To be included in our favorites of the most beautiful places to see in Corsica and suggested by all the tourist guides, the hike to the Melo and Capitello lakes in the upper Restonica valley a few kilometers from Corte is an absolute must during your stay on a camping holiday in Corsica.
Lake Mélo and Lake Capitello in the Center of the Corsica National Park
We can say it, Lac de Melo is one of the most beautiful lakes of glacial origin in Corsica at 1711m above sea level. It offers breathtaking natural landscapes. Very surrounded by vegetation which is rather rare in Corsica, the contours of the lake and the picnic areas between the alders and rowan trees are very well protected and monitored. It is important to respect the place and leave no trace of your passage there.
Lake Capitello at 1930m surrounded by relatively impressive rock towers is a jewel of the mountain island of the upper Restonica valley. From the Grotelle sheepfolds, the path first reaches Lake Melo then Lake Capitello.
These two glacial lakes offer very different landscapes. Lake Mélo with emerald green water and the contours of spaces inviting picnic breaks while Lake Capitello offers a very mineral landscape with its intense blue water and its high rocky cliffs. This diversity of marvelous landscapes totally represents Northern Corsica.
Hiking route
From Corte (Central Corsica), head towards the Restonica valley for 16km and arrive at the Grottelle sheepfolds. This is the starting point for the hike to the lakes. It takes about 3 hours round trip to get to the first one at Lake Melo. The trail is not shaded, you should plan to leave early in the morning. To get to the second lake, you have to add 45 minutes (one way only) and this part is more difficult than the first.
The path is well marked, it is necessary to have shoes suitable for walking because it is strewn with small stones. The hike is one of the most beautiful on the island.
