MTSZ
MTSZ térképportál
Turista Magazin
TuristaShop
Kéktúra
Gerecse50
A kéktúrázás napja
recommended route
Hiking Trail
· Province of Turin
PIALPETTA Val Grande Balcony Trail loop
-
Balcony path with the lower Val Grande in the backgroundPhoto: Andrea Mantelli, Turismo Torino e Provincia
Departure from the valley floor, you climb through woods and alpine pastures to reach the balcony trail: a very panoramic route, as it develops above the tree line.
The Val Grande Balcony Trail is a long route on an unpaved road used by shepherds to reach the alpine pastures. It thus develops into a pleasant panoramic walk that allows you to admire the valley below, the Sea valley, and the mountain heads on the border with France, with peaks above 3000 meters in height.
The Rivotti hamlet consists of a group of scattered buildings above the church which stands out due to its white color and large size.
Starting from the valley floor, you climb the sunny side along the GTA (Great Alpine Crossing) / Sentiero Italia path crossing elegant beech woods and small hamlets. The descent crosses some historic alpine pastures and with a steep trail reaches the valley floor again.
To close the loop, a simple piece of the Val Grande Nature Trail is followed on the other side of the Stura, in a shadier environment.
Author’s recommendation
Given its southern exposure, I recommend it in spring and autumn when you enjoy the warmth of the sun and the snow melts sooner.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
In rainy periods or during peak snowmelt, crossing the Sagnasse stream downhill can be difficult.
Water supply is possible at Pialpetta (starting point) and at Rivotti. The only refreshment points are at the start.
Tips and suggestions
For tourist information on the valleys: Lanzo Valleys Tourist Operators Consortium - www.turismovallidilanzo.it
Roadbook
Departure from the provincial road next to a small church, take Via San Lorenzo. Slightly turn right, then left under a passage in Arco and then the trail begins which crosses the road a couple of times until you reach an alpine house, to be passed on the right. Behind the building the trail resumes in the woods (follow the white and red markers). You reach the paved road, take it to the right uphill. After a hairpin bend, on the right there is a gap in the wall towards the mountain and you start climbing again in the woods. You enter the group of houses "baite Beinasco" then turn right on a cart track that leads near some houses. Then immediately left, following the road to the "baita dell'amicizia" where the trail resumes on the right. Then cross the road once more and follow the mule track to reach the church of Rivotti. Reach the paved road just above and climb for a few hundred meters on the ascending road. At a left curve, take the trail on the right which, passing the Crest alpine pasture, allows you to shorten the path. From behind the alpine pasture climb to regain the road, which you leave shortly after for the trail that climbs straight on the left (alternatively, for a gentler climb you can walk on the road following the signs for Sagnasse).
You thus reach the path road of the balcony trail which you take to the left and follow faithfully for a few kilometers until a long flat straight where you descend (shortly after a niche with a small Madonna) on the left between the alpine pastures of Pià Nou (sign 319). Then follow downhill the dirt road to Gias Piano (1731 m): pass between the buildings and follow the trail track at first flat and then descending. The trail then enters the woods, crosses the Sagnasse stream (careful during rainy periods or strong snowmelt in spring) and becomes steeper until it reaches the provincial road.
Cross the road and the next bridge, then turn left onto the nature trail. Cross the Stura at the second bridge. You then arrive at the camper area: reach the main road and turn right to return to the starting point.
CASA ALPINA FORNO ALPI GRAIE
PAOLO DAVISO
Albergo Setugrino
SETUGRINO
Public transport
Pialpetta is reached by bus line 173 Ceres - Forno Alpi Graie with one ascent in the morning and one in the afternoon. Go to the Autolinee Giachino website for schedules.
Directions
From the plain, arrive at Lanzo, then continue towards Germagnano. Continue in the direction of Ceres. Just before the town of Ceres, turn right at the traffic lights (signs for Groscavallo) and continue to Pialpetta.
Parking
There is a large parking lot just before the camper area or in the small square where the tourist office kiosk is located.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
- Fraternali publisher map 1:25000 - 8- Valli di Lanzo ISBN 978-88-97465-19-5
- IGC 103 1:25000 - Rocciamelone Uja di Ciamarella le Levanne Alte Valli di Lanzo
- L’Escursionista & Monti publishers - Alte Valli di Lanzo – map no. 17; Valli di Lanzo – trail map 3 Val d’Ala and Val Grande.
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Non-slip sole footwear, wind/rain protection, a warm layer, water and food supply, first aid, hat, and sunglasses are recommended.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions