From Balme the stage climbs the steep slopes typical of the Lanzo valleys, and leads to the Paschiet pass at 2435 metres. The pass leads from the Vale of Ala to the Vale of Viù, and the hamlet of Usseglio, well-known tourist resort at the bottom of the valley.
Detailed route description
From the village of Balme, cross the stream and follow the road to the hamlet of Cornetti (GTA and Sentiero Italia signs). A track climbs gently to the hamlet of Frè. It continues along the banks of the stream and then climbs the grassy slopes to the Verdi lakes. Beyond the lakes the slope is not as steep. After the Gandolfo bivouac the trail leads to the Paschiet pass, and into the Viù valley. Initially the descent is on a faint trail along steep green slopes. A short stretch climbs again to the Costa Fiorita pass and then the descent becomes steep to Usseglio, along a faint trail which sometimes disappears altogether. The trail hits the road at the bottom of the valley. Follow the road to the village of Usseglio.
(Regione Piemonte)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
The trail largely follows GTA stage 224. It is possible to climb to the following peaks: Torre d'Ovarda, Cima Chiavesso, the eastern and western peaks of Mount Ortetti.
Useful topographic maps
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2 ~ IGC Valli di Lanzo e Moncenisio (1: 50000)
Useful guidebooks
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Alpi Graie Meridionali, G.Berutto, L.Fornelli ~ CAI-TCI (ISBN 1980)
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Camminaitalia, Cannobini, Carnovalini, Valsesia ~ Le guide di Airone, Mondadori (ISBN 1995)
Last update : 2014-07-23
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