LAKES AND MOUNTAINS

The drive through – or over – the Julian Alps was memorable.  Between Bovec and Kranjska Gora we crossed the Vršič Pass, with 50 hairpin bends, built by Russian Prisoners during WW1. 

Part way along it is a delightful little Russian Orthodox Chapel and cemetery where many who died building the road are buried. 

Crossing into Italy we stopped at the two Fusine Lakes and walked around lower one.  The water was mirror-calm!

From there we drove round the edge of the Dolomites between massive vertical faces and towering pinnacles of rock…

..before crossing two more passes - Gardena (2136m) and Sella (2244m).

By the time we reached Lake Garda the weather had become very hot and humid.  We camped just north of the lake which is shaped a little like a leg of lamb and, before leaving the site, cycled 28+km to visit Riva del Garda on the northern tip of the lake…

…before travelling on to Lake Como.  We were unimpressed by either Garda or Como both of which are over commercialised, much preferring smaller lakes like Iseo, and Endine where our campsite overlooked the lake.

Of the three large lakes we definitely preferred Lake Maggiore which seems to have escaped much of the twentieth century development.

Our journey to Aosta took us through seemingly endless residential and commercial areas which was not much fun in the heat.  However, the Aosta Valley with its string of medieval forts was fascinating and from Aosta we drove up a lovely valley with several waterfalls to the mountain resort of Cogne where the air was fresh and clean.  The sun was still very warm but the air, especially at night, was cooler.

At Cogne we spent a day walking about 8 km up the Valmonte valley until we were in the mountains about 300 metres (about 1000 feet) above the town. 

We were able to walk up one side of the river and back down the other, with superb views, lovely waterfalls…

…and lots of wild flowers for Jane to photograph like this Alpine Bird’s Eye Primrose.

Leaving Cogne we crossed the St Bernard Pass into France.  Though not as high as Sella there was still much more snow at the top.

The pass involved 29 hairpin bends going up and 21 going down to Bourg St Maurice and our site for two nights at nearby Landry.