I’ll take you with me to Lake of the Fairies to discover Macugnaga, the enchanting village of Monte Rosa with the iconic centuries-old lime tree

The fresh mountain air welcomes us as soon as we arrive in the Anzasca Valley, in the province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola in Piedmont practically on the border with Switzerland. When your gaze lifts towards the majestic east face of Monte Rosa, you immediately understand why Macugnaga is defined as the pearl of these valleys.

This widespread village is located at 1,327 meters above sea level and enchants anyone who sets foot there and has a peculiarity: the world seems to “end” here given that it is the last town reachable by car before being able to continue only on foot on Monte Rosa. Beyond there is Switzerland. The immediate sensation is that of taking a real leap back in time, immersed in an Alpine architecture that has preserved its historical and cultural identity intact.

The Walser heritage between paths and traditions

Walking in the heart of Staffa, the main hamlet of the area, you can breathe in the liveliness of the center among characteristic shops and flower-filled wooden houses. From here we move on foot towards the Dorf, the ancient nucleus founded in the 13th century by the first Walser settlers.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta dominates the stone alleys and not far away is the Old Tiglio, a centuries-old tree over 700 years old with a trunk that exceeds 8 meters in perimeter and 12 meters in height and which is the symbol of the local Walser community. Continuing towards the hamlet of Borca, we visit the Walser Museum, which shows up close daily life inside the typical houses built with the blockbau technique.

The path towards the kingdom of Val Quarazza

After exploring the villages and the history of the valley, we set off towards Val Quarazza to reach Lago delle Fate. The ideal starting point is the hamlet of Isella. From here we take an easy dirt route, which can be covered on foot in around 30-45 minutes depending on the speed with which you decide to tackle it. The path climbs gently alongside fragrant meadows and woods, making the walk extremely pleasant and also suitable for families.

The Fairy Lake with its emerald reflections and legends

The view opens suddenly as you arrive near the wall of the dam created in 1948 for hydroelectric purposes. Before our eyes appears a body of water with emerald shades that reflects the surrounding peaks. The lake is located at approximately 1,330 meters above sea level.

The legend that surrounds this place tells of the Gut Viarghini, gnomes who worked in the gold mines and then delivered the precious stones to the mountain fairies. Although the basin is not suitable for swimming due to the freezing temperatures of its waters and the dangers of the artificial bottom, its banks offer ample space for a panoramic picnic and moments of complete relaxation during the spring and summer.

When to visit Macugnaga: every season offers an emotion in winter

Exploring Macugnaga and the wild nature of Lake delle Fate leaves a feeling of deep connection with the mountain. It is an experience that goes beyond a simple trip: a regenerating journey through breathtaking landscapes, centuries-old traditions and timeless stories. If you ask us what is the best time to visit these places, our answer is that each season can offer a completely different magic.

We were there in both winter and summer, enjoying two fairy-tale experiences: during the cold months we walked through the paths of the Dorf, where the snow cover transforms the ancient Walser village and the view of Monte Rosa into a real Christmas postcard landscape; in the summer months, however, we walked along the paths in the cool of the woods until we reached Fairy Lake, taking advantage of the hot days for a nice relaxing picnic on its banks. From May to October nature explodes with colors and is perfect for trekking and walking, while from December to March the valley becomes the kingdom of snow lovers, with snowshoeing, skiing and enchanting atmospheres.