The Black Lake Bivouac

The Black Lake Bivouac stands 1730 above sea level in the natural hollow below the ‘Alpe Tre Potenze’, at the very top of the ‘Valle del Sestaione’. It is on the edge of the Black Lake and a few minutes away on foot from ‘Lago Piatto’.

It has 16 dormitory beds with a fully-equippped kitchen for those staying the night. In summer, it has running water, which it doesn’t have in winter. The bivouac is open on Saturday afternoons and on Sundays from July to September. For other periods of the year or for any practical information on the access paths to the bivouac, please get in touch with your contact person. When the bivouac is closed, a 4-bedded shelter is available and always open but it doesn’t have a fireplace or any heating.

How to get there

Itinerary A – From the place called ‘Le Regine’(1250 metres), you can take the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) path n°102 which, at first, climbs through a beech and fir forest up to a height of 1362 metres. From here, the clearly-indicated path continues up an easy climb until it reaches the 104 path near an aqueduct from where it continues to climb until you get to the lodge, 1730 metres above sea level.

Itinerary B – From the top of the piazza in ‘Valle del Sestaione’ (1330 mt), and following the CAI path n°104 in the direction of ‘Casetta dei Pastori – Lago Nero’, you will reach the ‘Casetta dei Pastori’ itself from where you can continue along the 104 path, leaving the ‘Casetta’ behind to the left, and climbing up a steep mule track which passes through a delightful beech forest. When you get to the CAI n°102 path coming from ‘Le Regine’, you can join Itinerary A.

For information and advice, please contact CAI di Pistoia.

Update

The bivouac is closed to the public due to the health emergency. The staff offers wine, coffee, water, bread and cheese, and pie (subject to availability) by a free offer from the window. It is allowed to stay outside in a tent and use the barbecue. Info Bivacco Lago Nero