The Lake and Morasco dam - (Italy) -A circular walk - (Lago e diga di Morasco)

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With this video I will take you to visit a particular and extraordinary place, set in a breathtaking alpine scenery. We are located in the Piedmont Region, in the North West of Italy, in Val Formazza, near the Swiss border.
I will take you with me to visit the lake and the Morasco dam.
This location is about 30 km away. from Canyon di Uriezzo which was the protagonist of my last video. This area, in fact, is very rich in places to visit and places to explore, as well as paths and hikes in the mountains
Morasco tells of a great beauty, but also of a very sad secret that is hidden under the shores of the lake.
The Morasco Lake, in fact, has no natural origin, but it is an artificial basin formed following the flooding and submersion of the ancient and homonymous Walser village, due to the creation of the dam.
At that time in the Ossola Valley area, which also includes the Formazza Valley, the hydroelectric industry experienced a strong development due to the need to meet the electricity needs of the underlying valleys, attracting capital and labor to an area that was in poor economic conditions.
On the other hand, however, in the name of progress, as often happens, something must be sacrificed.
The small village of Morasco, like the neighboring one of Riale, immediately nearby, were the last Walser outposts before the Swiss border.
In the past, Val Formazza was known as the "Via del Sale" or "Sbrinz Route" and was an important trade route that crossed the Gries Pass to reach Lombardy. Indeed, this Valley was the only Walser colony directly bordering the Goms, the one that is directly the homeland of this population of ancient Germanic origin.
In the 30s, the Edison Company decided to build an imposing dam in this area and the village of Morasco was sacrificed,
In truth it was inhabited by some families only during the summer period for the mountain pastures, but a certain melancholy remains, thinking that an entire village is hiding under the lake.
Until 1938 the tip of the bell tower of the Church of Sant'Anna and San Lorenzo was still visible to the naked eye, then it too disappeared swallowed by the waters of the lake.
Today this area lives and thrives on tourism all year round. The Valley is absolutely wonderful: it is one of the most spectacular scenarios of the entire Alpine arc.
The flora is characteristic of high mountain areas, but also has some rather rare species, such as the famous "edelweiss".
Before arriving at the dam and Lake Morasco, we cross the delightful and characteristic Walser village of Riale (1,730 m altitude -5,676 ft), where in winter you can practice cross-country skiing thanks to 12 km. of slopes and where it is possible to refresh oneself while enjoying the typical cuisine.
On a small hill, visible even from afar, the Oratory of Sant'Anna was built, in memory of the village of Morasco and also of the workers who lost their lives for the construction of the dam.
Finally, after a short stretch that can also be covered on foot, you arrive at the impressive dam, 55 m (18 ft) high and 525 m (1,723 ft) long.
And from there, finally begins the wonderful circular route that surrounds the entire Lake of Morasco, (1,815 m of altitude -5,954 ft), with blue and crystal clear waters, fed by the Toce river.
All around, the alpine scenery is absolutely extraordinary. The mountains of the Valley stand out very high and imposing, offering always different views from every perspective.
A landscape that truly leaves every visitor speechless.
If desired, numerous paths start from here that lead even higher, both for the less experienced hikers and for experienced mountaineers.
In short, a wonderful trip to a place that certainly leaves something in the eyes and in the heart.
Hope you'll enjoy it, my friends!
Renata