The Mountain Hut Lake

A classic of the Valle Spluga: a hike up the wild Val Rabbiosa to one of the most beloved alpine basins in the area — the Alpe Angeloga, with its small lake, scattered stone huts and the welcoming Rifugio Chiavenna, all set at the foot of the imposing pyramid of Pizzo Stella (3,163 m). We start from Le Soste (1,440 m), just above the village of Fraciscio, and follow the historic trail C3 up the Val Rabbiosa. The path runs through larch woods alongside the Rabbiosa torrent, then climbs more steeply through open switchbacks before reaching a stretch of stone steps cut beside the small waterfalls of the river. A final easy section leads us out into the natural amphitheatre of Alpe Angeloga (2,044 m): a wide, flat basin of pastures and stone huts, with the lake reflecting the surrounding peaks. Lunch stop at the lake. You can choose between a packed lunch by the shore or a meal at the Rifugio Chiavenna, run by Claudio and Beatrice, known for its warm welcome and traditional dishes, including the gnocchetti di Chiavenna, a local speciality. Time for a stroll around the lake before we descend the same trail back to Le Soste.