Trekking tour del Monviso

Departure date 19/07/2024:

Meeting with the guide at the Castello car park from where the trek begins with the path that runs alongside the Vallanta stream, then deviating eastwards and climbing up the long and wild valley that leads to the San Chiaffredo pass, surrounded by magnificent peaks and the south face of Monviso.

From the pass, and the following one of Gallarino, you enter the plateau that leads to the Quintino Sella refuge, under the east face of Monviso.

Difference in altitude: 1200+, 200-, 12 km, approximately 5h30min of actual walking.

Meals: -/-/D

Departure date 06/09/2024: 

1st day: Arrival at Pian del Re, trekking to the Giacolet refuge and Quintino Sella refuge

Meeting with the guide at the Pian del Re car park (2,020 m), at the foot of Monviso.

The tour begins by climbing along the mule track that leads to Lake Superiore (2,430 m), where the sharp peaks of Punte Roma and Udine are reflected, and then continues with various hairpin bends and gets ever closer to the impressive rock walls up to Rifugio Giacolet ( 2,741 m - approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from Pian del Re).

Stop at the refuge to admire the enchanting panorama of the North Face and the imposing ridges. In the afternoon you descend along the same path or on some variant to Lake Chiaret, from where you go back up to Colle di Viso (2,650 m.), between Monviso and Viso Mozzo.

From here you continue briefly to Lake Grande di Viso and the Quintino Sella refuge, in front of the majestic east face of Monviso (2,640 m - approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes from the Giacolet Refuge). Arrival and accommodation in the rooms.

At your choice, and based on the meeting time at Pian del Re, it will be possible to go directly to the Quintino Sella refuge instead of first going to the Giacolet refuge. The climb from Pian del Re to the Sella refuge takes approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the Sella refuge you can still do some short excursions in the surrounding area, for example towards the summit of Viso Mozzo.

For expert hikers, the climb to the Giacolet refuge can also be done via the Canale del Porco, with equipped sections but without the need for a harness or rope.

Difference in altitude: 1200+, 10 km, 6 hours of walking

Meals: -/-/D

Departure on 19/07/2024:

Trek Rifugio Quintino Sella (2640 m.) - Buco di Viso (2882 m.) - Refuge du Viso (2460 m.)

We will leave the Quintino Sella refuge to descend to the Superiori del Viso lakes, from where you go up under Punta Venezia to arrive at the Buco di Viso, a historic tunnel under the Traversette pass. You then enter France, going down the path that leads to the Refuge du Viso, in the Queyras park.

Altitude difference: 900+, 1100-, 14 km, approximately 7 hours of actual walking.

Meals: B/-/D

Departure on 09/16/2024:

Trekking to the San Chiaffredo pass and the Vallanta refuge

Leaving the Sagnete pass on the right, continue almost on a slight slope up to the Gallarino pass (2,727 m.) and then the San Chiaffredo pass (2,764 m.), particular for all the "rock men" climbed up by the hikers of ride. Stop near the pass and then long descent towards the Vallanta valley, with the beautiful Rocca Jarea on the left. Returning to lower altitudes at Grange del Rio (1,988 m), we go up the river into the Vallanta valley. The panorama is spectacular, with the imposing rocky peaks of the Viso satellites and its wall West, with the famous Dice. Arrival at Rifugio Vallanta (2,450 m.) in the afternoon.

Difference in altitude: 600+, 14 km, 5-6 hours of actual walking.

Meals: B/-/D

Departure on 19/07/2024:

You will cross the pastures which then lead to the stony ground that leads to the Vallanta pass, nestled under Visolotto and the north-west face of Monviso. Once back in Italy, you descend to the Vallanta refuge and lake, and then continue along the long valley that leads back to Castello among pastures and woods.

Difference in altitude: 400+, 1300-, 13 km, approximately 4h30min of actual walking.

Meals: B/-/-

Departure on 06/09/2024:

Trekking to the Rifugio di Viso, Buco di Viso and Pian del Re

The morning begins with a beautiful climb up to the Vallanta pass (2,815 m.), from where the view is one of the most spectacular of the entire tour, then descending into French territory via a path on stony ground up to Lac Lesto, dominated by imposing rocky beatings.

Reached the Refuge du Viso (2,460 m.) where you have a well-deserved stop with a beautiful view

panorama, we continue the journey towards Colle delle Traversete and Buco di Viso.

Arrived just below the hill, if the Buco di Viso (2,882 m.) is not closed by snow and the participants wish to go through this small tunnel in the mountain (about 5 minutes), or go up to the Colle delle Traversete (2,950 m.) and then go down to the barracks of the same name, which is where you find the exit from the Hole, on the Italian side. From here you descend on a good path to Pian del Re, where this fantastic adventure ends around the King of Stone, a magical and fascinating mountain.

Difference in altitude: 900+, 13 km, 6-7 hours of actual walking.

Meals: B/-/-