Mysterious Lady Of Stroppia Waterfalls, Piedmont, Italy
Has it ever happened to you that you see a creature that no one else can see? This is what happened to me when I was walking with friends near the cascades of Stroppia not far from Chiappera, Piedmont
The Maira Valley is situated northwest of Cuneo, in Piedmont, near the French border. I had never heard of this place before our visit. My friend's husband enjoys keeping destinations a secret until the last moment. And we did not know where we were going.
As we approached, we could see the waterfalls. Despite the hour, there were already groups of people leaving from the parking lots. I must admit that the location was stunning, with its distinctive mountain shapes and numerous, towering waterfalls. It's worth noting that there are countless trails for extensive hikes. I later read that there is also a 14-stage trek to discover the entire Maira Valley. But that day we had only time to see the cascades.
The entire valley is practically uncontaminated because it lacks industries and pollution, making it a true paradise for nature lovers. There are no other villages beyond Chiappera.
Generally, in all similar valleys — of which there are many in Italy — the food tastes amazing. Locals either use their produce or purchase from neighbors, resulting in authentic, natural, and delicious flavors.
Nevertheless, hotels and restaurants are typically small, family-run establishments, so it's advisable to make reservations in advance. This is because it's not sustainable for them to remain open without bookings. Additionally, the owners might reside in a different place closer to urban areas.
On the other hand, the issue with these locations is that you need to use a car to reach your destination.
Having parked the car, we headed directly towards the waterfalls. Even a short walk like that left a lasting impression on us. It made me wish we could go for a proper hike.
I enjoyed getting close to the water and ventured a bit higher up while my friends stayed below. As I was descending, I suddenly felt a gaze upon me. You know that feeling when you sense someone looking at you? That's exactly what it was like. I turned around and saw a woman dressed in 19th-century clothing in the waterfall, gazing at me. Nothing more happened; she just stood there looking at me. But her gaze felt so real.
My friend reached the waterfall after me, too. I asked if she had felt the same thing. No, she hadn't. Maybe I was just tired or had a drop in blood pressure. It happens to me occasionally. Or perhaps there was an animal on the other side of the waterfall peering at me from behind the bushes. Anything is possible. Can you spot the lady in the photos?
We still had a long journey ahead, as we still had to get home. So our walk ended there. On my way back to the car, I noticed something strange on the mountain on the other side of the stream. Shortly before, I participated in Forte of Bard in several events that recounted the First World War. So it seemed to me that there was a defensive structure there. I was amazed to see it. I didn't think that the war had reached this valley.
I must tell you that the most beautiful time of year to visit the Piedmont Alps is from the end of May to the middle of June. The colors of the vegetation are vibrant, everything is in bloom, and it is warm enough to wear light clothes. Nature is always beautiful, but during that period, it was simply splendid.
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