Hiking in Piedmont to Alpetto Lake from Oncino
This beautiful hike in Piedmont takes you across lush meadows where the Piedmontese cattle graze. They are particularly sought after because of their good milk and their tasty meat. Along the Rio dell’Alpetto, you climb up to the Alpine hut. The hike can also be carried out in winter with snowshoes (Racchette).
What to Expect from a Hike in Piedmont to the Rifugio Alpetto
The hiking trail in Piedmont begins at the foot of the Monviso in Oncino and runs over 9 km of easy-to-walk paths that are almost 1000 meters high. You are compensated for this by looking at the Monviso, which you can see all the way ahead. One crosses large pastures, on which particularly sought-after cattle from Piedmont can enjoy themselves well on the fresh grass. The end of the hike is the Rifugio Alpetto mountain hut on Lago Alpetto at an altitude of 2214 meters. From here you can return or continue on the Giro del Viso or to the Pian del Re.
Description of the Hike in Piedmont to Alpetto
- Duration: 3,5 Hours without lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 2 out of 5
- Distance: 9 km
- Minimum altitude: Oncino 1219 m
- Maximum altitude: Rifugio Alpetto 2261 m
- Total climb: 1163 m
- Total descend: 125 m
Starting Point is Oncino, Cuneo Province
The starting point of the hike is Oncino. The small town of Oncino in the province of Cuneo can be reached by car on the Paesana road off SP26. There is a parking lot in front of the church in the center. That is where our hike begins. You always follow the signs for Rifugio Alpetto. To the left is a path to the Colle del Cervetto. We follow the road and leave Borgata Comba on the right. The road continues to the Meire Dacant settlement. At the end of the narrow road, you come to the mountain pasture on the plateau. Lush meadows provide the cows with strong food. The particularly tasty beef of Piedmont comes from these pastures. The beautiful hiking trail initially leads leisurely along the Rio dell’Alpetto, which you cross over a wooden bridge. You pass the characteristic wall of the Rocca Bianca and see straight ahead as the constant companion at the top of the Monviso. After crossing the valley, the path becomes steep and continues along the Rio dell’Alpetto, which flows here in torrents and cascades into the valley. The last part of the Rifugio Alpetto is wider and gentler again. A few meters further is the Alpine lake Lago d’Alpetto.
Lago Alpetto and Rifugio Alpetto
The alpine hut Rifugio Alpetto di Oncino is located at an altitude of 2268m at the foot of the Monviso near the Lago Alpetto. There are several options for the way back. Either you take the same path as on the way there. Alternatively, it is possible to extend the tour via the Quintino Sella hut and descend to Crissolo or the Pian del Re. A direct path leads to the Rifugio Quintino Sella. The tour of the Giro del Viso runs along the Rifugio Alpetto and you can continue west to the Rifugio Vallanta.
Why Hiking in Piedmont at the Monviso with milano24ore?
Included Services
We provide a Piedmont authorized Mountain Guide that speaks your language. Our guide will accompany you on this hike. 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 Monviso and Okzitan culture in Piedmont.
Additional Services
- Multi-day tour pre-arranged with overnight stays, guide, meals
for example the Giro del Viso - Overnight stays with breakfast and dinner in the Rifugio Alpetto
- 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 (only in one direction). For the return, you have to calculate another 3 hours. Please let us know the number of participants and special wishes with your request.
Arrival and Meeting Place
Your guide can meet you in Oncino or at your hotel in Piedmont. We will be happy to organize a transfer to the meeting point and collect you from the end point.
Stages of the Hike
Oncino, 1219 meters altitude
The village of Oncino is 1200 meters high in the upper valley of the Po river and has less than 100 inhabitants. The hike keeps going uphill to the Rifugio Alpetto with the neighboring Lago Alpetto. The Rifugio Alpetto is a 3 km straight line from the king of the mountains, the Monviso. On the hike, you always have the Moviso with its 3841 meters hight in front of you.
Rifugio Alpetto 2261 meters altitude
The beautiful Rifugio Alpetto was only built in 1998. It serves as a stopover for hikers on the Giro del Viso. It was built from stones from the mountains on a small plateau. The Alpine hut Rifugio Alpetto has 30 beds in 5 rooms as well as 8 emergency beds and shower facilities on each floor. Until 1990 the first alpine hut was used as a shelter. The Ricovero dell’Alpetto was one of the first shelters in the Alps. It was built in 1866 as a station on the way to the Monviso. The Alpetto shelter was used until 1990 until it became much too small. Today the Alpetto Museum is housed in it.
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