Sasso di Bosconero normal route via Forcella Toanella from Pontesei Parking

Premise

This route was done on September 2, 2021, and all subsequent observations and considerations are fully valid only for that day.

↓

Up to the Casera di Bosconero refuge there are two main CAI trails with variants that switch from one to the other.

Then follow the signs towards Forcella Toanella, and after the first stretch through the vegetation, caution is needed to follow the markers (small red dots, smaller and larger cairns) to keep to the less tiring lines.

Here the GPS is already unreliable due to signal bouncing on the high walls, but in general, you should avoid the large landslide gully that at a certain point opens on the right uphill, climbing immediately above its left edge.

You then reach the entrance of the final channel of Val Toanella where the signs initially lead left in the climbing direction and then pass to the right just before Forcella Toanella.

On the descent there is a nice line of soft gravel on the center-left of the channel (therefore almost opposite the first part of the ascent): fun with a “pit stop” at the end to remove stones from low shoes for those who use them like me.

From Forcella Toanella there is an “army of cairns” and various red markers indicating the route to the summit of Sasso di Bosconero.

There is only one short steep section with a surface without good grip, preceding a low rock band where the signs lead to the only point where you use your hands for a very short grade I jump.

In fact, it can also be avoided (I noticed on the descent) by a narrow notch that bypasses the rock on the left on the way up – you have to take off your backpack and advance sideways, holding it by your side: in this way you can walk upright on normal steps.

On the way back, after the Bosconero refuge, I diverted towards the small Casera dei Zot, to visit the nearby waterfall and the subsequent small lake.

After the small lake with the sign “Fòs de BòscNègre” (I report the exact spelling and believe it means Val del Bosconero) you encounter a beautiful spring with a very impressive name: “Fountain of Eternal Youth” (locality Àiva del Roka).

I drank, refilled the bottles, and ... in the coming years we will see the results! 😉