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Home , Belbo, Borgo San Dalmazzo, Briga Alta, Castellino Tanaro, Castelmagno, Ceva railway station

HIKING TOURS FOR EVERYBODY MOUNTAIN * Land of passion. . PIEMONTE REGIONE CONTENTS

4 Welcome to the of the 6 Map

8 Comunità Montana Valli , Bronda e Infernotto 44 Comunità Montana Valli Gesso e 9 Monte Bracco: Leonardo da Vinci’s Mountain 46 Via dei Teit (The Roofs Road) 10 Le vie d’Oustano (The Oustano Roads) 47 Via Romana (The Roman Road) 11 The Mèire - The Pastures 48 Tour of the Nineteenth Century Forts 12 La Via del Sale lungo la (The“Salt Road”along the ) 52 Comunità Montana Bisalta 14 Comunità Montana Valle 53 From the lake to the Carthusian Monastery of 16 The Old Mine Tour 54 Tour of Fontana Cappa 17 The Alevè, the Bagnour Lake and Refuge 55 “Via dei Morti” (The Dead Road) 18 The Losetta Circuit 19 The Blue Lake - Rocca Senghi 56 Parco Naturale Alta Valle Pesio e (The Upper Pesio and Tanaro Valleys Natural Park) 20 Comunità Montana Valle 58 In the Lower Valley Woodland 22 The Occitan Pathways 59 Il Vallone del Marguareis 23 The Ciciu del Villar Natural Reserve 60 Cima Marguareis (The Peak) 24 Elva: a Spas per Lou Viol 26 The Cyclamen Didactic Pathway 62 Comunità Montana Valli Monregalesi 64 At the Sources of the 27 Comunità Montana 65 The Lakes of Brignola and Raschera 29 From the Colletto di Village to Colle della Margherita 66 Tour of the Community Ovens 30 From the Sanctuary “Santuario di San Magno” to Bassa di Narbona 31 From the Chiappi di Castelmagno hamlet to the Passo Viridio 68 Comunità Montana Valli Mongia, Cevetta e Langa Cebana 70 Prato Rotondo Pass 32 Comunità Montana Valle di 72 The Sources 34 Cappella dell’Assunta di 73 Nature Trail 35 Ascending Monte Tenibres 36 Around the Sant’Anna Lakes 74 Comunità Montana Alta Val Tanaro 37 Lago Superiore di 76 The Balcony 77 The Saracen Tower of Barchi 38 Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime (The Natural Park) 78 The Grotta delle Vene Path 40 The Pathway of the Rye Ecomuseum 41 Through History and Nature 42 Through Lakes and Waterfalls 4 5 Welcome to the alps the Provin of ce of Cuneo A land with an extraordinary variety of landscape, cul- ture, art, gastronomy and folklore welcomes visitors Journey Notebook with great pride. This is the “Granda” province – the The journey biggest in Piemonte – crossed by twenty or so val- The Province of Cuneo can be reached by car leys that spread towards the borders of and on the -Savona A6 motorway (exit . , , Mondovì and ). It can The geological history of the Alps, the radial position of also be reached by train with the Turin- the valleys, the climate influenced by the are Cuneo- and Turin-Cuneo-Ceva- just some factors that have contributed to the birth Savona lines. Buses also leave from Cuneo, of a never ending variety of environments, from Mondovì and for the major mountain “dolomitic” of the Marguareis Massif to the crystal- regions. line rocks of and Monviso. From Cuneo, the eye embraces the extraordinary Where to sleep and eat amphitheatre of the Ligurian, Maritime and Southern All the valleys are equipped with a vast range of and stops at Monviso which, with its 3841 accommodation made of Hotels, B&B, rooms to m altitude, represents a great summer and winter tourist rent, inns, stopping off places, managed refuges attraction. and camps. There are numerous restaurants and Who comes to discover this extreme south-western trattorias where the typical local cuisine can be strip of the Alps will take home the memory of walking tasted. along paths of matchless beauty. A protected, shelte- red, silent and quiet corner, rich with stretches of flowers Information

and wild animals, woods and forests, fields and pastures Information can be requested at the crowned by mountains from the Tanaro to the Po valley. Local Tourist Company A.T.L. del CUNEESE We suggest over the next pages some high and low val- Via Vittorio Amedeo II, 8 A - 12100 CUNEO ley routes (also suitable for all the family) that represent tel. +39.0171.690217 - fax +39.0171.602773 only a little bit of what there is to offer in our mountains. [email protected] We are waiting for you…bring your rucksacks! www.cuneoholiday.com www.autunnocongusto.com The proposed routes have been suggested by the Comunità Montane (Mountain Communities) and Park Authorities. 6 7

The province of Cuneo This guide deals with the mountain and plain territory of the province, which is marked by the green border. 8 9 Comunità Montana Description: Monte Bracco: Leonardo da Vinci wrote about Monte Leonardo Da Vinci’s VALLI PO, BRONDA Bracco in a letter in 1511, maybe follo- Mountain wing a trip there, searching for appro- E INFERNOTTO priate material for his sculptures.Today - after five hundred years - the same The territory of the Comunità Montana* Valli Po, Bronda e suggestions, and others make Monte Place of departure / arrival: it is Infernotto is dominated by the unmistakable pyramid of the Monviso. Bracco (1306 m) a unique mountain: a a ring of about 18 km practicable This is the Queen mountain of the Cottian Alps which, with its height balcony facing Monviso and the Po on foot, but also by mountain-bike of 3841 m, makes it a great summer and winter tourist attraction and and also a great geological, botanical, or on horseback (in some places). It a classic destination that every mountaineer must reach sooner or faunal and historical laboratory. can be started in different places later…especially because the Italian Alpine Club was founded here in A great “book” where marks left by (from the areas of the towns of 1863, following Quintino Sella’s will. The Po, the longest Italian , man can be read: from the fascinating , , , originates from Monviso, so giving its name to the valley. rocky incisions (most important sites , and Barge) for the

C The Po Valley has numerous paths that have been used since are indicated), to the gneiss and quar- whole length, or single stretches.

. tzite caves, to the thick, network of M ancient times for exchanging trade with the French territory or for Gradient: about 1500 m uphill rural pathways. The housing settle- Time required: 8 hours . armies passing. Just under the Colle delle Traversette in 1480, the

V Marquis of Saluzzo, Ludovico II had the first alpine tunnel built exac- ments (barme or balme) are attractive, (18 km ring) a tly to facilitate the trafficking of goods, and also for the commodity real villages built under the shelter of Degree of difficulty: medium l l prominent rocks. Access: i between Marquisate and Dauphiné: the tunnel – which is still in use o

P History of art lovers will find surely • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit - is called “Buco del Viso” and is situated along the ancient “Via del c o interesting the Trappa convent (in the Marene; follow along the SP 662 c

Sale” (Salt Road). Legend has it that Hannibal, with his army and a B community area of Envie and Barge), road to -Saluzzo and then r elephants crossed the Alps exactly at Traversette. r the Balma Boves Village Museum along the Po Valley provincial road B o Nowadays the same paths are used by heedful hikers searching e n (Sanfront), the Devesio Sanctuary and as far as the towns included in the t d for uncontaminated green areas, fascinating landscapes, still intact

the restored female Monastery itinerary. n a

alpine villages, testimonies of the mountain people’s work, culture, o (Rifreddo), the circuit of ancient walls • from Cuneo: take the SP 589 Laghi I n art, language and local cuisine. At the sides of the main valley, the M and the historical centre of Revello.The di Avigliana road as far as Saluzzo. f

e less known Bronda and Infernotto offer to the hiker relaxing and rock gym in Sanfront and the ethno- Follow like above. r unusual paths through green woods. n graphic museum “La Brunetta” in o *(consortium of communes in mountain areas) Barge must also be noted. t t The pathway is well indicated and o For further information about other itineraries, nature trails, mountaineering programmes, summer and winter excursions notice boards with historical, botani- please contact: cal, geological and literary notes can Comunità Montana Valli Po, Bronda e Infernotto Tourist Board be found. A complete map is availa- Via S. Croce, 4 - 12034 Paesana (CN) ble at the “Comunità Montana Tel. +39.0175.94273 - fax +39.0175.987082 Tourist Board” in Paesana and at the www.vallipo.cn.it - e-mail: [email protected] Town Halls. San Leonardo - Monte Bracco 10 11 Le vie d’Oustano The Villages The “Mèire” The Pastures (The Oustano Roads) These roads join together the Villa, Ciampagna, Serre, Bernardi, S.Antonio, Serre Inferiore and Pion da Charm (1635 m) Coumbo various hamlets and villages of the San Bernardo, Villa Superiore, The Durandin, The Frino, l’Arp, P. Sellassa (2036 m), commune of . Other than just Departure point/arrival: Mèire da Crouç, Sarlichart, Colle Bernardo (2245 m), watershed Ostana, Borgata Villa enjoying the matchless beauty, the Bernardi, Sërét, the Bernardi com- crest Bagnolo-Ostana, Punta Gradient: 250 m hiker who travels along these roads munal road, S.Antonio. Ostanetta (2375 m), Colle del Time required: not less than 4 h Vallone (2247 m), Pion des can discover a mountain man’s life Departure point/arrival: Degree of difficulty: easy. Fountane, Rocho dë l’Aio, Draio des and the way of putting to good use Ostana, Fraz. S. Antonio Attention must be paid (especially Case, Draio dë Pèiro Groso, Pèiro the area, making a profit, while kee- Gradient: 300 m in winter) crossing where Groso, la Gravëllo, Pion da Charm. Time required: not less than 3 h ping it intact. Wooden notice there are anyway fixed ropes. Departure point/arrival: Access: Degree of difficulty: easy boards, with original place names Ostana, Pion da Charm • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit Access: used by the people, have been made Gradient: 740 m Marene; go along the SP 662 road see previous route and positioned along the pathways Time required: 6 h to Savigliano-Saluzzo and then Description: and, in the most characteristic A whole day is needed to go through L along the Po Valley provincial An itinerary to discover the mèire, s

e the entire area. points of the places to be crossed road as far as Ostana. seasonal mountain structures Degree of difficulty: characteristic e r v through. • from Cuneo: take the SP 589 road necessary for pasture. An itinerary i of altitude hiking, over cliff crests u e A map of the pathways is available of the Laghi di Avigliana to t set between breathtaking cliffs and slippery rocks. s d at the “Comunità Montana Tourist Saluzzo. Follow like above. and deep-set gorges. a ’ Description: Access: P 0 Board” in Paesana and at the Town see previous route

u An itinerary discovering rural

Hall of Ostana. e

s Description:

architecture: houses and communi- h

t Beside the following excursions we Here you can cross the draie, t a ty furnaces, fountains and wash- suggest a trip to the Ethnographical n houses, dry-stone walls retaining sheep-tracks used by animals to d o Civic Museum “Ostana – Alta Valle the earth, boundaries of big stone reach the pastures. The itinerary n : Po” set up in the old Palazzo slabs, cobbled roads, chapels and unwinds between pastures,rocks,barme a t ” h Comunale “Town Hall”, where four votive pillars. and spectacular panoramic places. e e rooms show the everyday domestic r i V and working life of mountain peo- é i l ple. M l “ a g Ostana-Serre Hamlet Le vie d’Oustano Monviso e e h s T 12 13 The “Salt Road” along the Po Valley to a pathway that goes up the Coluoir del Porco towards the V. Giacoletti refuge and leads to the grassy pasture slopes that drop Access: • from Turin: A6 motorway exit down from Pian Armoine.With wide hairpin bends the pathway rises in altitude rea- Exciting hike that crosses Marene; follow the SP 662 Buco di Viso ching Colle Armoine then, halfway up goes through towns, villages and dif- road to Savigliano-Saluzzo nd back towards the centre of the main valley and then along the Valley Po 2 stage ferent natural environments reaching the “Sentiero del Postino” provincial road to Paesana. – Pian della Regina – Pian del Re / from the valley floor to a high (Postman’s Path) made during wartime so • from Cuneo: take the SP 589 Uphill gradient 710 m / Travelling time 2h altitude. The ancient Via del Sale that there was a means of communication Laghi di Avigliana road as far 30 min “Salt Road” from Paesana to between the military barracks that were as Saluzzo. Follow like above. From Piazza Duca degli Abruzzi to Crissolo the Colle delle Traversette was Villa flanking the Po and after passing a car spread out over the area. The pathway, used in medieval times for park there is a pathway that leads to La equipped with chains in the most exposed

T exchanging trade between the Spiaggia (1384 m). Keeping on the orogra- parts, reaches Pian Mait up a steep hill, y h

ancient Marquisate of Saluzzo phic right follow a forestal path as far as a which is surrounded by the Rocce Fourioun, e e l and France. sharp left bend where you take another Monte Granero and stone l “ a

S Departure point: path leading to Pian Giasset and the bastions. When you have crossed the plain, Description: V a st a steep path with narrow hairpin bends l Paesana (614 m) Quintino Sella refuge. Turning right you can

1 stage o t

Arrival point: Paesana – Calcinere – - Crissolo / reach Ponte Riondino (1539 m) and just climbs up to the Traversette barracks and P R

after you can admire the larchwood of then from here a narrow path leads to the e o Colle delle Traversette (2950 m) Uphill gradient 730 m / Travelling time 4h h a entrance of Buco del Viso and afterwards, Gradient: 2236 m 30 min Crissolo. Then follow the Po to the Pian t d Melzè plain (1715 m). From here, without with some exposed pathways (pay atten- g ” Suggested time required: 3 days From Piazza Vittorio Veneto the itinerary

following directions to the Quarti Gorge or tion when there is snow) reaches the nar- n a It is possible to stay in Crissolo crosses through Paesana along via Roma o l the Chiaretto Lake, take the ancient mule row Colle delle Traversette (2950 m) pass. l o and Pian del Re. Other accom- and via Po, then crosses the river to get on a n track going over Pian Fiorenza and follow a modation like Bed & Breakfast the orographic right. After the sports field, ” g series of hairpin bends as far as Pian del Re and Refuges are available in the carry on along a lane that comes out on the d t a h provincial road 26 and shortly after reaches (2020 m), where there is an alpine Hotel of

Calcinere hamlet in Paesana, o e Erasca (637 m), where you cross a bridge. the same name. Oncino and Ostana. GTA stop- R P 3rd stage

Near the little church a mule track leads to t o

over place at Pian Melzè. l Pian del Re – Buco di Viso – Colle delle

the dirt road towards Guardiola (774 m), a

V Degree of difficulty: then follows a path towards Succa (847) Traversette / Uphill gradient 930 m / S a EE - three-day hiking with rele- “ l and Sanghione (835 m), afterwards passing Travelling time 3h (outward trip) l e e vant gradient. From Pian del Re (2020 m) following to the the electric power station in Calcinere down h y Indications: VdS signposts (Via towards the Po. tip of the main valley, the mule track reveals T del Sale - Salt Road), horizontal Through fields and woods the pathway the ability and wisdom of the ancient buil- signs with white/red notches. leads to Ponte della Cousignà (774 m) and ders. Coming to the centre of the valley, Recommended time: then reaches the point where the Lenta without taking other directions, take a splen- from July to September stream runs into the Po (827 m); from here did pathway crossing the brook again next The Po River near the Salt Road Public transport: a mini bus ser- an old mule track steeply rises to the vice connects Paesana and Santuario Madonna del Bel Fò (1077 m). Crissolo everyday (stopping at An uphill lane passes Oncino, then the vil- Oncino and Ostana), Paesana lage of Saret (1281 m) along an asphalt and Oncino (Wednesday, Friday, road to San Giacomo (1349 m), a charac- Saturday and Sunday), other teristic place with the ruins of the church destinations can be booked for of the same name. The itinerary drops groups. down into the beech wood towards Crissolo (1320 m).

a t i a r a V e l l a V a n a t n o M à t i n u m o C like Chianale like , (fresh cheese) from tumin . ourist Board es offered by the valley where es offered by the valley T aita ar V Comunità Montana Montana Comunità VARAITA VALLE alle Alps can be enjoyed. V (long gnocchi) or Cottian are silent evidence of the border history. In the summer and winter excursions please contact: , , ravioles astest swiss stone pine woodland in Europe (817 hectares), astest swiss stone pine woodland in Europe (817 +39.0175.977152 - fax +39.0175.977448 he alpine villages built with stone and slate roofs he alpine villages built T This land,This full of tourist attractions, to preserve its has been able The road which crosses the area of the Comunità Montana Valle of the Comunità Montana road which crosses the area The Anyone who loves nature will be bewitched by the Alevé wood, the Anyone who loves nature will be bewitched by and Bellino villages,“sundials” by the meridiane of time is marked the passing sculptured stone on the façades of many buildings together with figures and carved wooden balconies Melle. www.vallevaraita.cn.it - e-mail:www.vallevaraita.cn.it [email protected] Comunità Montana Vittoria,Piazza della 40 12020 (CN) tel. For further information about other itineraries,For nature trails, mountaineering programmes 14 Varaita winds for 60 km along the valley and leads to Colle along the valley winds for 60 km Varaita (2748 m).dell’Agnello the it allows access to In the summertime region. Queyras French cultural patrimony.A Bahio di Sampeyre, good example is the a thou- sand year old ancient festival, of which remembers the banishment celebrated and is the alpine valleys the Saracen pillagers from period. in 2 and 7) during the Carnival every 5 years (years ending wood craftsmen,It is also the home of and the Rore ceramics world famous harps. Not to mention its gastronomy specia- lities like the v and by several opportunities of hik “three thousand breathtaking panoramas on Monviso and on the metres high” Comunità Montana Valle Varaita 16 17 The Old Mine Tour The Alevè, the Bagnour Lake and Refuge

Description: Description: Crossing the Pelvo bridge, take the The climb begins next to two notice path that begins on the right of the boards. About half way up, a path Departure point: dirt road. Not long after turn left and Departure point/arrival: begins next to a mountain hut, leading Bellino - Ponte Pelvo follow directions to the “Antica Castello to the Secco Lake. Just after, at the Arrival point: Miniera” (old mine) and the Gradient: 410 m bottom of a plain called Pian Caval, a Bellino - S. Anna Camosciera Lake. After crossing the Time required: uphill only 1h; path, which leads to the Vallanta Gradient: 900 m Reou stream and a plain, the path round trip 2h Gorge, can be seen on the left. After leads up very steeply to the Time required: only uphill 2 h 30 Degree of difficulty: short hike the last stretch you reach the Bagnour min; round trip 5 h 30 min Camosciera Lake: follow on, keeping Links to other routes: Ranco Lake with a new refuge next to it. Degree of difficulty: right. When you arrive under the pass - Colle dei Duc - Vallanta valley The refuge can also be reached by medium length hike stony gully of the Colle di Sagnerese Access: e passing by the Secco Lake and going g

the path leads to the right, under the u

T Links to other routes: • fromTurin: A6 motorway, exit

down the hill which leads to the f h

Bric Rutund and Colle della Bicocca rocks, where a little track leads to the Marene; go along the SP 662 e

e Vallanta Gorge, where the Alevè - Camosciera Lake and Pelvo d’Elva Antica Miniera, just under the Costa road towards Savigliano-Saluzzo R

O wood can be admired.

- Colle di Sagneres - Rocca la Sturana hill. From here you go down and then on the Valle Varaita d l n d Marchisa. keeping to the panoramic crest until provincial road to a village called the path turns left and goes down on a M Access: Castello, after . The • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit the Traversagn plain. Keeping to the path begins just before the e k i n Marene; go along the SP 662 path you pass near a mountain hut Castello built-up area and the a e road towards Savigliano- at the bottom of the plain, then keep dam of the artificial lake, on the L T Saluzzo and then along the going down the path until it joins the right near a ruin of a barracks. r o u u Valle Varaita provincial road to dirt road that leads to Sant’Anna. • from Cuneo: SP 589 Laghi di o r Casteldelfino. Turn left in the From here there is a 700 m asphalt Avigliana road to Costigliole n g

Bellino valley and after the vil- road leading back to Ponte Pelvo. Saluzzo; go along the Valle Varaita a

lage of Chiazale find a stone provincial road to a village called B

bridge on the left named Ponte Castello, after Casteldelfino. e

Pian Traversagn Bagnour Refuge h

Pelvo. Follow like above. t

• from Cuneo: SP 589 Laghi di , Avigliana road to Costigliole è v

Saluzzo; go along the Valle e l

Varaita provincial road to A Casteldelfino. Follow like above. e h T

Bellino

S.Anna

t i u c r i C a t t e s o L e h T Rocca Senghi Blue Lake The LosettaCircuit 18 i;roundtrip7h30 min min; Links tootherroutes: long hike Degree ofdifficulty: Time r Gradient: Arrival point: Grange delRio D • exit motorway, A6 fromTurin: • Access: Bagnour Lake andrefuge. Sellarefuge- Q. Gallarino pass, S. pass, Bertoglio, - Colle di Vallanta -Bivacco Berardo S.Anna Biv eparture point: Saluzzo; Avigliana roadtoCostigliole from Cuneo: there. because thedownhilltrekends to leaveasecondcarinCastello, It’s agoodidea Grange delRio. few mountainhutsnamed as alefthairpinbendnextto customs pointandgoupasfar Pass theold Casteldelfino. after provincial roadtoChianale, and thenalongthe road towards Savigliano-Saluzzo goalongtheSP662 Marene; Chianale Varaita provincialroadto Follow like above. acco delleForciolline -Bivacco G. delRio equired: Bellino Chianale 1000 m , go alongthe after Casteldelfino Castello SP 589Laghidi uphill only3h30 V The Losetta Circuit The Losetta alle Varaita V alle Castello . Castello. and thendownapaththatleadsto next toabarracksjustunderthehill, passing towards the Vallanta refuge, go Ontheway down, Monviso. you canenjoyafabulousviewof where ching thetopofLosetta, rea- the leftfora150mgradient, climbtowards reach theLosettaPass, Onceyou path climbsupverysteeply. the where therearemountainhuts, Afteralongplain Soustra valley. Take thepathway thatgoesupthe Description: The LosettaPass Nero Lak - Lak of 2523mwhereyouwillfindtheBlue gouptoaheight the wellindicatedroad, just beforeanotherbridge goes throughthepinewoodandturnleft take theroadthat Leaving thebridge, Description: road downisthesameasup. the NeroLak be interestingtomake alittledetourto round trip4h Time required: Gradient: Chianale Departure point/arrival: rmCno SP589Laghidi fromCuneo: • exit motorway, A6 fromTurin: • Access: Links tootherroutes: medium lengthhike Degree ofdifficulty: Colle Biancetta-delLupo e Chianale village provincial roadpassingthe goalongthe Valle Varaita Saluzzo; Avigliana roadtoCostigliole the carnearit. Itisadvisabletoleave torrent. point, justbeforetheoldcustoms left, Onthe vincial roadtoChianale. then alongthe Valle Varaita pro- road towards Saviglianoand followalongtheSP662 Marene; . When youarriveatthelak The BlueLake ,Tour Real e, there isabridgeover 700 m e or theBesLak . uphill only2h; F ollow lik Keeping to . Col Longet ,itcould e, Blue Lake e e above . T he . Fiutrusa - i;roundtrip4h min; “ferrata” prepared hikers cangoupthevia Equippedand same astheroadup. The roaddownisthe was onthehill. der magazineofthebarracksthat This was oncethepow- with atorch. is equippedwithropesandsteps, ta” low thedirectionsofvia itisadvisabletofol- the way down, leads tothetopofRoccaSenghi. sundial andtak in frontofamountainhutwith Crouset (2020m)turnrightpassing AtGrange right towards Mongioia. Leavetheroadtoturn Mongioia. road towards PianCheol and F Description: • Time required: Gradient: Bellino -S.Anna Departure point/arrival: • Access: Links tootherroutes: medium lengthhike Degree ofdifficulty: rom S aln iRi ogoa Colle Mongioia, Vallone diRui, Follow like above. vincial roadtoCasteldelfino go alongthe Valle Varaita pro- Avigliana toCostiglioleSaluzzo; from Cuneo: your carhere. You canleave Anna. chapel ofS. asphalt roadendsinfrontofthe left intheBellinov Turn vincial roadtoCasteldelfino. then alongthe Valle Varaita pro- towards Savigliano-Saluzzoand goalongtheSP662 Marene; A6motorway exit from Turin: and togodownthetunnelwhich . Rocca Senghi Anna w and downthepath. 650 m e alk alongthedirt uphill only1h45 SP 589Laghidi the pathwhich Pion Cheol alley “ferra . 19 On The - . The Blue Lake - Rocca Senghi

a r i a M e l l a V a n a t n o M à t i n u m o C -al [email protected] e-mail: +39.0171.917080-fax+39.0171.909784 tel. 12025 (CN) Piazza XXSettembre Dronero TouristBoard www +39.0171.900061 -fax+39.0171.900161 tel. 12029 SanDamianoMacra(CN) 9 Via Torretta, Comunità Montana programmes mountaineering nature trails, For furtherinformationaboutotheritineraries, ter HansClemer. Elv with the opportunities andgoodaccommodation. numeroussporting muletracksandarmyroads, network ofpathways, reserved andthatoffersuncontaminatedalpinetourismwithathick silentand It isacommunitythathaslivedisolatedformanydecades, gastronomy withpooringredientsbutrichinimaginationandtaste. innsthatproposea craftsmenshops, Merens horsesstudfarms, lect, Chersogno andtheBrecdeChambeyron. thousand metreshighmountains” withsome “three green pasturesandtothetopofCottian Alps, toample larchandfirwoods, row passages–asfarthechestnut, from thenarrowvalley floor–characteristicforitsgorgesandnar- Ittakes thevisitor opportunity totake partinasplendidnaturetrip. v visiting thenumerousmedieval artjewelsthatarefoundalloverthe market inSaluzzo. to were willingtosacrificetheirhair(purposelygrownlongandplaited) (hair traders)whowentaroundthevalley lookingforwomenwho 20 alley It couldalsobetheoccasiontotoldoldstoriesconnected Who crossesthisvalley candiscovertheoccitantraditionsanddia- The territoryoftheComunitàMontana Valle Mairaoffersthe fyuwn ohv etbtenoehk n nte,wesuggest If youwant tohavearestbetween onehike andanother, a help maintainthefamily parish church, , .vallemair lik e acciugai the spectacularRomanchurchofS , summer andwinterexcursionspleasecontact: VALLE MAIRA Comunità Montana a.cn.it -e-mail: (anchovy traders)andthecurioustravelling with sixteenthcenturyfrescoesbytheFlemishpain Valle Maira , and soldittowigmak info@vallemair ietePlodEv,the like thePelvo d’Elva, Peyre inStroppoandthe . a.cn.it ers inaspecial cavié -

Comunità Montana Valle Maira 22 23 The Occitan Pathways The “Ciciu” del Villar Natural Reserve

Description: It is a ring shaped route marked with yellow notches and wooden road Departure point/arrival: signs, so that you can visit all of the Departure point/arrival: the ring shaped route can be started on foot, by mountain - Natural from different places in the valley bike or on horseback in 15 stages, Reserve Visiting Centre and crossed in both directions. staying in typical local inns and stop- Gradient: 446 m Gradient: each stage varies ping off places. Time required: uphill only 1 h; Time required: 15 stages from 2 h Leaving Villar San Costanzo the path round trip about 2 h 30 min to 9 h forks off in and then reaches Degree of difficulty: medium Degree of difficulty: challenging the towns and alpine villages positio- Links to other routes: the Links to other routes: numerous ned on both orographic sides leading

Occitan Pathways, the ring sha- e Ciciu del Villar

secondary paths and connections to the “three thousand metres high v ped route that joins Villar S. with the neighbouring Varaita and mountains” of the valley. r Costanzo with the higher valley, Description: e Grana valleys. These routes have seen traders and s starts from the entrance to the The route runs into the heart of the e Access: travellers, preachers and soldiers, R

T Reserve. Natural Reserve of the Ciciu d’pera

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit troubadours and pilgrims pass along l h (stone figures), a natural geologi- Access: a e Marene; follow along the SP 662 them over the decades. Today the • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit cal phenomenon. In time erosion r u O road towards Savigliano and fol- hiker can look back in time discovering Marene; go along the SP 662 has created curious mushroom t c low directions to Costigliole alpine villages, small churches, moun- a c road towards Savigliano and fol- shaped figures, with clay columns N i Saluzzo and Busca. From here tain people’s life and breathtaking t low directions to Costigliole surmounted by masses of dark a you can reach different places in landscape in this beautiful, secluded r n Saluzzo and Busca. You can find stone. The ring shaped route joins a

the valley where the routes start. and difficult to reach valley. l l P • from Cuneo: SP 422 road to It is advisable to book the stopping off Villar San Costanzo on the pro- the lower part of the Reserve to i a and Dronero. From here places: for information contact the vincial road to Dronero. the Colle della Liretta (1116 m), a V t l h you can reach different places in Dronero Tourist Board. • from Cuneo: SP 422 road to natural balcony that looks over the e w

the valley where the routes start. Caraglio and Dronero. You can plain of Cuneo. Crossing through d a ” y The Meja find Villar San Costanzo 5 km the wood, you can admire nume- u s

from Dronero on the provincial rous Ciciu and then follow the road i c

road to Busca. to the starting point. There is also i

a gymnastic course equipped with C “ 16 posts and picnic areas with bar- e

becues. h T

Villar S. Costanzo 24 Elva: a Spas per Lou Viol

Description: From the Serre village (1637 m) you can reach the villages called Goria Departure point/arrival: (1661 m) and Isaia (1703 m – 15 Elva - Serre hamlet min). Crossing a big larch wood you Gradient: never over 400 m reach the Arsisa Fountain (1778 m – Time required: 8 h (about 30 km 15 min) where you can fill water- total). The route can be interrupted in flasks. Carrying on you can reach numerous places from where you can the circular S. Giovanni church go back to Elva. You must calculate (1872 m – 15 min). Then you reach an average of 2 h for each route. the provincial road that ascends There are signposts displaying “Elva from (10 min) and going 1”, while “E1” is written on signs on along it towards Elva (5 min), after trees and rocks. the crossroads to Colle di Hans Clemer’s frescoes in Elva

Sampeyre, there is a dirt road on l

E Degree of difficulty: easy if you o l

only do part of the route. Difficult if the right. Here you can interrupt i v - 1 h 05). The route divides an enor- Castello (1577 m). In 15 min you a

the route and go back to Elva V you do it all. mous crag called Barsaie. Further come to the Lischia village (1359 : Serre along the provincial road. Links to other routes: at Chiosso u a on you reach the Grange Viani, m) and in another 25 min to the Superiore, you intersect the T5 path If you carry on along the path, you o S

Laurenti and Garneri villages. From provincial road of the Gorge (1400 L

p that goes up to Fontana Nera. In dif- come across Chiotti (1864 m - 15

here, crossing through the Ortili m). From here you can go back r a ferent places you can intersect the m) and from here the base of the e s wood, you reach the Chiosso to Elva Serre. G.T.A. paths and the Occitan Ripalta rocks (1900 m - 20 min) and p p Superiore village (1670 m - 1 h) and If you go to the right, you can find s e the Martini village (1726 m - 35 Pathways. going along the asphalt road a signpost for the pathway that a r Access: min). From here you can go back p

L descend towards Chiosso Inferiore reaches the Molinas bridge (1h 15 S

o to Elva Serre. • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit (15 min) and to the Alberg bridge (5 min) and from here the starting off a u Marene; follow along the SP 662 Instead, if you go along the munici-

min). From here you can go back place (5 min). : V

pal road, turning right you reach a a road to Savigliano and follow to Elva Serre following the v i

crossroads (10 min) where there is l o directions to asphalt road. E l a dirt road (on the right): it takes and Busca. From here you can If you follow the pathway, follow you to the Grangie village (1830 m reach Dronero and after about 23 the stream and in 20 min you reach km you reach Bassura di Stroppo. the Molini Allioni village (1437 m) From here it is possible to take named in this way for its mills. From the panoramic road (on the right) here, taking the path on the right in that goes to Elva (17 km) or carry front of the church you come to the on along the main road for ano- Brione village (40 min). Then the ther 4 km and go up to Elva going path rises to the panoramic Rocca along the steep gorge of the same name (10 km). • from Cuneo: SP 422 road to Caraglio and Dronero. Follow like above.

Elva Fraz. Serre 26 27 The Cyclamen Didactic Pathway Comunità Montana Description : Along this route which is suitable VALLE GRANA for everyone, there are a mill and Departure point/arrival: Macra the remains of a farrier’s forge, voti- Gradient: 100 m ve pillars and chapels with frescoes: The territory of the Comunità Montana Valle Grana is wedged Time required: 2 h here the Cyclamen purpurascens between the Stura and Maira valleys, and spreads out towards east Degree of difficulty: easy and the rare endemic Euphorbia val- and the Cuneo plain for just 24 km. The beginning of the route is Access: liniana, typical of the Maira valley, distinguished by gentle slopes with ample chestnut, beech and • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit are in bloom. conifer woods; the middle part is boxed in but higher up it opens Marene; go along the SP 662 From the small square in Macra out to extensive pastures and Monte Tibert, Cima Tempesta and road to Savigliano and follow (850 m), go towards the bridge, take Punta Test make up the background. directions to Costigliole Saluzzo the path that is at the side of the In Castelmagno the valley opens out in a fascinating alpine way. and Busca. From here you can brook and reach the villages of T The many hamlets of the village reach the Sanctuary situated at a h reach Dronero and after about Langra and Caricatori. Afterwards

1760 m and dedicated to San Magno, a soldier of the legendary n e 18 km you reach Macra. you take the path that goes to the Thebaic legion and herd protector, who was martyred here. The a r C • from Cuneo: SP 422 road to right, cross a wild area and with a G y oldest part of the building is the Allemandi chapel frescoed by c Caraglio, Dronero and Macra. long, level path you can reach the th e

l Pietro da Saluzzo in the 15 century. l a village of Camoglieres, a group of l

m Castelmagno is also the name of the king of the P.D.O.cheeses - alpine houses. Here you can see a V e produced only in this area - and which is used to season the deli-

n some paintings by Giors Boneto, a

cious potato gnocchi. It is a cheese made from alpine vaccine milk a painter from Paesana who worked D of old origin (first documents about its existence go back to 13th n a i in the valley in the 800’s. t d century) and nowadays it is appreciated by connoisseurs all over n a Follow on by taking the old medieval

the world. o c road that goes to Macra in between t The age-old labour by the shepherds and farmers of the valley i M

c old vine terraces and breathtaking has left an architectural and landscape patrimony of great value à

P views. The route continues under the t a pronaos of the medieval chapel of made up of small villages, old paths and mule tracks that nowa- i t days can come back to life thanks to hiking, cycling, mountain-bike n h San Peyre. Following on, you can u w reach the San Marcellino Parish and equitation lovers. m a

Church and then down a short Besides, you can discover the Provençal cultural movement and o y descent the path leads back to the visit an interesting ethnographic museum in Sancto Lucio di C starting point. Coumboscuro, situated in a lateral gorge.

For further information about other itineraries, nature trails, mountaineering programmes, summer and winter excursions please contact:

Comunità Montana Valle Grana Via San Paolo, 3 12023 Caraglio (CN) tel. +39.0171.619492 - fax +39.0171.618290 Macra www.vallegrana.it - e-mail: [email protected] 29 From the Colletto di Castelmagno Village to Colle della Margherita (R10)

Description: The R10 mule track leaves the cen- tre of the little village next to the Departure point: first house (directions “Croce”). Colletto di Castelmagno Shortly after it reaches a votive pil- Arrival point: lar dedicated to Sant’Antonio and

Colle della Margherita then goes on, on the orographic a t

Gradient: 707 m right of Rio Valliera, passes another i r

Time required: 2 h 30 min votive pillar and comes to a wooden e Degree of difficulty: medium bridge (1300 m). The pathway passes h g

Links to other routes: near to Borgata Sarià (1346 m) and r a

C road R9 Colletto - Narbona and reaches the ridge of Valliera-Cauri M o road S3 Colle della Margherita - where you can find the uninhabited m a

Paglieres (Valle Maira) Albre, Campofei and Grange hamlets. l l u Access: e n From Grange (1496 m) the path car- d i • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit ries on to the left towards Fonte La t e l à

Marene; follow along the SP Costa (1620 m). From here it goes l 662 road to Savigliano and on right and passes at the base of a o C M the SR 20 follow directions to thick larch wood reaching the side of o o Levaldigi and . Take the Rio Cauri. Coming back on the Rio t n o t provincial road to Caraglio and Valliera side the path follows the a n

from here take the SP 23 to higher part of the larch wood, near g n a a and the SP 112 to on the Valliera-Cauri watershed. m V

Castelmagno. Coming out of the wood you reach l e a

• from Cuneo: SP 422 road to Grange Sarià (1750 m) and from t s l l Caraglio. Follow like above. here the path goes toward the head a e

of the charming Rio Cauri gorge C G nearing the rocky falls named Bars i r d a la Chiaus. Then it climbs up on the o n

rocky ramparts crossing a small t a t e

pass called Passetto (1613 m) and l l

comes to the ruins of a barn. From o

here it reaches the Grana-Maira C watershed and the Colle della m

Margherita (1979 m). o r F

Colle Margherita

Colletto 30 31 From the Sanctuary “Santuario di San Magno” From the Chiappi di Castelmagno hamlet to Bassa di Narbona (R13) to the Viridio Pass (R16)

Description: Description: From the Santuario di San Magno Leaving the Chiappi di Castelmagno (1763 m) the dirt road to Colle hamlet (1661 m) follow the dirt Departure point: Santuario di d’Esischie turns right and comes Departure point: Borgata Chiappi track that, after the Sibolet and San Magno - Castelmagno to two constructions. It carries on di Castelmagno Grana streams, reaches the Inciastar Arrival point: Bassa di Narbona up the pastured slopes towards Arrival point: Passo Viridio Gorge and then a short way towards Gradient: 442 m Gradient: 690 m the north with hairpin bends. At east enters into the gorge and ends Time required: 2 h Time required: 2 h 1920 m parallel to a hollow, the o S

at about an altitude of 1700 m. i Degree of difficulty: medium Degree of difficulty: medium a old R13 path appears on the left From here the R16 path begins and d i n Links to other routes: after the Links to other routes: from Viridio and reaches the Sibolet-Narbona r t goes across the bottom of the valley i

u mountain pass the S22 path goes pass turning east along the water- ridge where the Crosetta Pass southwards. At 2202 m you reach a V a down to Castellaro di Celle shed you can reach the panoramic

r (2175 m) opens out: in this place basin that is distinguished by a o

i Macra. Cima Viribianc (2477 m). s o there are numerous little crosses Access: Access: pool. After a couple of steeper s a d left by pilgrims. • from Turin: • from Turin: tracks, the pathway turns left along P i Diagonally left (north-west) the the Grana-Arma watershed between

see previous route. see previous route. - S R13 path descends between alder a • from Cuneo: • from Cuneo: Cima Viribianc (2477 m) and Monte o n and rhododendron bushes, see previous route. see previous route. Viridio (2498 m), in the point where n g M towards the head of Comba di the pass of the same name opens up Narbona. Then at an altitude of a a (2390 m). The valley path named m g 2138 m, it crosses the mountai- l n

“Curnis Auta” runs along the ridge e

nous ridge of the ruined Grange t o

and it is indicated by clearly visible s

Perolet. a - red-white notches. C

B The pathway, that is mixed with grassy i a tracks where herds and flocks pass, d s s

goes diagonally north east on grassy i a slopes to the Grana-Maira water- p p d

shed. Here the ample Bassa di a i i

N Narbona (2220 m) opens up with its h C a numerous stone constructions r

(Grange Serra 2232 m). a b t o a n g a r o B

Chiappi Narbona Viridio

S. San Magno 32

Comunità Montana VALLE STURA

The whole territory of the Comunità Montana Valle is marked by the river of the same name which flows from the Maddalena Lake, at nearly 2000 m altitude, runs between the Olla Gorges and divides the Maritime Alps from the Cottian Alps. The valley, which is about 60 km long, is very wide and has gentle slopes at the beginning, narrowing at and Gola delle Barricate and widening out again towards Bersezio with conifer woods and green fields.There are numerous lateral gorges and peaks that almost reach three thousand metres altitude. Only two of these are higher: the Tenibres (3031 m) and the Corborant (3010 m). The fascination of the valley is in its intact nature, its complex network of pathways, mule tracks and army roads and in its stone houses built

to last through time: the roofs in the lower valley are made from lose C (slate), whereas higher up, they were made from thatch or shingles of a r . M wood. Typical examples are in the villages called San Bernolfo, Ferriere u t . S V and Neraissa. a Other peculiarities to take note of, are the sulphurous Spa in the e l l l l

e Bagni di Vinadio gorge, the imposing nineteenth-century Forte a

V S Albertino “fort” of Vinadio, one of the most significant examples of . t

u military architecture, the Santuario di Sant’Anna (at 2010 m, the M . r highest in Europe) situated at the top of the valley of the same name a that leads to Colle della Lombarda (2351 m), and the Ecomuseo della C Pastorizia “Sheep-Farming Museum” (in Pontebernardo, hamlet of ) that celebrates the sheep of the breed, which is a symbol of the valley, named for its tasty meat.

For further information about other itineraries, nature trails, mountaineering programmes, summer and winter excursions please contact:

Comunità Montana Valle Stura Piazza Spada, 19 12014 Demonte (CN) tel. +39.0171.955555 - fax +39.0171.955055 www.vallestura.cn.it - e-mail: [email protected] 34 35

Cappella dell’Assunta di Moiola Ascending Monte Tenibres (P48 e P49)

Description: The Assunta Chapel is situated on a panoramic knoll and dominates a Departure point: Moiola good part of the Stura valley. The Departure point: Arrival point: trip leading there is simple and a Pian della Regina, Pietraporzio Cappella dell’Assunta di Moiola good part is along an asphalt road. Arrival point: Monte Tenibres Gradient: about 300 m The route is also practicable in Gradient: about 1600 m Time required: uphill only 1h winter, but it would nearly always Time required: uphill 5 h 30 min Degree of difficulty: be in the shade so it is advisable to Degree of difficulty: for expert typical hiking route do it in autumn or spring. hikers, advised from end of July to Zanotti Refuge Access: From Moiola (685 m) walk along the middle of October. Description: Links to other routes: P27 road Monte Tenibres is the highest peak in • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit the road that flanks the left side of from the Canotti refuge (2144 m) to the Stura valley: the itinerary that Marene; follow along the SP 662 the brook Rio dei Colli. The road is C the Migliorero refuge (2094 m) and reaches the top does not present any a road to Savigliano and on the SR asphalted as far as Tetto Spada

p to the Lago inf. dell’Ischiator (Lower particular degree of difficulty. The

20 road towards Cuneo. From (912 m). From here you go right on s p

Lake); P30 road from the Zanotti main problem is the length of the e e

Cuneo follow directions to Borgo another asphalt road that ends in r

l refuge (2144 m) downhill towards route that can be divided over two b l

San Dalmazzo and from here Tetto Veglia. The path goes to a i a the Talarico refuge (1720 m). days by stopping off in the Zanotti n take the SR 21 road of the Colle watershed and then turns left to d Access: refuge. The view from the peak is e e della Maddalena as far as the church (1017 m). T

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit vast and fulfilling. l l Moiola. e ’ Marene; follow along the SP 662 Main route: Pian della Regina (1468 t A • from Cuneo: SR 20 road to Borgo road to Savigliano and on the SR m), dirt road P48 of the Piz Gorge, n s o s San Dalmazzo. Follow like above. 20 road towards Cuneo. From Lausarel (1920 m), Gias del Piz (2042

u Cappella dell’Assunta di Moiola M n Cuneo follow directions to Borgo m), crossroads (on the left Zanotti t San Dalmazzo and from here take refuge, 2144 m; 3 h from the start). g a n

the SR 21 Colle della Maddalena From the crossroads carry on down i d d

i road as far as Pietraporzio. path P29 towards south-west, basin n

M

• from Cuneo: SR 20 road to Borgo of the Mongioie Lake (2472 m), e San Dalmazzo. Follow like above. c o

Tenibres pass (2940 m), Monte s i

Tenibres (3031 m). A o l a

Pian della Regina

Moiola 36 37 Around the Sant’Anna Lakes (P18) Lago Superiore di Roburent

Description: A hike for the family, with limited gradients and views. The ring Departure point/arrival: comes across numerous little lakes, Departure point: Colle della Sant’Anna di Vinadio some in and some on the other Maddalena, Rifugio della Pace Gradient: about 600 m side of the border.The route is main- Arrival point: Lago Superiore di Time required: ly along dirt roads that go back to Roburent 2 h 30 min in total World War times: barracks in ruins Gradient: about 500 m Degree of difficulty: hike, advised and parts with barbed wire are the Time required: uphill only 2 h from July to October. witnesses of that era. Degree of difficulty: hiking, Description: Links to other routes: P17 from Main route: Sant’Anna di Vinadio advisable from May to October; This tour is also suitable for anyone Sant’Anna to the Bravaria pass Sanctuary (2010 m), uphill to the in winter with snow shoes. who isn’t used to steep gradients. (2311 m); P19 from Sant’Anna lake “Lago Grande di Sant’Anna” Links to other routes: The gentle gorges where the route

A downhill towards the Callieri villa- (2184 m), then to the Tesina pass P41 road descending towards spreads out are closed laterally by t r ge (1455 m); P57 from the Colle di (2400 m). Argentera passing by the lakes bold mountains with sheer calcare- o n

u “Lago Mediano e Inferiore di Sant’Anna Lake (2156 m) to Colle Route in altitude to Colle Saboulé ous walls. The view is particularly e r n della Lombarda (2351 m). (2460 m), then left towards the Roburent”. splendid on Monte Oronaye, a peak u d

Access: b Access: Lausfer lakes, in French territory. Go of 3100 m with a definitely “dolo- t o h • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit up to Colle Lausfer (2378 m) then • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit mitic” look. The great quantity of R e go along a good panoramic dirt Marene; follow along the SP lakes makes the trip suitable for all

Marene; follow along the SP i

S 662 road to Savigliano and on road to Colle di Sant’Anna (2308 m) 662 road to Savigliano and the family. d a e n the SR 20 road towards Cuneo. from here you go back to the along the SR 20 towards Cuneo. Main route: from the Colle della r t

Sanctuary. From Cuneo follow directions to Maddalena (1996 m) go down for a o

’ From Cuneo follow directions to i A

Borgo San Dalmazzo and from and from few metres along the French side of r n here take the SR 21 road of the e n here take the SR 21 road of the the hill, then turn right along the p a Colle della Maddalena as far as Colle della Maddalena as far as Oronaye Gorge, the Oronaye Lake u

S L Vinadio. Turning left not far the pass. (2411 m), the Colle di Roburent o a • from Cuneo: take the SR 20 road (2496 m) finally go down towards g

k after the village, you’ll see the a e Sant’Anna Valley leading to the to Borgo San Dalmazzo. Follow the Lago Superiore di Roburent s L

Sanctuary. like above. (2426 m). • from Cuneo: SR 20 road to Borgo San Dalmazzo. Follow like above.

Colle della Maddalena

Rifugio della Pace Lago di Roburent

Santuario di S.Anna

e m i t t i r a M i p l A e l a r u t a N o c r a P ibex, beeches formtheP of adjacent Grandevalley(ramification Vermenagna valley) secular di at Termea visittotheGiardinoBotanico Valderia “Botanic garden” again whilethelammergeyerhasbeenre-introduced. at about70 38 w.acapmrtiei -al [email protected] www.parcoalpimarittime.it - e-mail: +39.0171.97397-fax+39.0171.97542 tel. (CN) 12010 30 Piazza ReginaElena, Direzione Parco Naturale delle Alpi Marittime summerandwinter excursionspleasecontact: programmes, mountaineering naturetrails, For furtherinformation aboutotheritineraries, springs thatgushatthefootofMonteMatto offers about80lakes (nearlyallofglacialorigin)andprecioushot that formthesouthernmostpartsofalpineglaciers the On tudes byasedimentarycoveringofsandstoneandlimestone. surroundedinloweralti- the parkisformedfromcrystallinerocks, The coreof and reachthe Argentera peakthatstandsat3297m. ment ofhikingexcursions. open from15/6to15/9)havecontributedthecontinuousdevelop- andagoodnumberofguardedalpinerefuges(normally nance, objectofpermanentmainte- The pathnetwork, the KingsofSavoy. were madeoverthenextyearsinordertomake huntingeasierfor Royal HuntingReserveandanetworkofpathsmuletracks In1857alloftheareawas declareda (27,945hectares). isthelargestprotectedareain Stura and Vermenagna valleys, V All localanimalsbelongtothetypicalalpinefauna(chamois, In afewkilometresyoucanstartfrom800monthevalley floor situatedintheGesso, The Parco Naturaledelle Alpi Marittime, Argentera andGelàsmassifs aldieri (open15/6-15/9)thatgathersnumerousplants roe deer ° C. , marmots ALPI MARITTIME alanfrè wood. , ( The Maritime Alps NaturalPark ) als as) The wolfhasreappeared caws…). eagles, , there aretracesofancientglaciers PARCO NATURALE , in T erme di Do notmiss . The park V . aldieri, In the

Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime 40 41 The Pathway of the Rye Ecomuseum Through History and Nature

Description: Description: A ring shaped walk along the Hike to the Soria-Ellena refuge that “Ecomuseo della Segale” pathway is situated at the foot of the Monte Departure point / arrival: that reaches the old Tetti Bertola and Departure point: Gelàs glacier and on the tracks of Sant’Anna di Valdieri Bariau villages, where the Park has San Giacomo di the old Via del Sale (“Salt Road”) Gradient: 200 m recently reconstructed the typical rye Arrival point: that joined to Piedmont. Time required: uphill 1h 50 min; thatched coverings of some of the Soria Ellena refuge (1840 m) It is easy to come across mar- downhill 45 min habitations. From the Ecomuseum Gradient: 650 m mots, roe deer and ibex along Degree of difficulty: hike Shop “I Bateur”, in the centre of the Time required: uphill 2 h 30 min; the route, and with a bit of luck Access: village (1011 m), go down the main downhill 1h 45 min the lammergeyer, a bird of prey • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit road for about one hundred metres Degree of difficulty: hike recently re-introduced. Marene; follow along the SP 662 and then take the road on the left Links to other routes: M10 path From the car park (1215 m) you T road to Savigliano and then the that goes to the cemetery. A signpost from the Soria Ellena refuge (1840 go up to the little group of buil- h

e SR 20 road to Cuneo. From indicates the start of the path that m) to the Genova Fogari refuge dings where the Park Lodge, a

P Cuneo follow directions to Borgo crosses the wood and leads to Tetti (2010 m) and to the Brocan Lake; useful information point, is open e a San Dalmazzo and from here Bartola (1054 m). The route proceeds M11 path from the Soria Ellena in the summer. Follow the dirt r t u h take the SP 22 road of the Gesso half way up the hill and crosses a refuge (1840 m) to Colle di Finestra road that goes across the beech t w valley as far as Valdieri and (after brook. Straight after there is a steep (2471 m). wood and reaches Gias Isterpis a a N

about 8,5 km) to the Sant’Anna climb that ends at some rocks that Access: (1381 m). Keep on the main path y d hamlet. offer an excellent sight. Following • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit that goes round a hairpin bend o n

f Marene; follow along the SP 662 after the crossroads for Gias della • from Cuneo: the SR 20 road to the path you reach Tetti Bariau (1190 a

t Borgo San Dalmazzo. Follow like m) from where you go down to the road to Savigliano and proceed Siula. y h r e above. mule track of the Meris Gorge. Along to Cuneo on the SR 20 road. Walking half way uphill and after o

From Cuneo follow directions to t R this, go back downhill reaching the a couple of bends you go over the s i y starting point again. Borgo San Dalmazzo and then Peirastretta Pass (1630 m). After e

take the SP 22 road to the Gesso crossing a modest plain go up to H

E

valley and enter in the Entracque Piano del Praiet, from where you h c g o valley. From here follow direc- can catch sight of the refuge u m tions to San Giacomo hamlet. (1840 m) that by now is near.It o u • from Cuneo: take the SR 20 road can be reached easily in 10 minu- r s h e to Borgo San Dalmazzo. Follow

tes, keeping to the path. T u like above. m

S.Anna di Valdieri

S. Giacomo

Rif. Soria Ellena 42 43

Through Lakes and Waterfalls (N21-N22-N23)

Departure point / arrival: Terme di Valdieri Gradient: about 1100 m Time required: uphill 3 h 30 min / 4h; downhill 2 h 30 min Degree of difficulty: hike Links to other routes: N23 path from the Lake Inferiore di Valscura (2274 m) to the Colletto di Valscura (2520 m) to the Malinvern-Città di

T Ceva refuge (1839 m) in the Stura s h valley; N24 path from the Lake l l r a o Inferiore di Valscura to the Bassa del Description: fall and through a tunnel in the rock f u

Druos (2628 m) and (on French terri- The route follows the thick network of that comes out in Valscura. From r g e t h tory) as far as Isola 2000; N27 path army roadways of the Valasco Gorge. there, go up around a couple of a from the Lake Inferiore of Valscura bends as far as the lower Valscura

L It’s a ring through lakes and waterfalls a to the Costa Miana pass (2620 m) as along which it is possible to come Lake (2274 m). W k

far as the N17 path that going left across marmots and roe deer. From the lake turn left and walk d e n s leads to Lake Soprano della Sella From Terme (1368 m) follow the along a beautiful paved road offering

a a (2329 m) and going right goes back road that rises on the orographic a wonderful sight of Argentera and s n

to Piano del Valasco. Monte Matto. Reaching the Claus e d left of the Valasco Gorge reaching k Access: Piano del Valasco (1763 m). Cross Lake proceed downhill as far as the W a

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit over the plain, passing the hunting crossroads from which, going right L a Marene; follow along the SP 662 the path climbs up to the Questa houses built for King Vittorio h t e to Savigliano and proceed Emanuele II and then up to Piano refuge (2388 m) and to the Portette g r u f towards Cuneo on the SR 20 Lake. From the refuge go back on

Superiore del Valasco (1814 m) o a r l road. From Cuneo follow direc- where you cross the stream. The your tracks to the last crossroads l h s tions to Borgo San Dalmazzo and

mule track follows the stream and and going right, you reach Val T from here take the SP 22 road of then climbs up to the crossroads Morta (“dead valley”) along a the Gesso valley to Terme di leading to the Valscura Lakes and panoramic road. Going down you Valdieri. the Questa refuge. reach Piano Superiore del Valasco • from Cuneo: take the SR 20 road Proceeding right towards the lakes and from where you can go back to to Borgo San Dalmazzo. Follow the path passes the foot of a water- the starting point. like above.

a n g a n e m r e V e o s s e G i l l a V . M . C . . alanfré beechwoods , nature trails, mountaineering maybe along the salt road already , Comunità Montana Montana Comunità VALLI GESSO E GESSO VALLI VERMENAGNA 27 - 12017 (CN) or amongst the age-old P 3 - 12010 Entracque (CN) , alli Gesso e Vermenagna alli Gesso e here are thousands of ways to have an active holiday, here are thousands of ways In the mountain area of there is a V T .limonepiemonte.it - e-mail [email protected] .limonepiemonte.it he Vermenagna Valley, Vermenagna he point between the a conventional dividing T The Gesso Valley starts in Borgo S.Valley Gesso The the old Roman villa- Dalmazzo - Pedo All these valleys, close to Cuneo, which are similar from a naturalistic are or further information about other itineraries Piazza Giustizia e Libertà, tel. +39.0171.978616 - fax +39.0171.978637 e-mail: [email protected] Tourist Board Tourist Vernante Umberto I,Via (CN) - tel.Vernante 19-12019 / fax +39.0171.920550 e-mail: [email protected] Board Tourist Entracque www www.cmgvp.org - e-mail:www.cmgvp.org [email protected] Board Tourist Limone Piemonte Roma,Via 30 - 12015 Limone Piemonte (CN) tel. +39.0171.925280 - fax +39.0171.925289 Comunità Montana Piazza Regina Margherita, tel. +39.0171.78240 / 78457 - fax +39.0171.78604 F 44 programmes, winter excursions please contact: summer and ge – and it proceeds towards Valdieri where it bifurcates into the Entracque Valdieri ge – and it proceeds towards gorges.Valdieri di Terme and park called Parco Here you enter the natural (see the previous chapter) that has its heart in the Alpi Marittime Naturale Argentera group (3297 m). point of view: settlings in the lower with urban and industrial huge spaces valley, higher part. extensive woodlands in the basins and thick network of mule tracks and army roads which were built starting from thick network of mule tracks and army roads which were the chain of forts built the second half of the nineteenth century connecting with a defensive aim. starting from the splendid nature trails Maritime and Ligurian Alps,Maritime and Ligurian Limone Piemonte – an interna- goes up towards Tenda. di tional ski resort – and the Colle single, It presents one rami- relevant Vernante, Grande di Val fication consisting of of which the higher part – cal- – belongs to the Parco di Palanfré Naturale del Bosco e dei Laghi led Riserva area.Alpi Marittime Naturale delle is Rocca peak in the valley highest The dell’Abisso (2755 m). Vernante, village, Pinocchio’s one hundred murals invites you to admire over on the drawings of Mussino, book the first illustrator of Collodi’s crossed by the Romans C.M. Valli Gesso e Vermenagna 46 47

Via dei Teit (The Roofs Road) Via Romana (The Roman Road) (L14)

Description: Description: The route covers numerous villages At the beginning of the Limonetto (téit =tetto=roof), once permanently built-up area (1280 m), leave the pro- Departure point: inhabited and now reduced in ruins. Departure point: Limonetto vincial road and proceed on the left Vernante - Bec Moler picnic area Going along the “Via di Téit” the hiker Arrival point: Colle di Tenda on the wide mule track called “Via Arrival point: Palanfrè hamlet really goes back in time. Gradient: 590 m Romana” that passes behind some Gradient: 800 m After 200 m from the Bec Moler picnic Time required: 2 h apartment blocks and then onto the Time required: round trip from 4h area leave the road and turn right Degree of difficulty: western woody side of Serra Conche. 30 min to 5 h 30 min onto a dirt track. After a deviation to hiking route Further on the mule track bifurcates Degree of difficulty: medium the right follow to the end of the track Links to other routes: leaving a path on the left that leads V Links to other routes: with and then follow a pathway reaching , G.T.A., Fort tour to the gorge where there are the i a Monte Sape, La Maddalena and Tetti Colletta (1226 m – from here an Access: Quota 1400 skilifts and then bends Bussaia d indicated path goes down to the pro- • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit towards the south in the Prati di San e Access: vincial road, where you can go back to Lorenzo basin where you will find the i Marene; follow along the SP )

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit d T the starting point). The route goes 662 road to Savigliano and then Limonetto skilifts. The hike carries on a e Marene; follow along the SP 662 beyond the Bercia (1231 m) and south-east with a series of hairpin o i on the SR 20 towards Cuneo.

t road to Savigliano and then on reaches Tetti David and then Tetti bends, on the orographic right of the R From Cuneo follow the SR 20

( the road SR 20 towards Cuneo. Bertaina. San Lorenzo Gorge: it leaves a devia- T Colle di Tenda road to Borgo San From Cuneo follow the road SR n h Cross over the Cornàle Gorge and Dalmazzo, Limone Piemonte tion to the left and passes, towards a

e 20 of the Colle di Tenda to Borgo after the watershed enter in the the right, a final steep slope reaching m San Dalmazzo and Vernante. At and Limonetto. R Pioccia Gorge, where you find Tetti • from Cuneo: SR 20 Colle di Colle di Tenda (1871 m) which marks o

o the traffic-light, turn right and Doni (1482 m). At a crossroads leave the watershed between the R o follow the Valle Grande road as Tenda road to Borgo San e f the right deviation and proceed as far Vermenagna and valleys, and s Dalmazzo. Follow like above.

far as an picnic area (park h

as the Saut Fountain (1410 m). Just also the border of France between T R signpost). (

after it, you find the second variant the peaks of Salaute (2176 m) and o • from Cuneo: SR 20 Colle di Tenda a road to Borgo San Dalmazzo. which interrupts the route. Instead, Becco Rosso (2207 m). a d carrying on, you go past the Franco n )

Follow like above. a Gorge and the Gialina Fountain. When S. Pietro in Vincoli - Limone Piemonte m

you come to Tetti Cucet (1505 m), o

descend on the provincial road that R

you can reach in the Ruina locality a and then follow as far as the Palanfrè i V houses.

Vernante Limonetto Borgata di Palanfré Colle di Tenda 48 49 Tour of the Nineteenth Century Forts

1. Forte Alto (Fort Central) the roadway to go up, on the right Time required: a few minutes. along a mule track. Reaching a col Leaving Colle di Tenda (1871 m) after a few minutes, turn left cut- Departure point/arrival: follow the road ramification that ting through stony ground at the Colle di Tenda from the pillar goes east and in a head of the Cabanaira gorge up to Degree of difficulty: few minutes rises to the big bar- a second grassy col (2189 m), Hiking route racks which is partially in ruin at where you’ll find the boundary Access: stone n. 205. • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit the foot of Forte Alto. From the Marene; follow along the SP 662 main portal of the barracks a small Here you enter the road that con- road to Savigliano and then on the road breaks away and rises rapidly nects Forte Taburda with Forte SR 20 road towards Cuneo. From to the solid building of Forte Alto Pepino and follow it towards the T s o Cuneo follow the SR 20 road to (1908 m) ending in the ample clea- left. At an altitude of 2240 m it bifur- t u Borgo San Dalmazzo, Limone ring north of the building. The deep cates and you proceed right up a light r

r Leaving the main road go over a o

Piemonte and Colle di Tenda. slope. After a rocky ridge the road-

moat is very notable. Under the F o second pass and then on to French

f • from Cuneo: SR 20 Colle di Tenda fort, nearly perpendicular, there are way reaches Forte Pepino (2263 m). y territory along a cart track that t road to Borgo San Dalmazzo. This fort is also surrounded by a deep r

h two (road and railway) tunnels of

goes south cutting through the u

e Follow like above. Colle di Tenda. moat and is camouflaged by grass t

western slopes of Cima Becco Description: n N and soil. Rosso. Passing the small Begin e

i Between 1880 and 1890 there was 2. Forte Taburda (Fort Tabourde) C n a lot of work done to fortify Colle Time required: 1 h and Fripon valleys, the roadway 4. Forte Margheria e h t di Tenda. Today all of the forts are From Colle di Tenda follow the cart reaches the Forte Taburda clea- (Fort de la Marguerie) t e n e on French territory after the border ring (1982 m) protected by a wide Time required: 30 min track that runs inside the barracks e n

changed position. and deep moat. e t From Colle di Tenda follow the road at the foot of Forte Alto and then t h descends to join the roadway On the return journey you can fol- that goes west and slopes up with e

n C coming from Quota 1400 leading low a longer route that offers a some bends along the ridge i e N

n beautiful sight on the Alps from to Colletto Campanin. towards Rocca dell’Abisso. At the t Monte Bego to Rocca dell’Abisso. e u Going round the Limone mountain- first crossroads (la Colletta – 1907 h r m) follow the roadway that t side you reach a crossroads. y 3. Forte Pepino (Fort de Pépin) f

towards left leads to Bassa di o F Time required: 2 h o

Peirafica. Rounding a small valley r The previous route is used to get to r u

t where the Irene Fountain gushes

this fort, but on reaching the second o s

(1882 m) the road goes down to T pass, leave the ramification towards the nearby Forte Margheria (1842 Forte Taburda and proceed left, cut- m), situated on a cape which domi- ting through the steep northern nates the whole Caramagna gorge. slopes of Cima Becco Rosso. After The fort is surrounded by a moat. walking for about forty five minu- Crossing over some gravel paths tes cross over Rio Cabanaira over a you can enter in the fort. There are small bridge reaching the still some traces of an aqueduct “Cabanaira” chair lift station visible on the outside. A ruined (1978 m). Proceed right above the path rises along this ridge and skilifts reaching Colletto Campanin reaches the above Forte Pernante. (2142 m). Once on the path, leave

s t r o F y r u t n e C h t n e e t e n i N e h t f o r u o T 51 iaura (2253 m). foot of the rocky shoulder where the rocky shoulder foot of the summit. Giaura rises on Forte and after only road bends west The bend reaches Forte one hairpin G fort is pentagonally planned The surrounded by a deep moat. A long on its slope (Pra’ Giordano) begins it western side and after crossing of peak the you gently rise towards you can Rocca dell’Abisso where find the remains of an aqueduct. fter a narrow col (2078 m) cut fter a narrow Forte Giaura Forte Alto Forte his long route can be shortened route can his long T first col after over the by climbing the and following Pernante Forte the traces of the path that flanks aqueduct. joins the road path The a stone between into the reddish Becco Cima Salaute and Monte Rosso. for a short distance Proceed up to the near- along the roadway by Bassa Sovrana di Margherìa 2079 m),(Baisse du Pera at the 1 h 40 orte Pernante, follow the roadway The previous route is used to get to previous route is used to get The up to this fort and without going F the that goes round from the north bends Cima Salaute and then Abisso valley. south-west to the 6. de Giaure) (Fort Giaura Forte Time required: The waterworks for this fort were for this waterworks The aqueduct which was assured by an long and of which a few kilometres traces today along remain some cuts through the the path that of Cima Salaute southern slopes and at (2176 m - west of the fort) reaches the side of the road that Abisso valley,the shoulders at the Giaura. of Forte 40 min The previous route is used to get to previous route is The at the first crossroads this fort and 1907 m) follow the (la Colletta - the right path that branches off to side and goes up on the northern of the ridge. part of the road This between consists of borderlines an altitu- Italy and France. Towards leaves de of 2070 m a ramification rounded the road and reaches a peak, where – well camouflaged – Forte the pentagonally planned (2117 m) is positioned. Pernante be enjo- An exceptional view can yed from this dominant point. 5. Pernante Forte Pernante) (Fort Time required: 50 Tour of the Nineteenth Century Forts

o i s e P f o y r e t s a n o M n a i s u h t r a C - e k a l i e f n a i P 53 . alley rom here you reach the F . Loc. Mussi to the Carthusiantothe Monastery of Pesio escription: From the Pianfei lake Pianfei the From D conti- (560 m) the Pianfei Lake From nue, 2 km, for about along the you into which takes asphalt road leads to the Rolando the woods and hamlet located on an extensive plain. When you reach the end of the the first dirt road. hamlet take and Proceed uphill through chestnut “pinus strobes” as forests as far Barello. Bricco here you proceed From coming until you come to the dirt road hamlet and indi- Garavagna the from signs. cated with white and red to the route signs you come Following Schiavaira, here the road becomes the more panoramic and it reaches (710 m). Pass Murtè the signs along this fine path, Follow you to the Olocco shrine, which takes and features a series of sometimes steep climbs. here you will From reach the village of Fuggin and you will subsequently pass through a series of other abandoned hamlets (following the route of the old villa- Tetto ges) until you reach the knoll of Baudinet. Borgata Colletto village that offers a splendid view over the v then continue downhill - we You recommend that you ignore the sign for the village of S. Paolo, unless you are very fit - until you reach the crossroads just above the S. Bartolomeo hamlet, that indicates a nature trail that leads to the Carthusian monastery (859 m),of Pesio with no further climbs di Pesio Certosa M. Bisalta Castello 1030 m ,Villanova Caporale - uphill only 3 h; 5 h round trip A6 motorway,Mondovì; exit pro- ceed in the direction of Mondovì and on the road SP 564 as far as Pianfei. SP 564 del Monregalese road as far as Pianfei. tarting point: ianfei Lake - Mussi locality ianfei Lake Mirabello Gradient: the Time necessary to complete route: of difficulty: Degree easy, is quite although the walk long (approx. 20 km). Links to other routes: Access: • from Turin: • from Cuneo: S P Arrival point: Carthusian monastery Pesio mountaineering , nature trails , some examples are the Carthusian Comunità Montana Montana Comunità BISALTA and on one side extends to the fertile Cuneo plain,and on one side extends to the and towards 13 - 12016 (CN) 13 - 12016 Peveragno , summer and winter excursions please contact: , . +39.0171.339858 - fax +39.0171.339858 Ambrosino he area boasts a host of interesting aspects such as its strawberry and berry he area boasts a host of interesting Nature-lovers will appreciate the wonderfully relaxing walks, there is no while Cuneo is surrounded by a series of rocky spurs,Cuneo is surrounded is most imposing of which the Bisalta is in fact situated at the foot area that forms the Comunità Montana The T ia or further information about other itineraries cultivations in Peveragno and the chestnut forests which yield the delicious and and the in Peveragno cultivations festivals. Autumn highly prized chestnuts that are celebrated in numerous The the local Cuneo valleys chestnut which has been a staple food for centuries in Boves at the Marquet also has a special Chestnut Museum dedicated to it in farmhouse lack of interesting features for the art-lover: (see next chapter),Monastery of Pesio the Madonna della Pieve Sanctuary in dei Boschi in Boves, and the ancient ecclesiastical complex of Madonna of particular note due to its primitive Romanesque architecture. Another outstanding to the mid 16th cen- feature is the fresco of the Universal Judgement dating back Chapel in Rome. tury and showing a host of elements reminiscent of the Sistine programmes V e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] Board Peveragno Tourist tel. e-mail: [email protected] Board Chiusa Pesio Tourist Piazza Cavour, (CN) 15 - 12013 Chiusa Pesio tel. +39.0171.734990 - fax +39.0171.735339 Comunità Montana Bisalta Località Madonna dei Boschi, (CN) 76 - 12016 Peveragno tel. +39.0171.339957 - fax +39.0171.338229 F that of the Bisalta, outline that trapezoid shaped mountain a splendid irregular and 2231 two nearby peaks of 2018 to the town and features forms the backdrop respectively. m origin of this double summit is attributable Legend has it that the to the devil himself, the request of a drunk local farmer, as on to unable was who home,find his way rock from the mountain that the portion of he cut away obscured the moon, soul.man’s in exchange for the poor However the farmer by signing the contract with a cross which caused succeeded in saving himself the devil to flee in terror. of this mountain, area includes the local Beinette, on the other.The valleys the Colla and Pesio Boves, , forms and Pianfei villages and a part of the area also Peveragno chapter). (see the following Tanaro e Pesio Valle Alta Naturale part of the Parco 52 Comunità Montana Bisalta 54 55

Tour of Fontana Cappa Via dei Morti (The Dead Road)

Description: Description: This lengthy itinerary takes you along This itinerary (also recommended the slopes of the Bisalta mountain for mountain-bike enthusiasts), and through the Boves, Peveragno takes its name from the road used Departure point: Departure/arrival point: and Chiusa Pesio municipalities. for funeral processions transporting San Giacomo di Boves hamlet Montefallonio From the San Giacomo di Boves Arrival point: Pradeboni hamlet. Gradient: 525 m the inhabitants of Pradeboni to the hamlet (800 m) take the dirt road in You will need to leave a car there to Time required: 2 h 30 min cemetery in Peveragno. the direction of Tetto Rosso (965 m) return to San Giacomo di Boves. Degree of difficulty: medium The starting point is Montefallonio and proceed along the dirt road Gradient: 900 m Links to other routes: from (570 m) from where you take the which offers a wonderful view of the Time required: uphill only 2 h 30 Borgata Truma to Gias Morteis asphalt road to Regione Ciarma. entire alpine chain. min; round trip 5 h Access: After a few hundred metres you You reach the Bercia pass (1403 m) Degree of difficulty: challenging • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit turn left into a dirt road that climbs followed by the Fontana Cappa villa- Links to other routes: Truma villa- Mondovì; proceed in the direc- through the woodland. Following ge (1400 m). From here you proceed ge (in the direction of Vigna in the tion of Mondovì and on the SP the main road and the white and uphill until you reach a house at the Pesio valley) 564 del Monregalese road to red signs, continue until you reach a

T foot of a conifer forest, from which a Access: Beinette. Take the SP 42 road in crossroads, near an old house. From o route branches out and takes you to u • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit the direction of Chiusa Pesio and here turn right and then left until r Fossano; proceed along the SP Sella, which offers a spectacular follow the signs for you reach the “Crocetta” road on i o panoramic view. From here you 214 main road towards Montefallonio. t f the pass between Pradeboni and r and Sant’Albano Stura. Take the descend downhill to the Artoundù • from Cuneo: SP 564 del o F Peveragno. animal barns (1608 m), which provi- o Boves SP 3 road to Cuneo and Monregalese road to Beinette. M

n Follow the road as far as Tetto

without entering the town itself de a fine example of the typical Follow like above. i t Gallina and continue to Località a proceed on the SP 21 road to mountain architecture, and then take e n the road that enters the forest and Meschie (1123 m). Here, cross the d Spinetta and Boves. From Boves a

bridge and you come to the Truna a

extends to the Pusin alpine pastures.

follow the signs to the San i C Then you cross the Rio Grosso which village (1018 m) and always on the Giacomo hamlet. V a p • From Cuneo: SP 21 road for brings you onto the road that leads path you will reach the Pradeboni p Spinetta and Boves. Follow like to Gias Pravinè. hamlet (868 m). a

above. You will then come to Gias Morteis Here take the road at the top of the (1482 m) which affords a splendid cemetery which leads to Tetti view and continue down the path Tancia. In Borgata Sottana turn left until you reach the Meschie hamlet onto an asphalt road and at the (1123 m). When you get here cross subsequent crossroads take a right the bridge on the right which takes turn and carry on down to Regione you to Truna village(1018 m) and Valcucca. Following the asphalt continuing on the path you reach the road you return to the point of Pradeboni hamlet (868 m). departure.

S. Giacomo di Boves Montefallonio

M. Bisalta Pradeboni M. Bisalta

o r a n a T e o i s e P e l l a V a t l A e l a r u t a N o c r a P tural roofingfeatures localarchitec- particular interestwiththeircharacteristic “tetti racchiusi” note; re Carthusianmonastery multiplying innumbers(wolf whicharenaturally new species(deerandroe)orbymonitoringspecies, whichthePark hashelpedtore-populatewiththeintegration of species, splendid Navetteforest(withitsLarchandSilverpinetrees). forestisonthe Tanaro riversideaswellthe Larzelle “pinus uncinata” programmes mountaineering nature trails, For furtherinformationaboutotheritineraries, has beensetupatthePark headquarters inChiusadiPesio. a PhotographyMuseumandmeetingroomforconventionsexhibitions, excursions eitherinoneormoredays withavariety of toenablethevisitortourbothsidesofmassif, refuges, ticular notebeingthesilverfirforestinP Ofpar- make rationaluseofthepreciouswoodresourcesthatitoffers. andtheCarthusianfriars wereinfactamongstthefirstto woodland, damp andcoolclimatehasfavouredthedevelopmentofmagnificent The aswell8endemicspecies. someofwhichareveryrare, rent species, species makingituniqueintheworldasboastsnolessthan1492diffe- fromPiaggiaBellatoFascette. Marguareis, fromCarseneto over 150kmextendingfromMiraudatoFascia, There arenolessthan700cavesoveratotalareaof entire protectedarea. These hydrogeologicalfeaturesarepresentalmostthroughoutthe caves. sence ofcalcareousrockhidesthepresenceawholenetworkkarst The pre- whichisthehighestpeakofLigurian Alps (2651m). Massif, ItislocatedaroundtheMarguareis 1978 andextendsfor6770hectares. 56 www 735166 734021-fax+39.0171. +39.0171. tel. V P ar ia Sant’Anna, ntrso rhtcua trcin theimposing andsomewhatauste- In termsofarchitecturalattraction, T T The areaischaracterisedbyavariety of Alpine andMediterraneanflora itwas setupin This isthemostsouthernprotectedareaofPiedmont: co Natur here isawholenetworkofpathsandequippedrouteshigh-altitude he areaisalsotheidealhabitatforalltypicalmountainwildlife .parks while inthe , .it/par summer andwinterexcursionspleasecontact: ale 34 -12013Chiusa di P Alta Valle Pesio e TanaroAlta VallePesio Tanaro valley thetraditionalhamletsofCarninoare chi.cuneesi -e-mail: TANARO E ALTA VALLE PESIO PARCO NATURALE NATURAL PARK PESIO ANDTANARO VALLEYSUPPER THE . , founded bySt. , black woodpecker). . T he esio (CN) “Centro Aldo Viglione”, which hosts which “Centro AldoViglione”, Brunone in1173, [email protected] esio v alley is ofparticular , while the

Parco Naturale Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro 58 59 In the Lower Valley Woodland The Marguareis Gorge

Description: Descrizione: A short and easy circuit in the vicini- From Pian delle Gorre you take the dirt ty of Pian delle Gorre. The refuge was road for about 2.5 km until you reach Departure point: Pian delle Gorre used during the winter of 1943/44 to Departure point: Pian delle Gorre a clearing, where you take a mule Arrival point: house a group of Partisans, and there Arrival point: Garelli refuge in track on the left as far as Gias Sottano Gias Sottano di Sestrera is a cemetery in the Carthusian Pian del Lupo di Sestrera (1331 m, 1 h). From here Gradient: 300 m monastery that commemorates the Gradient: 1000 m take the path on the right which takes Time required: 2 h

I war heroes. Time required: uphill only 2 h 45 you into the deep Marguareis gorge; n Degree of difficulty: From Pian delle Gorre (1032 m) follow min; round trip 5 h cross a small bridge and continue

t short and easy hike Degree of difficulty: h the dirt road and in a few minutes you through woodland and pastures as far Links to other routes: proceeding e will reach the bridge over Rio the itinerary is of medium length as Gias Sottano del Marguareis (1519 further it is possible to reach Cima L Serpentera with its characteristic and is fairly easy m). You will come to the detour for o Cars or the Garelli mountain refuge. Links to other routes: detour for w Access: waterfall. Immediately after this you Passo del Duca and then proceed

e Passo del Duca • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit take a mule track on the left that leads through the principal gorge beneath r

Access: Mondovì; proceed in the direc- into a beech and fir tree forest. The the imposing north-east slope of V visitor will immediately be struck by • from Turin: Scarason. You reach Gias Soprano del a tion of Mondovì and on the SP e

l see previous route the pungent smell of garlic. After Marguareis (1721 m, 2 h) and the g

l 564 del Monregalese road as far r e negotiating a few bends you will be • from Cuneo: delightful small Marguareis Lake o y as Beinette. Take the SP 42

towards Chiusa Pesio, and climb afforded a magnificent view of the see previous route (1923 m) near the “Danilo Re” G W

the valley up to the Carthusian grassy plain of Pian del Creus, with the Alpine Botanical centre, at the foot of s i o e

o monastery, from which you reach Villa Soche refuge on the right (1293 the Genovesi gully. The path conti- r d

Pian delle Gorre by car on an m, 45 min), a privately owned hostel nues to the left and takes you to the a l u a asphalt road (3 km). also known as Rifugio Cacciatori Garelli refuge in Pian del Lupo (1965 g n

• from Cuneo: SP 564 del r

d “hunting refuge”. The route continues m, 2 h 45 min). a Monregalese road as far as and in about 3 hours you will reach To complete the round trip, on

Beinette. Then follow like above. M

Cima del Cars (2204 m). return it is possible to descend From the Villa Soche refuge, take a directly along the sign posted route e h

right turn along an easy route that that goes through Gias Soprano T takes you to Gias Sottano di Sestrera and Gias Sottano di Sestrera right (1331 m, 30 min). From here you can up to Pian delle Gorre. return to Pian delle Gorre in about 30 minutes. In this part of the route it is also possible to admire the two Saut waterfalls.

Pian delle Gorre Pian delle Gorre

Rif. Garelli Gias Sestrera 60

Cima Marguareis (2651 m) The Ligurian Alps Peak

Descrizione: It is an easy, yet memorable itinera- ry. Cross the village of Carnino Departure point: Carnino Superiore (1397 m) and then after the bridge, Arrival point: Marguareis peak continue through the terraced Gradient: 1254 m fields, climbing uphill until you Time required: only uphill: reach a fountain. From here in a 4 h; round trip 7 h leftward direction the mule track Degree of difficulty: enters the Gola delle Chiusette the route covers a long distance and (1815 m). Proceeding past the ravi- is of medium difficulty C Links to other routes: detour for ne you reach Gias delle Selle di i m Passo delle Mastrelle, Piaggia Bella, Carnino (1913 m) and the St. a Colle del Pas Domenico Chapel.

M Access: Proceeding through fields and • from Turin: A6 motorway exit Ceva; pasturelands you will reach the a r proceed along the main road 28 in renovated Don Barbera refuge g

u the direction of , Ormea as (2079 m) in the vicinity of the a far as the Ponte di Nava village. From Signori Pass on the Italian-French r e here proceed along the SP 154 to border. The former Limone-Monesi i s Viozene-Upega until you reach the military road crosses the pass detour for Carnino. (known as Via Marenga). A sign • from Cuneo: SP 564 del Monregalese posted path leads from the pass, road and then take the A6 motorway and takes you through a typical in Mondovì. Exit at Ceva and follow Karst environment up to the Col de like above. la Galine (2358 m). From here fol- low the sign posted path on the right until you come to the cross on the peak (2651 m). Follow the same path for the descent.

C. Marguareis

Carnino

i s e l a g e r n o M i l l a V a n a t n o M à t i n u m o C whose themesareoftenbasedonthelocalhistory and ethnographicmuseums V historic churches(The Sanctuary-BasilicaReginaMontisRegalisin Sanctuary probably existedinthevicinityofpresentdaySantaLucia whereaburialground sites inbothMontaldoand Villanova Mondovì, 62 such astheLisetsourceinSanGiacomodiRoburent, Nottomentionthemineralwater springs, my andcraftsmanship. and Nordicskiingice-skating(MondoléSkiF asthese valleys boastavariety ofmodernfacilitiesfor Alpine sports, includingwinter there arealsoahostofsportingopportunities, kestrel andgoldeneagle. sparrowhawk, buzzard, harrier eagle, higheraltitudesitispossibletoseebirdssuchasthe “bread tree”.At andinfactisknownlocallyasthe the localeconomysinceoldtimes, guished bythechestnuttreewhichhasplayedanimportantrolein CaudanoandDossi. thoseofBossea, the public: host ofkarsticlandformsandtherearecurrentlythreecavesopento The areafeaturesa MaudagnaandEllero. Corsaglia, Roburentello, Casotto, ginated bytherespectivestreamsofsamename: of tel. e-mail: www.vallimonregalesi.it 12080 1/d Via MondovìPiazza, Comunità Montana summerandwinter excursionspleasecontact: programmes, mountaineering naturetrails, For furtherinformation aboutotheritineraries, icoforte beingparticularlyworthyofavisit), V The areaalsooffersarichprogrammeoflocalfestivals andevents, T aiu ie r osbea ohmdu n ihattd,and Various hikes arepossibleatbothmediumandhighaltitude, theareaisdistin- Other thantypicalmountainvegetativespecies, The ComunitàMontana Valli Monregalesiconsistsof5valleys ori- he areaalsobearstestimonytoitsprehistoricroots icoforte andtheLurisiaspringsinRoccaforteMondovì. +39.0174.563307 -fax+39.0174.569465 V turistico@vallimonr icoforte (CN) . The artloverisspoiltforchoicethankstoahostofdifferent Comunità Montana VALLI MONREGALESI V alli Monr . egalesi.it egalesi as wellquainthamlets , culture rabosa Ski). andthereare , the , gastrono- “W aters”

Comunità Montana Valli Monregalesi 64 65 At the Sources of the Ellero Stream The Brignola and Raschera Lakes

Description: Description: The route from Ponte Murato (1242 Starting from the Balma plateau m) proceeds along the asphalt road, (1883 m) take the mule track that Departure point: Roccaforte an hour’s walk approximately, follo- Departure point: winds through fields and bushes, Mondovì - Ponte Murato wed by a part on a dirt road. Skirting - - La Balma refuge until you reach the base of the calca- Arrival point: Mondovì refuge - the Ellero stream, you come to Ponte Arrival point: Raschera Lake reous rock known as “Dente del Havis de Giorgio Ciappa (1624 m) and the extensive Gradient: see “description” Seirasso”. Following the route Gradient: 540 m Piano della Marchisa (1631 m) which Time required: uphill only 3 h, alongside the Brignola stream, you Time required: 2 h is crossed, always keeping to the round trip 5 h 30 min come to the homonymous Sella Degree of difficulty: easy main road. The road is carriageable Degree of difficulty: medium (1930 m). After two hairpin bends Links to other routes: up to this point, but after this it is Links to other routes: climb to the track becomes a path and cros- G.T.A route (Porta Sestrera and sometimes rough and therefore not Bocchino dell’Aseo, to Monte ses the basin of the Brignola Lakes. A Garelli and Mongioie refuges) suitable for normal cars. This extensi-

The main lake (2131 m) is partially s

t Mongioie, link with Val Corsaglia

ve plain provides a view of the e

Access: t Access: covered by lake vegetation and sur- k h • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit Mondovì refuge (1761 m), at the

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit rounded by fields and rhododendron a e source of the Ellero stream, against

Mondovì. From Mondovì proceed L

bushes.

S Mondovì. From Mondovì proceed in the direction of Villanova the imposing backdrop of the rocky a o Continue along the path that climbs slopes of and Cima in the direction of Villanova r u Mondovì until you reach in a south-easterly direction and arri- e r Mondovì until you reach Frabosa

Roccaforte Mondovì. Proceed Pian Ballaur. h c

ve at Bocchino della Brignola (2256 c

e Sottana. Proceed uphill towards

uphill as far as Borgata Rastello The refuge acts as a starting point for s s

Prato Nevoso and then continue by m) from where it is possible to see a and then crossing the bridge a host of different hikes and climbs o car to the La Balma refuge (1883 “Punta dello Zucco” and Monte R f over the Ellero stream, proceed (Cima delle Saline, Mongioie, Havis

Antoroto looking eastwards. From d t along the asphalt road for a few De Giorgio, Pian Ballaur, Mongioie). m). It is possible to park your car on h This route takes you along the old the clearing surrounding the refuge here you then descend towards a n e kilometres. You will firstly come a

“Via del Sale”, which was in past green basin, down gentle hairpin E and the chapel.

to the Casa del Sale hamlet, and a l l times used as a trading link between • from Cuneo: take the SP 564 del bends. After negotiating a ridge, you l

proceeding along the winding o e can see the northern slope of Monte

the Piedmont mountain zones and n r road you come to Ponte Murato Monregalese road as far as Pianfei o the Ligurian coast. The Romans Mongioie and, by continuing the g and then SP 37 road to Frabosa i (1242 m), where you can park r S your car in the clearing on the already built this road known as Via Sottana. Then follow like above. descent by means of the sign posted t st B r left before the bridge. Pompea, in the 1 century B.C. track, you will reach the Raschera e e

a Lake (2108 m), from which the deli- • from Cuneo: SP 564 del h m Monregalese road as far as Pianfei cious locally produced P.D.O. cheese T and SP 37 road to Villanova and takes its name. Roccaforte Mondovì. Follow like above.

Ponte Murato R. Balma

R. Mondovì Lago della Raschera 66 Tour of the Community Ovens

Description: This route combines both features of scenic interest and those of historic- Departure / arrival point: architectural importance. The ovens Pra di Roburent were in fact owned by the entire com- Gradient: +/- 450 m munity and used for baking bread, and Time required: 3 h 45 min are distinguished by the local architectu- Degree of difficulty: medium ral roofing feature called “a tetto rac- Links to other routes: chiuso”. it is possible to climb to Monte From the square of the Pra parish Alpet from Prà di Roburent. church (1014 m) take the asphalt road Access: in an easterly direction, and when you • From Turin: A6 motorway, exit reach a crossroads, turn left onto a dirt . Proceed in the direc- track and proceed on until you reach T

o tion of San Michele Mondovì on the next crossroads. Take the road on u the SP 60 road and then take the the right, and going round some hairpin r st

crossroads to Corsaglia valley. bends go up to Case Barberis (1 oven - o

f 3 km after Corsaglia turn left and 1300 m). Proceed midway up the slope

nd t you reach Prà di Roburent, leaving as far as Case Ferrere (2 oven - 1261 m) h your car in the local parish church and then on to Case Gore (3rd oven - 1259 e

square. m).After a further 150 m the road slopes C

o • From Cuneo: SP 564 del back across a hairpin bend in a norther- m Monregalese road as far as ly direction and descends to Case Roarin m Mondovì and then the SS 28 road (4th oven - 1177 m). Continuing in the u to San Michele Mondovì. Follow same direction and leaving the hairpin n like above. bend that turns to the left, you reach i t Case Bertolotti (5th oven - 1149 m). From y

here you descend to the first crossroads, O and always keeping to the right, you will v

e come to the main dirt road that leads to n Prà di Roburent. s If you take a left turn at this crossroads you will reach Case Funde (6th oven - 1091 m) and proceeding on the dirt road you come to Case Potitta (7th oven - 1218 m). From here you return to Case Funde. After leaving the crossroads on the right take again the road to Pra.

Prà di Roburet 68 Comunità Montana VALLI MONGIA, CEVETTA E LANGA CEBANA

The area of the Comunità Montana Valli Mongia, Cevetta e Langa Cebana is situated in the south-eastern part of the province. It bor- ders with the upper Tanaro valley and Liguria to the south, while the extensive hilly tract extends in the northern area, which follows the

C course of the Tanaro river and reaches Alba. The area also features a . M the presence of a further two streams that give their names to the n a .

respective valleys: Mongia and Cevetta. b V Ceva, the main town of the area is situated at the valley bottom, e a C l and it is particularly famed for its local mushrooms which are cele- l a i

brated each September with a greedy regional festival. The area was g M n

also mentioned way back at the time of Pliny by virtue of the deli- a o L n

cious local cheese production. At one time Ceva boasted an imposing g e

Savoy fortress, which was however destroyed in the era of the i a a t

, Napoleonic domination. The old town centre, with its quaint arcade-

t C

covered streets, is dominated by the 14th century Guelph tower of e e v

v Brolio. e e C

t Other areas of particular interest include the castles of ,

, t

a (which houses a museum dedicated to Napoleon), Sale a i e

S. Giovanni and the Medieval tower of . In the Mongia valley, g

n L the town of Viola is a summer and winter resort. While in o a

n - in the upper Cevetta valley, where the Regional M g Honey Festival is held every July – you can find the tourist centre of i a l l

the Belbo Sources Natural Reserve. This splendid protected area is C a

e also a rare example of a mid-mountain altitude marsh area, and V b

offers a host of delightful itineraries both on foot, by mountain-bike . a n

or on horseback, amongst the wood covered hillside and marshy M . a

zones. An area of special natural interest is the Prandi Arboretum, in C the Schioda locality, near Sale S.Giovanni, consisting of approximate- ly 12 hectares of land cultivated with both trees and grass varieties of particular botanical and environmental interest.

For further information about other itineraries, nature trails, mountaineering programmes, summer and winter excursions please contact:

Comunità Montana Valli Mongia, Cevetta e Langa Cebana Via Case Rosse, 1 (Loc. San Bernardino) 12073 Ceva (CN) tel. +39.0174.705600 - fax +39.0174.705645 www.vallinrete.it - e-mail: [email protected] 70 71 Prato Rotondo Pass

tion. Ignore the first uphill turning on Description: the right and turn left a little further on: The starting point of this route is indi- at the end of the short downhill cated near the chapel of St. Caterina Departure / arrival point: Viola descent you will see an aqueduct col- (in via Crivella). Take the dirt track on Gradient: 300 m lection tank. your right and proceed into the woo- Time required: 1 h Proceed walking under the water stora- dland. Go past the Crivella stream and Degree of difficulty: challenging, ge tank, keeping to the left of the after about 1.8 km, you get onto a both due to its length and gradient. Farinasso stream.A further ten minutes, forest path and you continue climbing Access: and you will reach the Mongia river the north-eastern slope of Piano Stope • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit bed, cross it and then proceed in a nor- (1738 m). On reaching the zone Niella Tanaro. Proceed along the thward direction on a dirt road. You will known as “Acquafredda”, the route SP 60 in the direction of Prata skirt a drying shed on your left and branches off to the south, it skirts the and take the SP 28 to come out onto a clearing of beaten Mombasiglio. Proceed along the peak of Bric Muceretti and reaches earth. There is a signpost indicating a SP 34 road that leads to Viola. the eastern ridge of the same, also naturalist route that takes you to the • From Cuneo: take the SP 564 del providing a formidable scenic view (at Rocca dei Corvi, along the path you will Monregalese road and enter the a height of 1560 m, which is the maxi-

P see a series of explanatory panels pro- mum altitude reached in the present A6 motorway in Mondovì. Exit at s r viding details of the trees and minerals s a Niella Tanaro and follow like itinerary): you will have a magnificent a t present in the area. view of Bric del Prato Rotondo and to P o above.

You will descend into dense woodland, the south, on the horizon you can see o R until you reach a clearing where a the Bric Mindino peak, with its cha- d o

white boulder offers a wonderful pano- n t racteristic cross. o ramic view over the valley and the o t n Proceeding towards the valley you go o d Rocca dei Corvi which rises from the past a building used by the “Margari” R o

stream water. Proceed downhill and

(local shepherds) and go past the o P when the path enters a cart road, in Mongia stream. Just ahead of the brid- t a

the vicinity of a hairpin bend, proceed a s

ge there is a famous spring. Following r s to the right and return onto the P the cart road you come to the Prato asphalt road of Crivella, near St. Rotondo pass, which branches off into Caterina chapel. various directions: it is necessary to However we advise you to make a proceed north in the direction of the short detour continuing into the woo- woodland.You will skirt the Mongia for dland on the left. You will thereby a few hundred centimetres, then the reach a clearing where you can see path turns in a north-eastern direction the remains of an old coal bunker. The and climbs slightly. path leading towards the valley reaches After passing a rocky spur the path the Mongia river bed, from where it is begins to descend in an easterly direc- possible to see a series of small lakes, waterfalls and the imposing Rocca dei Corvi. This is the start of a Via Ferrata (fixed rope route), accessible only if you are provided with sling, helmet and crampon (equipment which may, if Viola necessary, be hired from the Bar Sporting in Viola S. Giorgio) and which links up with the path further up. 72 73 The Belbo Sources Nature Trail

Description: Description: The Belbo sources naturalist route, The route unwinds through the unwinds for a distance of about woods that cover the Ceva Langa Departure point/arrival: three kilometres, and begins from Departure point/arrival: zone between the and Montezemolo the Bucciardina hamlet, along the Igliano villages. This walk is gentle Gradient: 100 m road that descends from Gradient: 100 m and therefore suitable for the whole Time required: 1 h Montezemolo to . Take the Time required: 1 h family. Degree of difficulty: easy path that takes you, through cultiva- Degree of difficulty: easy The “pietra dell’Appuntamento” Links to other routes: ted fields, to an extensive woodland Link to other routes: (meeting stone in the woods) - on path to the Colle della Madonna stretch, featuring many of the tree the 3 routes called “Art” ,“ Culture”, the road that links Igliano to Access: and shrub varieties present in the “History” that extend over the Torresina - is considered the starting entire local area. • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit Reserve. point of this pleasant walk, ideal for Access: Ceva. Take the SP 460 that leads The walk ends at the Pilone del those who appreciate uncontami- • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit Niella to Montezemolo. Foresto where you come out of the nated nature and enjoy a relaxing Tanaro. Take the SP 314 road to • from Cuneo: SP 564 del wood at a point that offers a won- walk at the same time. A refreshing and proceed along Monregalese road and then take derful scenic view over the walk in a landscape that reconciles the SP 115 road that leads to Igliano.

T the A6 motorway in Mondovì. Exit valley on one side and over the Belbo with nature and gives you a chance • from Cuneo: SP 564 del h at Ceva and follow like above. valley on the other. to appreciate its complex structure

e Monregalese road, then take motor- l in its simplest expression. i

B way A6 in Mondovì. Exit at Niella

The Monasterola Fountain and the a e Tanaro and follow like above. r l

b Bosco Grande Fountain may be T o

taken as the mid-way point of this e

r S delightful route that can be easily u o t

u covered in under 1 hour and with a r no particular gradients. c N e The Nature Trail is also a good s opportunity to link up with other routes in the area that interconnect and extend over the surrounding hillside.

Sorgenti del Belbo Igliano Torresina Montezemolo

o r a n a T l a V a t l A a n a t n o M à t i n u m o C infoturismo Castle in e.+907.071-fx+907.803714 +39.0174.806721-fax+39.0174. tel. 74 w.aesont-emi:[email protected] www.garessio.net -e-mail: +39.0174.805670 -fax+39.0174.805671 tel. 135-12075Garessio(CN) Piazza Carrara, Gar V Ormea TouristBoard www.cmaltavaltanaro.it V ValMontana Alta Comunità Tanaro datingback tothe11 Martino, entrance istobefoundinthebell-towerofParrochiale diS. The oldtown throughout thetownmadefromlocalblackmarble. today renownedforthepresenceofhighlyoriginalmodernstatues (typicalLigurianalleys)anditis of Ormeafeaturestheso-called “trevi” family in1837becomingacourtlysummerresidence Carthusian monasteryandsubsequentlypassedintothehandsofSavoy programmes mountaineering naturetrails, For furtherinformationaboutother itineraries, such astheSora, mountainpotatoesandexcellentcheeses dishes asSaracenpolenta, remains ofancientSaracentowers P ture anduniqueatmosphere. V make yourway slowlythroughaseriesof oldvillagessuchasBriga Alta, Itispossibleto which insomeplacesopenoutontoglimpsesofthesea. stillremaintobeexplored. manyofwhich, network ofundergroundcaves, becauseoftheirimpressive and arehighlypopularamongspelaelogists, horizon oncleardays fromthesepeaksitispossibletoseetheseaon and thePizzod’Ormea: theMongioie theCimadelleSaline, of 2651misthehighestinarea), Mediterranean species. whichincludeboth Alpine and Alpine chainfeaturestypicalfloravarieties, The mostlybelongtoPiedmont. theirname, despite Ligurian Alps which, ro PriolaorOrmeayouwillseeoldcastleremainstogetherwiththe erlo, oeeadUea–wt hi ihatetcapn itr,taiin cul- tradition, iozene andUpega–withtheirrichauthenticalpinehistory, aOma 27 re C)-tl/a 3.0174.392157 3-12078Ormea (CN)-tel./fax+39. ia Ormea, ia alSantuario, Between onew andenjoymagnificentviews It ispossibletoenjoyhikingatalllevels, The mainmountainsintheareaareMarguareis(whichataheight The areaoftheComunitàMontana Alta Val Tanaro isdominatedbythe essio V T .avt@liber al Casottowhichw ourist Boar summerandwinterexcursionspleasecontact: , ALTA VALTANARO Comunità Montana alk andanotheryoushouldnotmissavisittotheRoyal 2 -12078Garessio(CN) the OrmeaandalpinepastureRaschera o.it These mountainshaveaparticulardolomiticshape, . d - -al [email protected] e-mail: as firstfoundedinthe12 th etr.WhetheryouvisitNucetto, century. . The localrestaurantsoffersuch . T he oldtowncentre th century asa .

Comunità Montana Alta Val Tanaro 76 77

The Ormea Balcony (First stage) The Saracen Tower of Barchi

Description: Description: The “Balcony” route for which we The Saracen Tower of Barchi dates are describing the first stage is a back to the 11th century. It is unclear Departure point: naturalist and ethnographic route of Starting point: Ormea whether it was actually erected by Eca (Ormea hamlet) 40 km that links the 8 hamlets of Arrival point: Saracen tower the Saracen invaders or whether Arrival point: Ormea starting from Eca and arriving Gradient: 300 m it was built as an anti-Saracen Albra (Ormea hamlet) in Viozene. The route is marked with Time required: 3 h 30 min watchtower. Gradient: 410 m white and red painted notches, with Degree of difficulty: medium Time required: round trip 3 h 45 min From Ormea (739 m) you reach the Links to other routes: Degree of difficulty: medium the initials B.O. (Balconata Ormea). bridge called Ponte dei Sospiri that from Barchi to Garessio Links to other routes: From the San Giacomo church the crosses the Tanaro river, proceed Access: Albra - Villaro route climbs westerly and enters the past it and turn left to reach the • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit Access: heart of the woodland. When you Ponte S. Pietro. From here you pro- T Ceva. Proceed along the SS 28 to reach a crossroads, turn right and h • from Turin: A6 motorway, exit ceed along a dirt road and go past , Garessio and Ormea. e Ceva. Proceed on the main road you will reach a dirt track. Turn left, the Ormea paper mill until you

• from Cuneo: take the SP 564 del i O 28 for Nucetto, Garessio and go past a small brook and on the reach the San Bernardo mineral h Monregalese and then take the c r Ormea until you come to Nasagò right, always uphill, you will reach

water factory. Once again, on r m motorway A6 in Mondovì. Exit at hamlet. Follow the municipal the houses of Vacieu. The road conti- asphalt road you come to Barchi. a e Ceva and follow like above. road to Eca and go past the S. B a nues, it skirts a fountain with pond When you enter the village centre f Libera hamlet, when you reach B and then turns to the left and enters you reach the brook and then conti- o

a the second hairpin bend, turn left

a small wood, going past a small nue uphill following the road on the r l

towards the San Giacomo village. e c spring (do not turn off either to the right of the brook (which turns into o You may park near the San w n right or left). a dirt road after the cemetery) to a o Giacomo church, the starting y T

You ford two small brooks and reach point of the itinerary. bridge that takes you to the opposi- Borgata Cariò. Proceed uphill until te bank. Turn left and you come to n

• from Cuneo: SP 564 del e

Monregalese road and then take you reach the dirt road which from the Zitta village, continue downhill c a

the motorway A6 in Mondovì. Albra climbs to the Zotto dei Girini until you come to a drying oven and r Exit at Ceva and follow like farmhouses. Turn left and continue then turn right. You then cover a a S

above. downhill until you come to a hairpin short wooded section before you e

bend and enter the wood towards come to the rocky outcrop featuring h

the small hamlet cemetery. You come the Tower (893 m). T to a bridge and a paved mule track For the return we advise you to follow that descends towards the Albra the path that descends right at the last houses. Return back along the out- deviation. After a few bends you will ward route. come to the Barchi houses and from here you return to Ormea on the same route as the outward journey.

Eca Albra Ormea Torre di Saraceni 78 79 The Grotta delle Vene Path

Description: The itinerary extends over the terri- tory of the Parco Naturale Alta Valle Arrival point: Mongioie refuge Pesio e Tanaro and the route featu- Gradient: 360 m res a series of illustrative informa- Time required: round trip 3 h tion panels (naturalist and ethno- Degree of difficulty: easy graphic). The cave called Grotta Links to other routes: Via Vittorio Amedeo II, 8 A from the Mongioie refuge to Monte delle Vene forms part of the imposing 12100 Cuneo Mongioie and Viozene (Ormea karst systems, which is in fact one of

T hamlet). the largest in Europe. The Mongioie tel. +39.0171.690217 h Access: refuge is open continuously from fax +39.0171.602773 e

• from Turin: A6 motorway, exit May to September and at weekends G Ceva. Proceed along the SS 28

r during other periods of the year. o road to Nucetto, Garessio and From the S. Rocco church in Carnino [email protected] t t Pornassino. Proceed along the SP Inferiore (1387 m) take a paved www.cuneoholiday.com a

154 road until you reach Carnino mule track which ascends amongst d www.autunnocongusto.com Inferiore (part of the e the houses (G.T.A. trail sign). l hamlet). l

e Continue through the woods until you

• from Cuneo: SP 564 del

V reach Tetti delle Donzelle (1540 m). Monregalese road and then take e From here in a south-easterly direc- n the A6 motorway in Mondovì. Exit

e tion turn right until you reach the at Ceva and follow like above.

P Carnino Pass (1597 m). The route a now turns north beneath the Rocce t h del Manco and then turning east, crosses the Rio delle Vene, with its TEXTS delightful Tibetan bridge, that Written by the A.T.L. del Cuneese emerges from the cave of the same in accordance with the suggestions name. A lengthy diagonal section of the Comunità Montane and the on a grassy slope brings you to the Natural Parks. Mongioie Refuge (1550 m). Return PHOTOS along the same outward route. Archives: A.T.L. del Cuneese, Comunità Montane, Natural Parks, Espaci Occitan - Stefano Beccio, Accompagnatori Naturalistici e MTB Alpi Liguri

GRAPHICS AND PRINTING Alma Tipografica s.r.l. tel. +39.0174.698335 fax +39.0174.698466 Rifugio Mongioie www.almatipografica.com Carnino INFO A.T.L. Azienda Turistica Locale del Cuneese Via Vittorio Amedeo II, 8 A - 12100 Cuneo TEL. +39.0171.690217 - FAX +39.0171.602773 [email protected] www.cuneoholiday.com - www.autunnocongusto.com

OLIMPICA (TURIN CUNEO LEVALDIGI) AIRPORT TEL. +39.0172.374374 - FAX +39.0172.374300 [email protected] - www.aeroporto.cuneo.it

HOTEL INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS CONITOURS - CUNEO TEL. +39.0171.698749 - FAX +39.0171.435728 - [email protected] CONS. ALTA VAL TANARO TURISMO - GARESSIO TEL. +39.347.9156791 - FAX +39.0174.81981 - [email protected] CONS. TUR. ALPI DEL MARE - MONDOVÌ TEL. +39.0174.569016 - FAX +39.0174.565928 - [email protected] TERRE DI EMOZIONI - FRABOSA SOTTANA TEL./FAX +39.0174.244118 - TEL. +39.389.9926783 - [email protected] TURGRANDA - CUNEO TEL. +39.0171.697668 - FAX +39.0171.699224 - [email protected] V.A.L. B&B - CUNEO TEL. +39.0171.437220 - TEL. +39.347.7730489 - [email protected] VENUS VIAGGI - CUNEO TEL. +39.0171.696256 - FAX +39.0171.698730 - [email protected]

Supplemento a “Turismo Cuneese” n. 15/2006 - Trimestrale dell’A.T.L. del Cuneese Registrazione presso il Tribunale di Cuneo n. 537 - Direttore Responsabile: Paolo Bongioanni.