Balme

One of the best-known areas in Balme is the Pian della Mussa: this is a large, grassy plateau at 1.800 meters above sea level, from which gushes out the icy water that is very renowned in Turin for its goodness and lightness, which supplies the town's aqueduct and even travels to space: because of its qualities (it has a low mineral salt content), in fact, it also supplies the American crew of the International Space Station. In the hamlet of Villaggio Albaron, then, water is also bottled by the company "Pian della Mussa Acque Minerali."

Pian della Mussa, finally, is the protagonist of the first hike we recommend: a scenic loop that starts at the end of the road that crosses the plateau, goes up to the Rifugio Città di Ciriè, and reaches the Piano della Ciamarella, and then returns. The same route can also be lengthened, starting from Balme, in the parking lot next to the ski lift.

If you're not very sporty, or you're traveling with children, on the other hand, we recommend instead that you tryL'Aghieri Ecocampus, a park with an equipped trail among the trees and above the stream, with Tibetan bridges, games, and picnic area.

A note for those with a sweet tooth: Balme is also known for the cheese made in its mountain pastures, Toma di Balme, which is one of the 201 Italian cheeses recognized by the Slow Food Presidium.

In addition to the Pian della Mussa loop, there are many hikes you can take in the Balme area, for example the EscursionAble itinerary, which is suitable for people with reduced mobility and visual impairments (thanks to the presence of appropriate signs), and which from the Balme skating rink, passing by the picturesque waterfall la Gorgia, reaches a pleasant mountain pasture and then the hamlet of Villaggio Albaron. Alternatively, you can do theloop in Val Servin that continues along the Sentiero degli Stambecchi, with departure and arrival in the hamlet of Cornetti, or the hike to the Ghicet di Sea pass, which crosses the southern slope of the Uja di Ciamarella, among alpine pastures and splendid views.

Of note, then, are some stages that are part of longer walks, such as the difficult, yet beautiful and exciting, stage of the GTA (i.e., the Gran Traversata Alpina, a wonderful hiking route that unites theentire western Alpine arc of Piedmont) that goes from Balme to Usseglio, and the first stage of the Tour of the Bessanese, which leads from Rifugio Gastaldi, in the territory of Balme, to Rifugio Cibrario, in the municipality of Usseglio, among lakes, valleys and streams.

If you love more high-mountain trails, on the other hand, we recommend exploring Uja (or Uia) di Ciamarella, which starts from Rifugio Gastaldi and climbs up to the peak of the mountain, among the highest and most beautiful in the Graian Alps, where, with the right weather conditions, you can even climb the small glacier below.

For snowshoe enthusiasts, we recommend a treat: it is the easy but fascinating snowshoe hike on the Val Servin Nature Trail, which passes through silent beech and larch forests, quiet alpine pastures, the two ancient and typical villages of Li Fré and Cornetti, with their characteristic stone and wood houses, brushing against the frozen waterfalls of the Pontat stream, where you may run into climbers intent on scaling the area's crags.