Corte / Restonica
Lakes Melo and Capitello
From A Frasseta, follow the upper Restonica valley to the Grotelle shepherds’ huts, then lakes Melo and Capitello: a full mountain day after the connection from Corte.
Two lakes and a long walk up the valley
Reaching Melo and Capitello now takes effort well before the first rock slabs above Grotelle. The hike begins at A Frasseta in the Restonica valley and gradually enters the high mountains. Forest accompanies the first hours; higher up, trees give way to rocks, grassland and the mountains surrounding the lakes. This change of scenery is a full part of the outing, not a mere access walk to leave out of your plans.
The train takes you to Corte. You must then reach A Frasseta, for example on the seasonal shuttle, before starting to walk. Combining the transport legs means allowing a long day: the old timings from the shepherds’ huts car park no longer apply. Melo is a first destination in a more open basin; Capitello requires a further, steeper climb into a world of rock walls. Reaching the second lake means keeping enough energy to descend the entire route. This walk is intended for people used to long days on mountain terrain.
The route
From A Frasseta to Melo and Capitello
At A Frasseta, leave the shuttle stop for the waymarked start of the path. The climb begins among pines, with zigzags gaining height above the valley. At the junction, follow signs for Grotelle: several destinations share this area. Take this first part steadily. The lakes are still a long way off and the effort starts here, even if the trees provide a sense of shelter.
The route up the valley leads to the Lamaghjosu bridge, then towards the Grotelle shepherds’ huts. Follow the crossings and waymarks; do not improvise an alternative route along the damaged road. Gaps in the forest offer views of the terrain upstream. Approaching Grotelle, the landscape opens out and the pastoral buildings mark a transition. You reach the former starting area for walks to the lakes after already completing a substantial walk.
From the huts, follow the yellow waymarks towards Melo. The terrain becomes rockier and the gradient more noticeable. Stones make progress less regular than in the forest. The section equipped with ladders is part of this climb; keep your hands free and leave space between walkers. Do not try to overtake in a narrow passage. Wet conditions can slow progress considerably, and you must allow for the same on the return.
Arrival at Melo changes the pace. The lake basin offers a place to pause and a wider view of the mountain cirque. It is also the moment to decide whether continuing is sensible: fatigue, weather, time and confidence on rock matter more than a determination to see both lakes. Stopping here is a worthwhile option, provided you do not underestimate the long descent to A Frasseta.
Towards Capitello, climbing resumes on a more demanding route. Rocky passages require greater care and may require using your hands. As you gain height, Melo appears below; the second lake comes into view in a tighter basin dominated by rock walls. The contrast between the two basins is one of the route’s main attractions. This description ends at Capitello: it includes neither the breach nor a continuation along the GR20 ridges.
Return by the planned route, taking as much care on the equipped passages as on the ascent. After Grotelle, the hike is not over: the walk back to A Frasseta remains. Keep a margin before your reserved shuttle without relying on a hurried descent. Forest, shepherds’ huts and lakes already fill a whole day; photography stops and waits at narrow passages add to walking time.
Adjusting your destination
Grotelle or Melo can be shorter objectives, planned with enough time to return to A Frasseta. The old routes lasting a few hours from the shepherds’ huts no longer describe a full day from the shuttle terminus. The Capitello breach and ridges are not part of this walk.
Along the way
Photo credit
Photo : Chabe01 / Wikimedia Commons · Cropped — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SourceThe rocky Restonica landscape: near the start at Frasseta, rock walls rise above the pines and river, offering a first glimpse of the valley before the climb towards Grotelle.
Photo credit
Photo : Pierre Bona / Wikimedia Commons · Cropped — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SourceGrotelle: the shepherds’ huts mark a stage in the day and the start of the traditional climb to the lakes.
Photo credit
Photo: Ju2kiwi / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SourceMelo: a first lake in an open basin, where you can reassess the rest of the outing before another climb.
Photo credit
Photo: Benjamin GW / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0 · SourceCapitello: a more enclosed lake beneath rock walls; access is more demanding and the descent needs as much care as the ascent.
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Practical advice
Bring hiking boots, enough water for the day, substantial food, rain protection and a warm layer. Have an offline map and enough battery for the return. Put walking poles away on passages where you need your hands. Start early, set a turnaround time and keep to it even if the second lake seems close.
Safety information
Road access beyond the Tragone bridge was severely disrupted by the bad weather of November 2023. Do not plan a car drop-off at the Grotelle shepherds’ huts using an old route guide.
Access update checked on 19 September 2026: the closure following the July fire was lifted in late July and the C13 resumed on 1 August. This reopening does not guarantee there will be no temporary restrictions on the day of your outing. Conditions can change with weather, fire risk or works: check local announcements before setting off and keep away from damaged areas.
Ladders, wet rocks, lingering snow and thunderstorms can make passages difficult. Do not attempt a snowy or equipped passage without suitable experience. Give up on Capitello if you are tired or the weather deteriorates: catching a connection never justifies rushing a descent.
Photo gallery
Select a photograph to enlarge it.
Lake Melo and its rocky cliffs seen from the Rinoso pass.
Photo : Rémih / Wikimedia Commons · Cropped — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
Lake Melo at the foot of the cliffs of Lombarduccio.
Photo : Pierre Bona / Wikimedia Commons · Cropped — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source
A natural pool and rocks in the Restonica near Frasseta
Photo : Chabe01 / Wikimedia Commons · Cropped — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source_-_2021-09-08_-_40.jpg){kind=link}