Ferriere - Lake Moo - Lake Bino - Prato Grande
A borderland between Piacenza, Parma and Genoa, Ferriere is your starting point.
Just 3 kilometres away is Canadello.
From here, you can either take an easy dirt road, which is not accessible to motorised vehicles, or you can follow the shorter path number 021 of the CAI, which cuts out several hairpin bends. In a short time you will get to the largest basin of the Apennines of Piacenza, where, at an altitude of about 1,100 metres, lies Lake Moo, of glacial origin.
The basin is now drained and invaded by marsh flora. It is shaped like an oval and was formed by geological mechanisms produced by the ice that descended from Mount Ragola, a scenic trapezoidal massif.
Walk past the Lake Moo area and climb about 100 metres up a wide driveway to Lake Bino.
Unlike its predecessor, this body of water is not extinct, but appears as a natural pool, again the result of deposits from the former presence of a glacier.
It will offer you a splendid view of the valley and a rich bloom of buttercups, gladioli triton and water lilies, symbols of an unspoilt, ancestral landscape.
The itinerary continues to the third and final stage of the first route, namely Prato Grande. Its name is linked to its conformation: it is, in fact, a vast grassy area, which in the past housed lake basins that have disappeared due to silting.
In this area, rich in mushrooms, you will encounter grazing herds and birds of prey.
Ferriere - Lago Nero - Ferriere
The second route we suggest is a loop route that starts and ends in Ferriere, reaching, in between, Selva, Lago Nero and Buche.
This is a slightly longer route than the first, with an initial drive to Selva.
From here, take CAI path number 007. Ignore the signs for Dogana at the crossroads and continue through the beech forest until you reach Fontana Gelata. The name is not accidental: you can take advantage of it to refresh yourself and quench your thirst at the source.
At this point, simply cross the stream on the left and follow the signs for CAI path number 011. Here you are at the Lago Nero.
Nestled between beech and silver fir trees, the site offers striking views of the surrounding mountains. The lake basin lies in the glacial basin bordered by a small moraine hill.
To return to the base, you can either retrace the entire route in reverse, retracing your steps, or first take CAI path number 001, which leads to Le Buche, and then path number 005.
We recommend this second option, because it is worth peeking at a few more enchanting glimpses before setting foot in Ferriere again. You may be a little longer, but you certainly won't regret it.
