From Frasseta to the Melu and Capitellu lakes via Grotelle

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful but challenging hike in a spectacular setting. Although I only made it to Lake Melo due to the shuttle bus schedule and miscalculating the return journey time.
There was no red mark at the start, but an A4 sheet with the words "Lac de Melo" (or "Lavu di Melu", I can't remember which) written on it.
Before reaching the chains and ladders, which are no problem, you have to get there first. So many rocks!
To get back down, I chose the route on the other side. Not necessarily a very good idea. An endless descent through a narrow corridor of scree. The two routes meet just above the Melo sheepfold (closed). I only saw two people coming down this route and none going up.
The last two hours, still in this superb landscape, seemed a little long, especially at my age (74).
For a Sunday, it's fair to say that there weren't many people heading towards the lakes once we passed the Grotelle sheepfold. And even before that, it was far from crowded. Apart from a herd of goats...

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Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I took the shuttle bus to Frassetta. (€4 return, to be booked in advance online)
The hike is magnificent. I did it alone without any stress. I came across a few people, which was reassuring, but at the same time I was able to walk alone on large sections and the path is well marked. Some people stopped at Lake Melo because they lacked the courage to continue, but that's a shame. Lake Capitellu is incredible (an extra 45 minutes of effort) and the view of Lake Melo from above is magnificent!
An incredible day.
The walk back to the shuttle bus is a bit long, and by the end you're fed up 😅. The shuttle bus will take you up if there is space left in the previous time slots if you arrive early. So allow plenty of time for the return journey. A total of 18 km in 7 hours, taking it easy with breaks, buying sandwiches, etc. No walking poles (I'm in good shape, but I'm no pro).
There is a section with chains and two ladders. It's easy to do (even though I don't like ladders 😅).
I had 3 litres of water, but I drank less than that.
The air was cool at the top, which made the hike more manageable than one where you're dying of heat in the blazing sun.
Definitely worth doing. Good luck 💪

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Date of your route : Jul 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, the only downside being that you have to rely on bus timetables to get to Frasseta. Very few people since the road was destroyed. In any case, it's best to set off early and take a short break at the Grotelle refuge. It's very impressive to see the GR20 trail below, which we had hiked a few days earlier.

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Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The markings are yellow.

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Date of your route : Jun 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE WITH YOU IS THAT YOUR APP USES A LOT OF POWER AND MY PHONE OFTEN RUNS OUT OF BATTERY QUICKLY, SO I CAN'T FINISH MY HIKE WITH YOUR APP. I'm going to have to buy an external battery so I have enough battery power for my hikes. My mobile is a two-year-old Samsung S24, and I had the same problem with my previous phone, an iPhone. THAT'S MY ONLY PROBLEM THAT BOTHERS ME. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH KOMOOT. BEST REGARDS

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Date of your route : Aug 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We completed the hike in just under 8.5 hours (not counting breaks). The hike becomes technical from the point where you start climbing up to the lakes (second part): there are some fairly steep ladders and chains, and you sometimes need to use your hands to climb certain sections. But the view from the top is superb 🤩
Ideally, leave early in the morning (7 a.m. shuttle) to eat at the summit and be able to descend at a leisurely pace.

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Date of your route : Jul 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, well worth the effort!
Be warned, it's really long with some fairly technical sections (over 21 km on my watch).
With two children aged 9 and 13, it took us a little over 8 hours to complete.
On the second part (after the sheepfold), there is relatively little shade and the sun is strong! Early in the morning, it's perfect.

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Date of your route : Jun 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Following the collapse of the road, a shuttle service (€4 return) has been set up, terminating at Frasseta.

We are inexperienced hikers and it took us a total of 3 hours and 24 minutes to get from Frasseta to the first lake (Melo) ; 9.69 km; 839 m elevation gain.

The hike was very enjoyable despite some more difficult climbs, particularly at the end with the chains and ladder.

I recommend this hike. Stay motivated by telling yourself, "You're almost there."

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