Moderate

Several enchanting Alpine lakes lie hidden, in an evidently contrasting and decidedly less severe environment, at the feet of the sheer north face of Monviso and the amazing sequence of peaks over three thousand metres in height reaching up to Mount Granero. This loop takes in the four main lakes,…

After Casteldelfino, the Varaita valley reaches a fork: the left fork leads to Sant'Anna di Bellino, the right to Colle dell'Agnello, a well-known high-altitude pass open to cars. On taking precisely this second stretch, a few kilometres beyond the lake of Pontechianale we reach Chianale, an enchanting Alpine village of…

Lake Nero is a pearl hidden among the folds of the northern buttress of Rocca la Meja, a vertical Dolomitic rock formation by no coincidence widely considered to be one of the finest mountains in the Cuneo Alps. It is a truly delightful loop thanks to its secluded environment and…

Monte Chialmo is part of the long ridge separating the Grana and Maira valleys as it rises up to Monte Tibert. Although not the highest peak, the summit offers a superlative and unexpected panorama: the horizon takes in the Ligurian Alps and the Cozie Alps dominated by the imposing bulk…

The village of Narbona is progressively disappearing. Abandoned by its inhabitants in the late 1950s, it remained so - with furniture still in the houses - until today. Now, bad weather and the passing years are reducing it to a pile of ruins. This loop moves up the steep slopes…

The Sanctuary of Sant'Anna di Vinadio, in the heart of the Maritime Alps, is the starting point for a spectacular itinerary between Italy and France. It touches on four hills with wonderful views over a dozen small lakes. This marvellous trail culminates in a crescendo on reaching the Tesina Pass,…

The Upper Lake Roburent really needs no introduction. It is the true symbol of the Stura valley, be it for its characteristic horse-shoe shape or its extraordinary position in a wide basin set amidst green meadows at the feet of the immense rocky mass of Monte Oronaye. It is a…

The main lakes of the entire Vermenagna valley lie above the lovely hamlet of Palanfrè. This delightful itinerary moves up the secluded Albergh valley to the evocative Frisson lakes, nestled in splendid wide valleys at the feet of the impressive pyramid of Monte Albergh itself.

Six imposing fortifications were built at the end of the 1800s in a splendid panoramic position around the Colle di Tenda on the border ridge to counter a possible invasion from across the Alps. Ironically, the forts became French property in 1947. This scenic loop takes hikers to the three…

Rainfall and snow in melting the wide Càrsene valley penetrate into the underground cavities of the karst terrain to feed tunnels, siphons and underground lakes that give rise in spring to the splendid Pis del Pesio waterfalls. This itinerary and its spectacular environments is entirely inside the Marguareis Natural Park…

The Garelli Refuge is a charming stone structure with a very modern glass and metal extension reflecting the surrounding mountains. A not-to-be-missed hike in the heart of the Marguareis Natural Park amidst high altitude, lush green pastures at the feet of the astonishing north face of the Marguareis, the highest…

Lake Biecai is an ephemeral lake: its waters flow completely into the underground ravines of the karst sink hole where it is located when summer arrives. The best time to visit is early June when, after the snow has melted, the lake can be enjoyed in all its glory. A…