Up early to the usual cake overload, we made good time and had driven up to about 1500m high (the mid station of the Pra Radont lift) by 09:30.
Following the ski slope, we embarked on a very upward hike, glad of the cover of trees when we got it. The tree cover did have us nervously looking for bears though, and I was more than a little startled when a huge Alsation trotted along the path towards me! He appeared to be friendly however, along with his huge white friend, and we came across the owners a little higher up the mountain (ironically the owners were surprisingly small in size, especially compared to their dogs...).
Onwards and upwards we went, going back out onto the slopes and eventually onto a ridge, before topping out at the peak of the lift, some 2100m high!
The views were of course incredible, with green valleys spatter with pretty chalets as well as snow-capped peaks and rocky mountain faces.
Our downward trek was just as beautiful, and we were sorry to reach the car and drive on. However, the drive itself turned out to be very engaging, winding through more mountains and luscious river valleys.
Reaching the top of the Tonale pass, we just couldn't resist another exploratory ramble before leaving the mountains all together. This time I'll admit we cheated a little, taking the Paradise lift up to 2550m, then walking to see the glacial lakes and even get into contact with some snow (in shorts and a vest, obviously).
At 2700m we turned and made our way down, then drove downhill for what seemed like the entirety of the rest of our journey to Lake Iseo, our home for the night.
Here, our hotel provides us with views over the quiet, flat lake, a vista which included the mountains we had passed earlier as well as some quaint harbours and villages.
Following the ski slope, we embarked on a very upward hike, glad of the cover of trees when we got it. The tree cover did have us nervously looking for bears though, and I was more than a little startled when a huge Alsation trotted along the path towards me! He appeared to be friendly however, along with his huge white friend, and we came across the owners a little higher up the mountain (ironically the owners were surprisingly small in size, especially compared to their dogs...).
Onwards and upwards we went, going back out onto the slopes and eventually onto a ridge, before topping out at the peak of the lift, some 2100m high!
The views were of course incredible, with green valleys spatter with pretty chalets as well as snow-capped peaks and rocky mountain faces.
Our downward trek was just as beautiful, and we were sorry to reach the car and drive on. However, the drive itself turned out to be very engaging, winding through more mountains and luscious river valleys.
Reaching the top of the Tonale pass, we just couldn't resist another exploratory ramble before leaving the mountains all together. This time I'll admit we cheated a little, taking the Paradise lift up to 2550m, then walking to see the glacial lakes and even get into contact with some snow (in shorts and a vest, obviously).
At 2700m we turned and made our way down, then drove downhill for what seemed like the entirety of the rest of our journey to Lake Iseo, our home for the night.
Here, our hotel provides us with views over the quiet, flat lake, a vista which included the mountains we had passed earlier as well as some quaint harbours and villages.
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