Lake Rataira
{{Short description|Alpine lake in Piedmont, Italy}}
{{Infobox lake
| name = Lake Rataira
| image = Lago Rataira.png
| caption =
| location = Roccaforte Mondovì, Province of Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
| coords = {{coord|44.17709|7.70857|type:waterbody_region:IT-PMN|display=inline,title}}
| type =
| inflow =
| outflow =
| basin_countries = Italy
| area =
| length =
| width =
| depth =
| max-depth =
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| elevation = {{convert|2204|m|abbr=on}}
| islands = None
| alt = A shallow looking body of water.
}}
The Lake Rataira is an alpine lake located at 2,204 m a.s.l.{{Cite book |url=http://www.pcn.minambiente.it/viewer/ |title=Cartografia ufficiale italiana |publisher=Istituto Geografico Militare |language=it |trans-title=Official Italian Cartography |ref=IGM}} in the Ligurian Alps, in the municipality of Roccaforte Mondovì. It is situated in the upper valley of the Ellero, just north of the {{ILL|Colle del Pas|it}}.
Toponym
File:Lago_Rataira_piante_acquatiche.png
The lake, besides being known as Rataira, is also referred to as Lake Ratavuloira,{{Cite book |last=Sainsbury |first=Brendan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E-NOZ68HAGAC&dq=lago+rataira+marguareis&pg=PA83 |title=Camminare in Italia |publisher=EDT |year=2011 |isbn=978-88-6040-742-9 |page=83 |language=it |trans-title=Walking in Italy |chapter=Circuito del Marguareis |trans-chapter=Marguareis Circuit |access-date=2020-02-10}} a toponym derived from the term used in Piedmontese for the bat (flying rat). Rataira could also come from Piedmontese and mean mousetrap, perhaps in the sense that the lake’s muddy waters can act as a trap for rodents.{{Cite book |last=Pockaj |first=Roberto |url=http://www.piemonteparchi.it/cms/images/pubblicazioni/PP_guida2011.pdf |title=Alpi Liguri |publisher=Piemonte Parchi (Regione Piemonte) |year=2011 |series=Guide di Piemonte Parchi |page=40 |language=it |trans-title=Ligurian Alps |chapter=Trenotrekking da Ormea a Limone |access-date=7 February 2020 |number=4}}
History
Not far from the water’s surface, there is a menhir. Its origin is uncertain, possibly Celtic.{{Cite web |title=Porta di Pian Marchisio - Lago Rataira - Colle del Pas - Cima Pian Ballaur |url=https://www.alpicuneesi.it/itinerari/valleellero/0603.htm |access-date=7 February 2020 |publisher=Alpi Cuneesi - escursionismo in provincia di Cuneo |language=it}}
Hiking
The lake can be reached via the trail that from Pian Marchisio, in the municipality of Roccaforte Mondovì, ascends to the Colle del Pas, a pass that is in turn connected to Carnino (municipality of Briga Alta, {{ILL|Val Tanaro|it}}).{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KjttelynsZEC&dq=%22colle+del+pas%22&pg=PA271 |title=Piemonte (non compresa Torino) |publisher=Touring club italiano |year=1976 |page=271 |language=it |trans-title=Piedmont (excluding Turin) |chapter=9 - Da Ceva a Imperia |isbn=978-88-365-0001-7 |trans-chapter=From Ceva to Imperia |access-date=5 February 2020}} Another route starts from the {{ILL|Rifugio Garelli|it}} refuge and, after passing the {{ILL|Porta Sestrera|it}} (through which the GTA also passes), quickly reaches the lake. From the lake, it is also possible to head into the valley west of the Rifugio Garelli by crossing the Porta del Merguareis,{{Cite book |last1=Ceragioli |first1=Filippo |title=Escursioni imperdibili nei parchi del Piemonte e dintorni |last2=Molino |first2=Aldo |publisher=Edizioni del Capricorno |year=2018 |isbn=978-88-7707-390-7 |pages=132–136 |language=it |trans-title=Unmissable Excursions in the Parks of Piedmont and Surroundings |chapter=Parco naturale regionale del Marguareis - Il rifugio Garelli e la cima di Pian Ballaur |trans-chapter=Marguareis Regional National Park - Rifugio Garelli and Pian Ballaur hill}} a pass at 2,298 m a.s.l.{{Cite book |title=Carta dei sentieri e stradale |publisher=Fraternali editore |location=Ciriè |language=it |trans-title=Map of Trails and Roads |chapter=Val Vermenagna, Valle Pesio, Alta Valle Ellero |ref=Fraternali |number=16}}
Notes
Bibliography
- {{Cite book |url=http://www.pcn.minambiente.it/viewer/ |title=Cartografia ufficiale italiana |publisher=Istituto Geografico Militare |language=it |trans-title=Official Italian Cartography |ref=IGM}}
- {{Cite book |title=Carta dei sentieri e stradale |publisher=Fraternali editore |location=Ciriè |language=it |trans-title=Map of Trails and Roads |chapter=Val Vermenagna, Valle Pesio, Alta Valle Ellero |ref=Fraternali |number=16}}
- {{Cite book |title=Carta |publisher=Istituto Geografico Centrale |location=Turin |language=it |trans-title=Map |chapter=Alpi Marittime e Liguri |trans-chapter=Maritime and Ligurian Alps |ref=igc |number=8}}
{{Portal|Mountains|Piedmont
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