Hiking
mountaineering enthusiasts find very favorable terrain in Valle Gesso: All the main peaks of the Maritime Alps, from Argentera to Gelas, can be climbed along normal routes of limited effort. The Corno Stella is an exception
A much appreciated itinerary for its low traffic (except on Sundays in July and August) and the beauty of the environment, is the one that climbs to the Terme di Valdieri. The route is very pleasant: the provincial road runs through the entire valley floor, up to San Lorenzo di Valdieri, and then tackles a stretch with more pronounced slopes but which in any case require limited physical effort. San Giacomo di Entracque is also an advisable destination. The route develops on medium slopes, the road bottom is good; the only drawback is the limited width of the carriageway: it is better to avoid this route on Sundays in the height of summer. A very interesting ring winds between the Gesso and Stura Valleys, which crosses the coastal watershed at the Madonna del Colletto. Marked by fairly steep slopes, it is generally traveled in the direction of Borgo San Dalmazzo Valdieri Bestiona Borgo San Dalmazzo. In 1999 the hill was crossed in the opposite direction by the Giro d'Italia. With the mountain bike the most classic itinerary of the Gesso Valley is the one that goes up to the Valscura lakes. It starts from the Baths and follows a former military road, with a bumpy bottom that makes both the ascent and the descent rather tiring. A respectable intermediate destination is the Piano del Valasco.
CYCLING AND CLIMBING
Mountaineering and climbing
Starting altitude (m): 1350
maximum altitude (m): 2420
overall height difference (m): 1550
Length (km): 34
mobile network coverage
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starting point: Terme di Valdieri (Valdieri, CN)
support points: Ref. This, Casa Caccia Valasco
bibliography: Mountain biking on the alpine military roads by Guido Ragazzini Mulatero / 1991 editions
technical notes:
It is a tour for amateurs, with a lot of portage, long crossings at high altitude, and certainly not descents on single track billiards: the environment is however of exceptional beauty, and at least once the famous paved mule track of Valscura must be traveled in the saddle !
Expect 6-7 hours, of which 2 and a half-3 by pushing or carrying the mtb. In the opposite direction, cycling is even less.
Itinerary description:
From Terme di Valdieri go up on asphalt first and then dirt up to Pian della Casa, where you leave the road, which ends shortly after, to take, on the left, the mule track towards the Ciriegia, Fremamorta and Colletto del Valasco hills (ignore the first detour, at Gias delle Mosche, to the lakes of Fremamorta). A few meters in the saddle and then there is no story: push or shoulder, you practically no longer pedal to Lake Superiore di Fremamorta (every now and then 50 meters in the saddle give an illusion of pedaling ..), which can be reached by following the main track, well marked, which leaves first the mule track for Colle Ciriegia, then the path for Colle di Fremamorta and finally the track towards the middle lake.
Arriving near Lake Superiore, you join the former military trailer Valscura-Fremamorta, which you follow to the right, with some ups and downs and a last ramp, very stony, which leads to the Colletto del Valasco. All that remains is to descend, practically all in the saddle on a very loose surface, up to the junction with the path that descends directly to Valasco via Valle Morta, where you start to climb again, a little in the saddle and a lot on foot, along what remains of the military, reduced to a path (and sometimes I miss that). Ignored the junction for the Refuge This, you continue meeting shortly thereafter the most spectacular stretch, the perfect paving, in excellent condition and 100% cycle path. Once on a hill a little higher than the lower Valscura Lake, all that remains is to jump downhill along the military road, sliding at the top and very, very bumpy at the bottom (between the upper floor of the Valasco and the Terme the road is very degraded , and without a full house it's really hard).
The path in the opposite direction is also possible; with a difference in height of about 1300 m. and a cycle path, both uphill and downhill, equal to 80%.
From Terme di Valdieri on a dirt road you reach the beautiful Pian Valasco where the Valasco refuge, former Royal Hunting House, stands, 1764 m .; continue on the dirt road that, after the plateau, with a series of hairpin bends and sections that are not always easy, even for some small landslides, reaches the Lower Lake of Valscura.
From the lake, turning to its left, continue on a stretch that is not very easy to cycle and go up to a pass; after a short descent you continue on a stretch where the mule track becomes a perfect and spectacular pavement.
We then arrive at the lake of Claus; a little further downhill, you come to a crossroads and continue, some short stretches are not very suitable for cycling, on a dirt road, which crosses the lower part of the beautiful Vallone del Prefouns, up to a crossroads at an altitude of 2169 m. approximately.
From this point, turn right and go up, cycling and non-cycling sections alternate, at the Valasco pass 2429 m .; from here downhill to the lake of Fremamorta.
A little beyond some barracks, turn left and take the path that descends into the Valletta Valley.
The initially cycle path gradually becomes difficult, sections in S2 and S3, and it is necessary on several occasions to accompany the mtb to get to the Gias delle Mosche. Then on an easy dirt road you return to Terme di Valdieri.
Valdieri - 1390m (0.5 km)
Chiotas Dam - 2020m (7.1 km)
Itineraries in the surroundings.
Valasco (Colletto del) from Terme di Valdieri, ring for the lakes of Fremamorta and Valscura - (0 km)
Claus (Lago del) and Valscura Lakes from Terme di Valdieri, descent from Rifugio questo - (0 km)
Druos (Bassa del) - Colle di Fremamorta around from Terme di Valdieri - (0 km)
Fat tire enthusiasts will find a wide range of day trips in the valleys of the Park. Kilometers of tracks and paths for cycling immersed in an extraordinary nature, between valleys and plateaus that bear deeply engraved traces of the modeling carried out over the centuries by generations of mountaineers. Some of the itineraries proposed here wind along cycle paths and secondary roads with little traffic, ideal for families and beginners. The high-altitude destinations, reserved for the most experienced and trained cyclists, follow the famous “king's paths”, mule tracks and ex-military roads, military engineering masterpieces that climb towards the great spaces of the Maritime Alps, penetrating their deepest and wildest soul.
Valdieri - Roaschia - Valdieri
Distance: 14 km (round trip); difference in height: 200 m; difficulty: easy
A ride on a dirt road along the river and through the Reserve of the Bandito Caves, famous for the findings of the remains of cave bears. From piazza Regina Elena (Bike Park rental point at the Sport bar), go down via Marconi and cross the bridges over the Gesso stream. Once you reach the fish ponds, keep to the left (fountain) and follow the dirt road that leads to Tetti Lombard. Leave the road on the left which enters the town and reach the area of the caves. A short climb leads to Tetto Bandito. At this point you cross the stream and go up on asphalt along a dedicated but unprotected lane alongside the provincial road up to Roaschia. Country of dairy sheep and transhumant shepherds, known for the Dragonera spring and for the “tajarin”, traditional tagliatelle. Return the outward itinerary or reaching Andonno to return to Valdieri following the provincial road.
Valdieri - Entracque - Valdieri
Distance: 11 km (round trip); difference in height: 250 m; difficulty: easy
Connection path between the two tourist centers of the Gesso Valley: it winds on quiet secondary roads and on a cycle path (dirt and asphalted). We point out the danger of crossing the provincial road near the chapel of Santa Croce and a steep section less than 100 meters long after the Murato bridge (beginning of the hairpin bends that go up to the Entracque plain). Along the itinerary to see: the pretty chapels of Santa Croce and San Giovanni with the remains of fifteenth-century frescoes and the ancient Burga bridge. Do not miss the visit of the two sections of the "Men and Wolves" Center.
Valdieri - Andonno - Monte Croce - Valdieri
Distance: 23.5 km (round trip); difference in height: 850 m; difficulty: difficult
An excursion that smells of lavender. Once out of the chestnut trees and before plunging into the cool shade of the beech woods, the track crosses sunny pastures rich in the precious medicinal plant, once collected by the Andonnese for herbal uses.
The rather technical and tiring itinerary starts from Piazza Regina Elena (Bike Park rental point at the Sport bar), climbs uphill and turns right into Via Principe Umberto, reaching the archaeological area. Go down a beautiful dirt road to the provincial road (dangerous entry point) and continue up to Andonno. Turn left next to Bar Miramonti going up to piazza Sant'Eusebio and continuing along Via Soprana (on the left) up to the ancient Chapel of the Madonna del Gerbetto (fountain). Turn right onto the initially asphalted road then a dirt road that quickly gains altitude among chestnut trees. The forest track climbs with a steady slope up to the watershed with the Stura Valley where you turn right. With a nice ridge path you get to Colla del Firet and reach the panoramic Monte Croce where several sundials are installed.
With a technical path on the path you descend to Tetto Pilone and continue to diverge on the side of the Gesso Valley up to Monte dei Cros and then to Andonno. Once you reach the provincial road, head towards Roaschia and Tetto Bandito you return to Valdieri along the cycle path.
Terme di Valdieri - Lake inf. of Valscura
Distance: 20 km (round trip); difference in height: 900 m; difficulty: difficult
Among the destinations of the Gesso Valley it is undoubtedly the most prestigious. To reach this dream lake (2274 m) in whose waters the Argentera is reflected, you need good training and technical skills. Pedaling on this "king's road" is not very smooth due to the stony ground and in some short stretches you have to get off the saddle. But the effort is rewarded by the beauty of the itinerary and the environments it crosses.
From Terme di Valdieri (1370 m) you reach the parking lot at the entrance to the Vallone di Valasco and cycle up to the Piano del Valasco at the center of which is the excursion shelter created in the ancient royal hunting lodge. Follow the road that goes up to cross the waters of the Rio Valrossa and with a short descent leads to the upper floor. Valasco. You cross the bridge and after a few strokes of the pedal another footbridge. Now bend on bend you gain altitude, neglecting the junction for the refuge. You ride on a bridge at the foot of a waterfall. A few short stretches on foot and you enter the Valscura tunnel and then the Vallone of the same name. The sight of some barracks is a sign that we are now close to our destination.
The practice of this activity in Valle Gesso is concentrated above all in the spring period when the roads at the bottom of the valley are clear of snow and allow you to climb to the top. Dozens of tours available.
Among the most renowned:
- Monte Gelàs (difference in altitude 1950 m). from San Giacomo di Entracque, with possible overnight stay at the Soria - Ellena refuge. A real ski mountaineering, which involves the use of crampons to climb the canal that comes out at the Balcony of the Gelàs; the beautiful summit ridge is rarely traveled.
- Cima Ghiliè (difference in altitude about 1400 m). It is perhaps the best known itinerary, due to the speed of the climb, which required very little movement, and for the opportunity it offers to use skis until late spring. The environment is truly suggestive, like the panorama that reaches the sea.
- Colle di Ciliegia (difference in altitude about 950 m). Easy excursion with wide slopes, passable until late spring.
- Colle di Brocan (difference in altitude 1350 m). from Lago della Rovina you reach the large basin of Lago Brocan and then the hill. The very suggestive environment is dominated by some of the most important peaks of the Argentera group.
- Monte Lausetto (difference in altitude 1600 m). Nice excursion departing from Tetti Gaina. The pot slope to the summit is thrilling, offering a steep and constant descent over more than 500 meters of altitude. From the tip, an exceptional panorama over the plain.
There are also numerous itineraries that can be followed with touring skis and snowshoes. In Valle Gesso, the Vallone di Desertetto up to Colle dell'Arpione (difference in altitude 700 m) and the road to Esternate deserve a mention, which starting from the cross-country center of Entracque climbs towards a basin (difference in altitude 300 m) occupied by numerous long abandoned villages.
In Entracque, the Viver ski lifts have 4 ski lifts and about 5 km of slopes. The "Gelàs" cross-country ski center offers an area with over 30 km of slopes, most of which are groomed for both the classic technique and the skating step. One of the tracks is homologated for national competitions. Particularly suggestive for the environments crossed and interesting for the technical difficulties is the Sartaria, which climbs the Vallone del Rio Bousset.
One hundred and thirty-five years ago, on August 18, 1879, the reverend William August Brevoort Coolidge, an American Protestant pastor expert in the Alps, looked out at the summit of the most beautiful snowy gully in the Maritimes, the "Lourousa" and with his faithful Christian and Ulrich Almer, guides Alpine Swiss, set foot - first in the history of mountaineering - on the peaks of the Argentera, the "queen" mountain of the Maritime Alps. Ora that collar bears his name.
La punta Gelas di Lourousa (3261 m_punta Gelas di Lourousa (3261 m] between the municipality of Valdieri and that of Entracque.
The glacier contained in the gully is called Gelàs di Lourousa; from this the mountain takes its name.