386m, 2h35'). For the return journey, in addition to the same itinerary as the outward journey, you have two other options: you can, with the signpost [2], turn left to reach (watch out for the equipped section) the Bivacco Linge (2289m, 1h00') and then descend with the signpost [58] to the starting point in the Valle delle Messi (1550m, 2h40'), or you can take the dirt road near the lake and go up to the asphalt road of the Passo di Gavia, enter the tunnel Beware of passing cars: torch required and follow the road downhill, enjoying the magnificent views of the Adamello group and the Pietra Rossa and Valmalza chain, to Sant'Apollonia and the car park in Valle delle Messi (1550m, 2h40')