Just downhill from Staffa’s main square, take Via Ludovico Jachettti, cross over a river and immediately turn left following the signs for “Lago delle Fate” (Lake of the Fairies). The dirt track descends to cross the Anza River and continues along its right bank. Ignore the dirt track’s turnoff which leads to the lake and continue heading straight until the car park of Isella, near the vehicular bridge that leads to the main road. Cross through the village with the bread oven and the church of Santa Maria Addolorata (Saint Mary of Sorrows) and continue to the well-kept meadows downhill from the houses. Once you’ve arrived at the edge of the woods, there is a marked crossroads: continue straight slightly downhill until reaching the bank of the Anza River. Follow the trail markers (B00) and hike slightly uphill until coming to the dirt square in front of the Miniera della Guia, and ancient goldmine that is equipped for visits. At this point a wide, stepped mule track begins, rising quickly with spectacular views of the Quarazza River. The mule track continues until a water-filled basin; turn left, proceed on the dirt track coming from Isella and continue it until Lake Fate (Lago delle Fate).
On the return, we recommend retracing your steps until the water basin. From there, continue along the hillside until reaching the hamlet of Motta, a cluster of houses in a panoramic position with a nice communal oven and an oratory dedicated to San Rocco (St. Roch). Once across the meadow, the trail soon becomes a beautiful mule track that descends towards Isella to reach the turnoff which you passed on the way out. Return to Isella retracing the outbound itinerary and then return to Staffa.

Note: From the dam, following the comfortable street shaded by larch and fir trees, you can visit the village of "Crocette", also known as the "Città Morta" (Ghost Town), with the ruins of ancient buildings where gold was once worked and processed (1,460 m / 4,790 ft).