Hike to Creno Lake from Soccia to Orto

Lake, forest and mountains

Lake Creno or lake Crena is 250 metres long and around 100 metres wide, ringed by laricio pines at an altitude of 1315 metres above the Izzola reservoir. The trail is accessed from the large iron cross - Croce Maio - in the commune of Soccia with a refreshment and fast food point with a dirt car park big enough for everyone.

It's an ideal family walk without great difficulty that takes 2 hours to complete, on the eastern side of the valley with a steady climb without variation to the lake. The path is signposted, clear and a little rocky.

Procession to the Sant'Eliseo Chapel - Orto

At an altitude of 200 metres higher above the lake is the Chapelle Sant'Eliseo, for which a procession is held every year on August 29 with a passage across the lake.

Wildlife - Pigs and water lilies

Pig encounters are not uncommon on the path leading to the lake with its spring and the fontaine de Veduvellu. A few chestnut trees at the start quickly give way to the on a trail that is half earth and half rock, along which you can come across cows, and more certainly pigs on the shores of the lake who move about in complete peace, not hesitating to take a dip in the warm weather, as well as furtive passages of ducks and noisy geese not very shy.

Be careful, however, not to possess any food in the presence of the pigs.

The legend around the lake

Lake Creno drags behind it a mysterious and gloomy belief that gave it the name lac du diable, because according to legend, the devil inhabited the depths of the lake to escape Saint Martin. He was dislodged by the prayers of a pious man who caused the lake to dry up to scare away the evil spirit, before it filled up again.

A legend that may have something to do with the lake's lack of light between the mountains and the tall laricio pines.

IGN map and altitude difference - Lac de Creno