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Hiking in Piedmont – Monviso Tour, The Famous Giro del Viso
The Giro del Viso is one of the most beautiful alpine hikes we have done. There are many variants of this circular hike around Mount Viso, or as we call it in Italy, Monviso. Depending on the level of difficulty you are seeking and the weather conditions, the tour can be done in two to eight days. We have chosen a circular route that is also suitable for families with children.
This circular hiking trail, the Giro del Monviso, extends over 5 days with overnight stays in mountain inns and alpine huts. We love to share with you our experience and insights collected on this hike in the Cottian Alps of Piedmont.
What to Expect Hiking in Piedmont the Monviso Tour in the Cottian Alps?
The Giro del Viso can be a section of the large Alpine crossings that lead from Valais in Switzerland to the Maritime Alps in Liguria. With wonderful views in the fresh air, you can leave everyday life behind and recharge your batteries. Part of the five-day hike, the Giro Del Viso, goes through Piedmont and part through France. The hike always extends to an altitude of over 2000 meters and even in summer there can still be ice and snow. We therefore recommend the period for the hike from mid-July to mid-September.
The circular tour around Monviso is our favorite hiking experience filled with wonderful memories. You will be a few days away from TV, Internet and phone. This might feel a bit strange at first, but by day 3 you will appreciate the calmness that surrounds you. However, in case of an emergency your hosts at the alpine huts can call for you.
Description of the Giro Del Viso in 5 Days
- Duration: 5 days
- Difficulty level: 3 out of 5
- Distance: 40 km
- Minimum altitude: 1603 m (Castello di Pontechianale)
- Maximum altitude: 2938 m (Colle delle Traversette)
Giro Del Viso Overview
Day 1 – Castello di Pontechianale (1603m) – Rifugio Vallanta (2450m)
Day 2 – Rifugio Vallanta (2450m) – Refuge du Viso (Frankreich) (2460m)
Day 3 – Refuge du Viso (2460m) – Rifugio Pian del Re (2020m)
Day 4 – Rifugio Pian del Re (2020m) – Rifugio Quintino Sella (2640m)
Day 5 – Rifugio Quintino Sella (2640m) – Castello (1603m)
Day 1 – Castello di Pontechianale to Rifugio Vallanta
The hike leads through the Vallone di Vallanta to the Vallanta Refuge. The starting point Castello can be reached from Valle Varaita via Sampèyre and Casteldelfino, where you turn right to Castello on Lake Castello. There you park your car and the hike can begin.
The trail starts in the Castello district at the reservoir at an altitude of 1603 m. You walk through the beautiful, wide Vallanta valley and then you walk comfortably uphill to 1900 m to the Passo di San Chiaffredo junction. After crossing the Grangia del Rio brook, you continue on the other side uphill to the source of health (Gias d’Ajaut – Fontana Della Salute) at an altitude of 2036 m. There you have to cross the brook again. After reaching the Pian Para plateau at 2350 meters, the wide path continues gently uphill to Rifugio Vallanta (2450 m) for rest, dinner, and overnight stay.
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Starting height: 1603 m
Final altitude: 2450 m
Altitude difference: about 800 m
Day 2 – Rifugio Vallanta to Refuge du Viso (F)
From Rifugio Vallanta it goes uphill over the Vallanta Pass (2811 m) and then downhill to Rifugio Mont Viso on the French side. Some sections of the Vallanta Pass are snow-covered all year round but are still easy to walk on. On the right-hand side you can always see the Monviso. The Monte Viso hut is relatively small, both in terms of sleeping and seating in the dining room.
Walking time: 3 hours
Starting height: 2450 m
Final altitude: 2460 m
Altitude difference: about 400 m
Day 3 – Refuge du Viso (F) to Mountain Inn Pian del Re (I)
The first part of the way goes up to the Colle delle Traversette (2950m). The section is a bit difficult and should only be taken in dry weather. Alternatively, you can take the Buco del Viso alpine tunnel (Galleria delle Traversette) and save the last section on Colle delle Traversette. After descending the Traversette, you come to the Sentiero del Postino. This leads to the Giacoletti hut and is relatively difficult to walk on. We take the path to Pian del Re, which continues downhill and ends on the plateau.
Walking time: 3.5 hours
Starting height: 2460 m
Final altitude: 2020 m
Altitude difference: about 500 m
Day 4 – Mountain Inn Pian del Re to Rifugio Quintino Sella
At the source of the Po the path leads to Lago Fiorenza (2113 m). Past the lake, continue upwards, past Lago Chiaretto via Colle del Viso (2650 m) and Lago Grande di Viso to Rifugio Quintino Sella (2640 m).
Walking time: 3 hours
Starting height 2020 m
Final height 2640 m
Altitude difference: 620 m
Day 5 – Rifugio Quintino Sella back to Castello
Via the Gallarino Pass (2727 m) and the subsequent Passo di Santo Chiaffredo (2764 m), we go downhill into the Vallone di Vallanta, past mountain lakes down to Castello, where the car is parked or your transfer is waiting.
Walking time: 6 hours
Starting height: 2640 m
Final height: 1603 m
Altitude difference: 1040 m
Why Hiking in Piedmont on the Giro Del Viso with milano24ore?
Services Included in the Price
We provide a Piedmont authorized Mountain Guide that speaks your language. Our guide will accompany you on this hike. He will give you some insight into the Monviso area and the Okzitan culture. Our guide will be with you for the entire 5-day hike.
Accommodation, breakfast, lunch box, and dinners in the mountain huts are included.
Additional Services
Overnight stays with breakfast and dinner at the begin and the end of the tour
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 an interpreter.
Pricing
The above price has been calculated for a group of 8 participants on a 5-days hike. Please let us know the number of participants and special wishes with your request.
Arrival and Meeting Place
Your guide can meet you at Castello or at your hotel in Piedmont. We can organize transport to the meeting point and collect you for onward travel.
Stages of the Giro del Viso
Castello di Pontechianale 1603 m
Pontechianale is located in the Valle Varaita, on the border with France. The small town with less than 200 inhabitants is surrounded by mountains over 2000 meters high. Occitan culture and language are still cultivated in the Varaita Valley. In 1942, a dam was built in the Castello district above Pontechianale. The Lago Pontechianale reservoir formed from it is very idyllic and is the destination of those seeking relaxation. Castello di Pontechianale has less than 20 inhabitants.
Rifugio Vallanta 2450 m
The modern mountain hut Rifugio Vallanta was built in 1988 on the west side of the Monviso. It is open from mid-June to mid-September. The capacity is 25 beds and 75 seats in the dining room.
Refuge du Viso (F) 2460m
The shelter has 23 beds in dormitories. You have to bring sleeping bags. There is no electricity in the dormitories. The hot water for the two showers is obtained via solar panels. So it depends on the duration of the sunshine how much hot water is available.
Mountain Inn and Rifugio Pian del Re 2020 m
The Mountain Inn Pian del Re is a comfortable mountain inn. It is located at the source of the Po river in Piedmont. Near the Inn, you find the inscription “Qui nasce il Po” on a stone. Here rises the Po river.
Rifugio Quintino Sella 2640 m
The alpine hut Rifugio Quintino Sella was built in 1904. It is one of the historic alpine huts in Piedmont and was dedicated to the alpinist Quintino Sella. On August 12, 1863, Quintino Sella led the first Italian rope team to the Monviso. In the same year, he promoted the foundation of the Italian Alpine Association. The CAI, Club Alpino Italiano, was officially founded in Turin on October 23, 1863. Quintino Sella was one of the founding members of the CAI.
Rifugio Alpetto 2261 m
The Rifugio Alpetto was only built in 1998. Until 1990 the first alpine hut Ricovero dell’Alpetto was used. It was one of the first shelters in the Alps. The Alpine hut Rifugio Alpetto near the glacier lake Alpetto has 30 beds in 5 rooms as well as 8 emergency beds and shower facilities on each floor.
Other Hiking Tours in Piemont, Cottian Alps
Please contact us if you don’t find what you are looking for. Our strength is to develop bespoke itineraries for individual travelers and private groups
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