The three mountain lakes hike at Val Piora



                                      
We started early from the hotel as we have planned to catch the 7:30 train from Lugano.The hotel we stayed in Lugano was outside the proper town and we had to take a bus to reach the station.

It was in a very tranquil setting and our room in the 2nd floor had a balcony with a really nice view.The hotel was run by a middle aged lady who didnt know a word of English.Yet we shall never forget their hospitality.

We took the train to Biasca and then a post bus to Piotta.The Yellow Swiss Post buses are a matter of pride for the Swiss.They usually run in very remote locations and they dont carry posts but passengers.The journey to Piotta was beautiful as all journeys in winding hilly roads are.

From Piotta we took the funicular to Val Piora.It is said to be Europe's steepest funicular.The ride was wonderful.We stood in the lower portion of the funi and could see the valley residing beneath our feet,the houses turning tiny ,the roads changing into ribbons and the whole vallley adjusting itself to my visual range as if I was zooming out in my camera.

When we reached Piotta,we realised that there was a long walk ahead.
I have read about the easy hiking trail that covers the three mountain lakes:Lago Ritom,Lago Tom and Lago Cadagno.
The first patch of the hike is a on steep road that takes you to Lago Ritom.It starts just where the funi stops.
We walked almost half an hour on that road before we reached the lake. Old people and women pushing prams were walking on that steep hike as if it was the most normal everyday walk.This is something we have seen everywhere in Switzerland.While we are panting for breath, we could see old people,older than our parents walking up steep hilly roads in such confident strides.

Lago Ritom was a small lake with beautiful clear water.The place was wonderfully silent.The blue lake was surrounded by lush greenary and there were such a variety of flowers and some of them are rare and so picking was prohibited.We felt tired and at the same time refreshed as we sat beside the lake soaking the beauty of the place with all our senses.
I took out some biscuits,cake and water from my backpack...
From there there was no more a well made road;but there were signs pointing towards lago Tom.We walked following the signs.At Lago Tom we didnt descend to the lake but took some photos and continued walking towards lago Cadagno.
The Lago cadagno seemed the most beautiful of all.You can really see the sky,the clouds and the surrounding mountains reflected in its crystal clear water.The lake was lying there like a small private mirror for the beauties of nature.The sight was really breathtaking.There was a small cottage beside the lake...we walked around it taking pics...and  time passed by so fast...

Suddenly,we remembered that we will have to return to the funicualr station and it was a long walk...So we had to start...
Even today I can feel the breeze on my skin,smell the subtle fragnance of  alpine flowers,see the dazzling greenary and the sky rippling in the crystal clear water of the lakes...
We walked down fast,slightly dizzy with our senses full to the brim...and our bodies extremely tired...
At the funi station we drank some yoghurt drink I had with me and boarded the funi...
On the same day we had to reach Bellinzona.I had no hotel booked there.So we had to hurry...