Hiking in Piedmont to Giacoletti at Monviso Mountain
The hike leads from the Pian del Re to the Rifugio Vitale Giacoletti. The alpine hut is located at an altitude of 2741 meters on the border with France. Next to it is the summit of Punta Udine at 3020 meters, which can only be climbed with special equipment. The entire route can be covered in 4 hours.
What to Expect from a Hiking in Piedmont to Rifugio Giacoletti?
The hike starts at the source of the Po river and first passes the beautiful glacial lakes and then continues to the Rifugio Giacoletti. The Vitale Giacoletti mountain hut is only open in summer. You can eat well and stay overnight in the dormitory. The hike is a circular route and therefore possible to take in both directions. The Giacoletti Pass leads from the Rifugio Vitale Giacoletti to France. This part of the way can only be mastered with climbing equipment. At this height, snow fields are also widespread in midsummer (July), and we recommend hiking sticks. Until spring, the hike can only be made with snowshoes (racchette, ciaspole).
Description of the Hike in Piedmont to the Rifugio Giacoletti
- Duration: 4 Hours without lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 3 out of 5
- Distance: 10.3 km
- Minimum altitude: Pian del Re 2020 m
- Maximum altitude: Rifugio Giacoletti 2711 m
- Total climb: 894 m
Starting Point Pian del Re
The starting point of the hike is at the Pian del Re at an altitude of 2020 meters. From the Pian del Re you walk the first segment on the GTA V16 trail. After a few hundred meters, turn left at the crossroads. It goes uphill, past Lago Fiorenza (2113m), and Lago Lausetto to Lago Superiore (2313m), which you graze on the southern tip. Cross the valley at Lago Superiore and take the path on your left, where the path quickly climbs steeply. At 2493 m you come to the intersection with the trail to Punta Roma. You continue straight ahead over stones before the path rises again in serpentines. After about 2 hours you reach the Giacoletti hut at an altitude of 2741 m.
Alpine Hut Rifugio Vitale Giacoletti
There is a lot of activity here on summer weekends. During the week, when it is quieter, you can see ibexes, I kind of mountain goat. Behind the Giacoletti hut, there is a climbing route to Punta Udine (3020m), which can only be mastered with the appropriate equipment. On the other side of the mountain peak is the French Vallée du Guil. The route over the Passo Giacoletti (2990m) is reserved for alpinists with equipment.
Sentiero del Postino, Postman’s Trail
After leaving the Rifugio Vitale Giacoletti alpine hut, follow the path north to Sentiero del Postino.
Between Punta Venezia and Rocce del Losas, the path now descends steeply over scree. The snow remains on the northern slope for a particularly long time and it is quite smooth. Once you have overcome this section of the path, you can continue to descend steeply or choose the junction with a variant via the Sentiero del Postino. Stirrups and a rope initiate this part of the way. The narrow path leads parallel to the slope in a large right curve to the Pian del Re plateau. On the left the branches to Colle delle Traversette (Buco del Viso) and later to Colle Armoine. You can hear and see marmots scurrying past on the way, hiding quickly as soon as people come close. We follow the wide path into the valley to the Pian del Re.
Why Hiking in Piedmont to Rifugio Giacoletti with milano24ore?
Included Services
We provide a Piedmont authorized Mountain Guide that speaks your language. Our guide will accompany you on this hike. Your hiking guide will inform you beforehand about the accessibility of the route and the weather conditions. He or she will give you interesting details on the way and draws your attention to the special features of the region and the special mountain cuisine. This will give you some insight about the specialties of the Monviso in Piedmont near the French border.
Reservation and typical lunch at the Rifugio Giacoletti, beverages are extra.
Additional Services
- Overnight stays with breakfast and dinner at Mountain Inn Pian del Re or Hotel La Colletta
- Tour extensions with a regional wine tasting tour
- Private transfers
Exclusive and in Your Language
The hiking tour is organized only for you and your fellow travelers. They are conducted in the language you choose. We have experienced local guides for Italian, English, French. Other languages on request or with interpreter.
Pricing
The above price has been calculated for a group of 8 participants on a 4 hour hike with lunch. Please let us know the number of participants and special wishes with your request.
Arrival and Meeting Place
Your guide can meet you at Pian del Re or at your hotel in Piedmont. On request we can organise a transport to the meeting point and collect you from the end point.
Stages of the Hike
Pian del Re, 2020 meters altitude
The official source of the Po is at Pian del Re. The inscription “Qui nasce il Po” is found on a stone. A little further uphill you pass the glacier lakes. As this is a round tour we suggest accommodation wit typical dinner at the Mountain Inn Pian del Re.
Rifugio Vitale Giacoletti
The Vitale Giacoletti alpine hut at the foot of the Monviso in Piedmont is run by a family in summer from mid-June to mid-September. Typical mountain dishes are cooked, such as polenta with rabbit or gorgonzola. Everything is freshly prepared. Dogs are not allowed in the refuge and must be tied up outside.
The Alpine hut was built in 1939 for the Guardia di Finanza and used until 1943. In the 1950s, the refuge was rebuilt and dedicated to Vitale Giacoletti. He was the founder of the section of the CAI Barge. Giacoletti tragically died in 1955 climbing the Matterhorn at the age of 32.
If you want to stay overnight, we suggest making a reservation. If you book additional services with us, we will be happy to do it for you.
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