Bidet della Contessa in Val di Mello: breathtaking scenery two hours from Milan

The Countess' Bidet, a small emerald lake

There's a reason this little mountain lake is so famous: as you walk along the main valley path, lined with trees on both sides, at one point the view suddenly opens up to picture-postcard scenery.

A small alpine lake with emerald-colored water: the color, however, is not given by algae or plants in the water but by the forest that reflects on the surface, creating reflections that on clearer days when the water is calmer become a perfect mirror image of the shore and the sky.

The water is actually totally transparent, and as you approach the shore, you can admire every little detail of the seabed.

What makes the lake special is the presence of an erratic boulder of considerable size that dominates the center of the water. These boulders, carried by the force of ancient glaciers, give the landscape a distinctive and unique appearance. The refraction of the surrounding landscape on the surface of the water creates incredible optical effects that transform the lake into a kind of natural painting.

It is therefore worth taking the time to climb the boulder to take a picture of the landscape directly from the lake.

There is also a small island in the center of the lake with now felled trees emerging from the water that creates a mystical atmosphere, especially in the autumn period when the trees turn red and a fine mist fills the morning air. This scenery contributes to the lake's aura of mystery and suggestion.

It is at this point that the true depth of the lake can be seen, thanks to the crystal clear water that takes on darker shades of turquoise at the points where the bottom drops the most.

Refuges and refreshment places

After visiting the Contessa's Bidet, you can continue on the main road and continue on a well-marked loop trail that in about three hours will take you to natural wonders such as mountains, streams, waterfalls, green meadows, and a botanical garden full of ancient beech and fir trees.

It is precisely these riches that prompted the region to make this area the largest nature reserve in Lombardy.

Just along this route, you will encounter Cascina Piana, the first group of huts in the area. A small village where you can refuel with water at the drinking fountain and enjoy traditional dishes at Rifugio Mello and Rifugio Luna Nascente, both of which specialize in typical Valtellina dishes.

Continuing along the trail, you will enter further into the valley and the landscape will begin to become wilder with dense forests and high rock faces, and in 20 minutes you will arrive at Rasica village where you can stop for a restorative break at Rifugio Resiga.

If, on the other hand, after your visit to the Bidet della Contessa you prefer to go back, along the return path (which is then the same as the outward path but at the beginning you were too eager to reach the pond to notice this detail) you will pass by the locality Ca' Panscer where there is the trattoria Il Gatto Rosso where you can have lunch before heading back toward the parking lot.

The restaurant's outdoor space is fenced off, making it perfect for sunbathing or letting the children play, since you can keep an eye on them even while sitting at the table, and in the meantime enjoy a good coffee or bitter at the end of your meal and breathe in the good mountain air before heading back into town.

Conclusion

The hike to the Contessa Bidet in the picturesque Val di Mello is an experience that blends nature, history, and unique charm. It is more than just a hike: it is a journey into nature and geological history that leaves a mark in the memory and heart of anyone lucky enough to have discovered this enchanted place