The lower Gemio Lake and the Macigno sandstone
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Interest: Geology
Near the Lagoni Refuge, a first perspective opens onto the lower Gemio Lake, delimited to the south by an elongated rocky threshold that separates it, with a difference in height of about 20 mt., from the upper Gemio Lake. The slopes surrounding the two lakes, known as I Lagoni, are modeled in the powerful stratifications of the Macigno: inclined layers of 35/40°, immersed towards the north-east, which guided the erosive action of the glaciers first and then the runoff waters. Even the narrow and elongated shape of the depression that welcomes the waters of the two lakes follows the direction dictated by the layers. Looking at the ridges, you could imagine the area during the last glacial phase, which ended about 10,000 years ago: an extensive mass of ice covered the areas above I Lagoni and the strip began at the two lake basins of ice that descended towards the Parma valley, reaching the area of the Corniglio Forest.
Going up the CAI 711 path, which runs along the left side of the valley and in the first part follows a well-paved mule track (an almost century-old work), you find yourself inside a columnar beech wood, which presents some old specimens.
