Hiking in Piedmont to Rifugio Quintino Sella
There is a wonderful hiking area at the foot of the Monviso in western Piedmont. Here hikers get their money’s worth for every level of difficulty. The hiking tour from Pian del Re to Rifugio Quintino Sella is one of the most popular hikes in Piedmont. At the glacier lakes you can hardly see enough of the alpine flora and fauna. In the barren high mountains you will find ibex and marmots.
Hiking in Piedmont to the Rifugio Quintino Sella at the foot of Monviso
The hike to the Rifugio Quintino Sella is a very varied tour and therefore a very popular hike in Piedmont.
Starting at the source of the Po on the Pian del Re, it goes past the glacial lakes to the Colle des Viso near the Rifugio Quintino Sella. From there, the descent to Crissolo begins, to come back by foot or by bus to the starting point at Pian del Re.
The day hike runs over 21 km and goes up to an altitude of 2600 meters. For the difference in altitude of almost 1200 up and down, you need some stamina, good sure-footedness, stable hiking shoes and hiking sticks if possible.
Good weather and a navigator or mountain guide who will show you the right way are also important.
Description of the Hike in Piedmont to the Rifugio Quintino Sella
- Duration: 8 hours without lunch break and detours
- Difficulty level: 3 out of 5
- Distance: 20,5 km
- Minimum altitude: Crissolo 1543 m
- Maximum altitude: 2640 m (Rifugio Quintino Sella)
- Total climb: 1231 m
- Descend: 1231 m
Starting Point Pian Del Re
The tour starts at the source of the Po. In July, a minibus runs daily from Crissolo to the Pian del Re on weekends and in August. For the parking lot at Pian del Re you pay € 5 per day in summer.
At the Pian del Re, where the Mississippi of Italy originates, follow the signs to GTA V13 Quintino Sella.
Passing the Glacial Lakes
After a first ascent, you pass Lago Fiorenza at 2113 meters. With a little luck you can watch the black salamander here in humid weather. The vegetation is characterized by delicate alpine flowers, such as gentian, thyme, cyclamen, cloves, alpine bells. When the weather is clear and calm, the Monviso is reflected in the crystal-clear water of Lake Fiorenza.
The path on the left continues past the lake. The next glacial lake is the azure Lago Chiaretto.
On the Giro del Viso
The path is well marked and you walk on a long moraine over rubble masses, always following the Giro del Viso until you reach the Colle del Viso at an altitude of 2560 meters. The north wall is almost always covered with snow even in midsummer. From here there is a beautiful view of Lago Grande di Viso and Rifugio Quintino Sella. Through the almost eerie silence in the high mountains you can hear every stone rolling down. Most of the stones are released by the ibex, which live at this height.
On the left is a marker for Viso Mozzo, which can be reached via a steep climb. The last piece is relatively flat until you have made the wide crest of the Viso Mozzo with the distinctive cross.
Rifugio Quintino Sella
After a few minutes you can reach the Rifugio Quintino Sella alpine hut at an altitude of 2640 meters. The hut is managed and with a capacity of 173 beds, the Rifugio Quintini Sella is one of the largest Alpine huts.
From now on it goes downhill towards Crissolo. The path always goes downhill over a high alpine meadow and meadows. It is not particularly well signposted, but there are traces.
Crissolo
Above Crissolo you come to the Baite Furnai on the road that leads to Serre towards Meire Giaromba. At Spiaggia, the small bath on the Po, you reach the Ristorante La Spiaggia. Time for a rest. If the hike ends here, you can still visit the Rio Martino cave.
From Crissolo to the Pian del Re
The route from Crissolo to Pian del Re is 5.5 km long and takes 2.5 to 3 hours. At the weekend in July there is also the option of taking a minibus to the Pian del Re. On request, we can book a private shuttle service for you.
Description of the hike from Crissolo to the Pian del Re
Why Hiking in Piedmont to the Rifugio Quintino Sella with milano24ore?
Included Services
We provide a Piedmont authorised 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 flora and fauna. This will give you some insight about the Monviso in the Piedmont and the Okzitan culture.
Additional Services
- Overnight stays with breakfast and dinner at Mountain Inn Pian del Re or Hotel Colletta
- Tour extensions with a regional wine tasting tour
- Private transfers
Exclusive and in Your Language
The hiking tour in Piedmont 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 8 hour 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 Pian del Re or at another hotel in Piedmont. 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 Mountain Inn Pian del Re is locatated at the source of the Po river in Piedmont. You find the inscription “Qui nasce il Po” on a stone.
Glacial Lakes in Piedmont
Uphill the Pian del Re there are the glacial lakes Lago Fiorenza and the azure alpine lake Lago Chiaretto that tributaries the Po river. Lago Chiaretto is fed by the Coolidge glacier, the water of which gets its turquoise color due to minerals. You can find delicate alpine flowers such as gentian, thyme, cyclamen, carnations, alpine bells and the rare black salamander.
Colle del Viso 2655 m
The Alpine Pass Colle del Viso is located at an altitude of 2665 meters on the Giro del Viso, the route around the Monviso, the king of stone.
Rifugio Quintino Sella 2640 m
The alpine 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. Quintino Sella was one of the founding members of the CAI.
Viso Mozzo (3019 Meter Höhe)
The Viso Mozzo is located near the Rifugio Quintino Sella and you can make a detour to the Berkuppe. The ascent is initially steep and the last part is relatively flat until you reach the wide crest of the Viso Mozzo with the striking cross.
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