Three walks in the Piedmont mountains between Valle Gesso and Valle Stura to go trekking and discover splendid landscapes. Read the post and book your holiday in the mountains.
As a young girl I borrowed a book from the library that comes to mind every time I leave for the mountains. Years have passed, but one of the stories of the Austrian Adalbert Stifter has remained with me as if I had read it yesterday. Is called Rock crystal and tells of two children, a brother and a sister, who are stranded by a snow storm on top of a mountain hill. It is a dark story, which speaks of mistrust and isolation and that comes with goosebumps in the description of the hours spent on the glacier by the two children with little food, no shelter and little hope.
I don't want to tell the ending in case someone is interested in finding out for themselves how the two brothers end up, but since then the mountain has always inspired me a certain fear. It can be spectacular, but in no time it can become ruthless and inhospitable. For this, the important thing is approach the mountain with respect and knowing your limits. In addition to thesuitable equipment and a small supply of food and drink. My skills and my very poor sports preparation do not allow me to face challenging peaks: I prefer quiet walks, even if tiring.
I live just over an hour from the mountains and the Piedmontese valleys offer a wide choice for those who decide to spend a weekend in the mountains. There are in particular three places that I know well and that can be tackled with a minimum of training.
Ellena-Soria Refuge, Valle Gesso
La Gesso Valley, in the Maritime Alps, takes its name from the Gesso stream. You arrive by car up to San Giacomo di Entracque, then you start the walk towards the guesthouse of the Parco delle Alpi Marittime.
The first section is practically flat and crosses a beech forest with a view of a waterfall. Up to altitude 1.400 meters the climb is gradual and not very tiring, up to the point where the series of hairpin bends that leads to the Praiet floor begins. From here, a last effort allows you to reach the Ellena-Soria refuge, at an altitude of 1.840 meters. After almost two hours of walking you can rest inside the refuge, where there are also about fifty beds, or have a packed lunch overlooking the Praiet plain.
On the way back, the ideal way to end the day is a stop at the Royal Baths of Valdieri with a dip in the pool or a massage in the sweat caves.
Sant'Anna lakes, Stura Valley
We move to the neighbor Stura Valley, between the Maritime Alps and the Cottian Alps. You pass Vinadio and after a couple of kilometers you will find, on the left, the deviation for Sant'Anna. You leave your car in the parking lot near the sanctuary of the same name which is worth a visit because it holds the distinction of the highest sanctuary in Europe: it is located at over 2.000 meters above sea level and was built on a stone, which explains the inclination of the “uphill” floor.
Leaving the sanctuary behind, we walk along the military road until you reach the first lake. From here the path begins to climb up to the Sant'Anna hill, marked with two crosses. A little further on the downhill path begins, dotted with barracks and forts, up to the Lausfer Soprano lake. There are no refuges or refreshment points, so it is advisable to stop here to refresh and rest a little before climbing towards the Saboulé hill. Also pay attention to where you put your feet, because near the Tesina pass, the mule track continues along a precipice. Little by little the landscape becomes less austere, until you reach the small lake and the large lake of Sant'Anna. A little more effort and you return to the starting point, after having covered almost ten kilometers in just under three hours.
On the way back, a stop at the patisserie Agnello di Demonte it will allow you to recover the energy consumed with some cream puffs and a coffee.
Migliorero Refuge, Stura Valley
It still stays in Stura Valley for the last excursion to Migliorero Refuge. It is possible to reach the hamlet of Bagni di Vinadio by car, where you can stock up on sandwiches and chocolate. By car, continue to the hamlet of Besmorello. At a certain point you will find a chain blocking the dirt road: from here the walking path begins which after an average slope and several hairpin bends leads to the Pisciai waterfall. From here continue along the path to the Ischiator stream, from where you can already see the Migliorero refuge, right on top of the summit at 2.100 meters. It is possible to pass the night here, or stock up on sandwiches to eat on the shores of the Ischiator lake before heading back to the base.
On your return, you can take advantage of the sun and the heat to take a dip in the swimming pool of the Hotel Corborant in Bagni di Vinadio, also open to the public.
The mountain is undoubtedly spectacular, but it can suddenly become unforgiving and inhospitable. She is a majestic creature who always reminds us not to delude ourselves to be able to conquer her: we can only touch her peaks if she allows us to do so.
