Lake Rataira
| Lake Rataira | |
|---|---|
| Location | Roccaforte Mondovì, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy |
| Coordinates | 44°10′38″N 7°42′31″E / 44.17709°N 7.70857°E |
| Basin countries | Italy |
| Surface elevation | 2,204 m (7,231 ft) |
| Islands | None |
The Lake Rataira is an alpine lake located at 2,204 m a.s.l.[1] in the Ligurian Alps, in the municipality of Roccaforte Mondovì. It is situated in the upper valley of the Ellero, just north of the Colle del Pas.
Toponym
The lake, besides being known as Rataira, is also referred to as Lake Ratavuloira,[2] a toponym derived from the term used in Piedmontese for the bat (flying rat). Rataira could also come from Piedmontese and mean mousetrap, perhaps in the sense that the lake’s muddy waters can act as a trap for rodents.[3]
History
Not far from the water’s surface, there is a menhir. Its origin is uncertain,[3] possibly Celtic.[4]
Hiking
The lake can be reached via the trail that from Pian Marchisio, in the municipality of Roccaforte Mondovì, ascends to the Colle del Pas, a pass that is in turn connected to Carnino (municipality of Briga Alta, Val Tanaro).[5] Another route starts from the Rifugio Garelli refuge and, after passing the Porta Sestrera (through which the GTA also passes[2]), quickly reaches the lake. From the lake, it is also possible to head into the valley west of the Rifugio Garelli by crossing the Porta del Merguareis,[6] a pass at 2,298 m a.s.l.[7]
Notes
- ^ Cartografia ufficiale italiana [Official Italian Cartography] (in Italian). Istituto Geografico Militare.
- ^ a b Sainsbury, Brendan (2011). "Circuito del Marguareis" [Marguareis Circuit]. Camminare in Italia [Walking in Italy] (in Italian). EDT. p. 83. ISBN 978-88-6040-742-9. Retrieved 2020-02-10.
- ^ a b Pockaj, Roberto (2011). "Trenotrekking da Ormea a Limone". Alpi Liguri [Ligurian Alps] (PDF). Guide di Piemonte Parchi (in Italian). Piemonte Parchi (Regione Piemonte). p. 40. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "Porta di Pian Marchisio - Lago Rataira - Colle del Pas - Cima Pian Ballaur" (in Italian). Alpi Cuneesi - escursionismo in provincia di Cuneo. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- ^ "9 - Da Ceva a Imperia" [From Ceva to Imperia]. Piemonte (non compresa Torino) [Piedmont (excluding Turin)] (in Italian). Touring club italiano. 1976. p. 271. ISBN 978-88-365-0001-7. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Ceragioli, Filippo; Molino, Aldo (2018). "Parco naturale regionale del Marguareis - Il rifugio Garelli e la cima di Pian Ballaur" [Marguareis Regional National Park - Rifugio Garelli and Pian Ballaur hill]. Escursioni imperdibili nei parchi del Piemonte e dintorni [Unmissable Excursions in the Parks of Piedmont and Surroundings] (in Italian). Edizioni del Capricorno. pp. 132–136. ISBN 978-88-7707-390-7.
- ^ "Val Vermenagna, Valle Pesio, Alta Valle Ellero". Carta dei sentieri e stradale [Map of Trails and Roads] (in Italian). Ciriè: Fraternali editore.
Bibliography
- Cartografia ufficiale italiana [Official Italian Cartography] (in Italian). Istituto Geografico Militare.
- "Val Vermenagna, Valle Pesio, Alta Valle Ellero". Carta dei sentieri e stradale [Map of Trails and Roads] (in Italian). Ciriè: Fraternali editore.
- "Alpi Marittime e Liguri" [Maritime and Ligurian Alps]. Carta [Map] (in Italian). Turin: Istituto Geografico Centrale.