Lac de Melo (Lagu di Melu)

Corte

In the upper Restonica valley, above Corte, the Lac de Melo (Lagu di Melu) is a lake of glacial origin situated at 1,710 m above sea level. According to Wikipedia, it covers about 6.5 ha and reaches 20 m in depth. The Corsica tourist office specifies that it is frozen six months out of twelve and that it gives birth to the river Restonica, itself a tributary of the Tavignano. It is next to the Lac de Capitello, situated higher up at 1,930 m. The same source places the start of the walk at the sheepfolds of Grotelle, about an hour from the lake; but since the bad weather of November 2023, the road has been impassable beyond the Tragone bridge, and the current start is the La Frassetta car park, at 900 m above sea level (6 to 7 hours round trip to Melo). A shuttle links Corte to La Frassetta from 2 May to 30 September. We found no documented legend or ancient use for this lake in the sources consulted: the entry rests only on geographical data and access. The altitude and area values come from Wikipedia EN, which the tourist office does not confirm.

Getting there: Upper Restonica valley, starting from the sheepfolds of Grotelle; the Corsica tourist office indicates about an hour's walk. Since November 2023, the road to the sheepfolds has been impassable beyond the Tragone bridge and the start is at La Frassetta (900 m): 6 to 7 h round trip to Melo according to the same source. Mountain hike, check the weather. Coordinates: Wikipedia EN and Nominatim agree; the tourist office gives a slightly different point (about 1.5 km).

Opening times and access details are given as a guide only: check before you set out.

Ambient sound