EVERGREEN VALLE VARAITA
EVERGREEN
The Classic Experiences of the Varaita Valley
The Sempreverdi Experiences by Viso A Viso are the “classic” hiking routes of Monviso Park.
In the heart of the Cottian Alps, the park preserves landscapes of extraordinary beauty, unique biodiversity, and ancient traces of human presence. Hiking experiences in this protected area offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in authentic natural environments, crossing forests, alpine pastures, and valleys shaped by water and time.
The Alevè Forest
An Immersive Experience in the Forest with All Five Senses
Spanning 820 hectares on the southern slope of the Monviso massif, the Alevè Forest stretches between 1,500 and 2,600 meters above sea level across the municipalities of Casteldelfino, Pontechianale, and Sampeyre. It represents a unique and precious forest formation for the entire Alpine region.
It is the southernmost “pure” Swiss pine forest in Europe, with origins dating back to the great Quaternary glaciations. It was mentioned in Virgil’s Aeneid and in Pliny the Elder’s Historia Naturalis.
The Alevè Forest is a true natural treasure set in a mountain landscape of remarkable ecological interest. It is located within Monviso Park and has been listed in the seed forest registry since 1949. It was already a protected area during the times of the ancient Romans.
When: Day hike (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) throughout the year (snow conditions must be checked in winter).
Description:
- Route: Fraz. Castello di Pontechianale – Lago Secco – Lago Bagnour – Fraz. Castello di Pontechianale
- Elevation gain: 450 m
- Starting altitude: Fraz. Castello, Pontechianale 1,580 m a.s.l.
- Maximum altitude: Lago Bagnour 2,017 m a.s.l.
- Difficulty: Hike without technical difficulties; requires moderate physical condition and readiness for mountain trail walking. The ascent is short but fairly steep. Approximately suitable for children aged 8 and above.
Required equipment:
Hiking boots or trekking shoes, layered clothing suitable for variable conditions (windproof shell/jacket, fleece, gloves), sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, packed lunch (or possibility of lunch at a mountain hut). In winter, snowshoes or crampons may also be needed.
Activity costs:
- Coordination and guiding: €250 (up to 12 people)
- Packed lunch (optional): Barachin dell'Alpinista at Segnavia €10 (sandwich, energy bar, beer or soft drink or juice)
- Aperitif at Segnavia (optional): At the end of the hike, enjoy a buffet apericena at €15 (including the first drink)
- VERT – mountain shop (optional): On the day of the hike, enjoy a 5% discount on all VERT products, the mountain shop hosted by Segnavia
The Sundials of Bellino
Nature, Culture, and Architecture
The municipality of Bellino is the highest in the Varaita Valley, together with Pontechianale, and is made up of 10 villages built in traditional Alpine stone and wood architecture. Known as the “village of sundials,” Bellino is famous for the large number of ancient sundials set in an extraordinary landscape of villages harmoniously arranged along the slopes in unspoiled nature.
Bellino’s gnomonic heritage consists of 34 sundials, carefully restored and visible on the walls of houses and religious buildings; the oldest dates back to 1734.
This is a naturalistic and cultural excursion to discover the Bellino Valley, its architecture, and its many sundials.
When: Day hike (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) from June to October, depending on weather conditions.
Description:
- Route: Fraz. Pusterle di Casteldelfino – Villages of Ribiera, Chiesa, Fontanile, Prafauchier, Celle, Chiazale, Pian Melezè, and Sant’Anna
- Elevation gain: 600 m
- Starting altitude: Fraz. Pusterle, Casteldelfino 1,400 m a.s.l.
- Maximum altitude: Borgata Sant’Anna 1,800 m a.s.l.
- Difficulty: Hike without technical difficulties; requires moderate physical condition and readiness for mountain trail walking. Approximately suitable for children aged 10 and above.
Required equipment:
Hiking boots or trekking shoes, layered clothing suitable for variable conditions (windproof shell/jacket, fleece, gloves), sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, packed lunch.
Activity costs:
- Coordination and guiding: €250 (up to 12 people)
- Packed lunch (optional): Barachin dell'Alpinista at Segnavia €10 (sandwich, energy bar, beer or soft drink or juice)
- Aperitif at Segnavia (optional): At the end of the hike, enjoy a buffet apericena at €15 (including the first drink)
- VERT – mountain shop (optional): On the day of the hike, enjoy a 5% discount on all VERT products, the mountain shop hosted by Segnavia
The Lakes of Chianale
The lake area above Chianale is an incredible treasure of beauty and peace. A series of basins, carved by ancient glaciers, are now home to alpine lakes.
Lago Bleu, Lago Nero, and the Bes Lakes: a multitude of water mirrors reflecting the most iconic peaks of this part of the valley, including the Real Tour, Roc della Niera, and always accompanied by the view of Monviso.
A high-altitude naturalistic hike, through the beauty of alpine meadows, with the possibility to observe the most iconic animals of this environment: ibex, chamois, eagles…
When: Day hike (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM) from June to October, depending on weather conditions.
Description:
- Route: Fraz. Chianale di Pontechianale – Lago Bleu – Col Longet and Bes Lakes – Lago Nero – Fraz. Castello di Pontechianale
- Elevation gain: 950 m
- Starting altitude: Fraz. Chianale, Pontechianale 1,800 m a.s.l.
- Maximum altitude: Col Longet 2,649 m a.s.l.
- Difficulty: Challenging hike; requires good physical condition and stamina, as the ascent takes about 3 hours, and readiness for mountain trail walking. Approximately suitable for children aged 12 and above.
Required equipment:
Hiking boots or trekking shoes, layered clothing suitable for variable conditions (windproof shell/jacket, fleece, gloves), sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, packed lunch.
Activity costs:
- Coordination and guiding: €250 (up to 12 people)
- Packed lunch (optional): Barachin dell'Alpinista at Segnavia €10 (sandwich, energy bar, beer or soft drink or juice)
- Aperitif at Segnavia (optional): At the end of the hike, enjoy a buffet apericena at €15 (including the first drink)
- VERT – mountain shop (optional): On the day of the hike, enjoy a 5% discount on all VERT products, the mountain shop hosted by Segnavia
The Pluf Loop
“THERE’S ROOM IN THE FOREST” is a story about the fantastic creatures that live in the Monviso Valleys, along the Pluf loop trail in the forests of Venasca.
From the center of Venasca, in about ten minutes you reach the Chapel of San Firmino, where the story begins and you meet the mountain sarvanòt. In the final stage, near Meira Isaia, you arrive at Pluf’s little house and discover the ending of the tale.
When: Half-day hike (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM) all year round (depending on weather conditions).
Elevation gain: 150 m
Difficulty: Easy hike with no technical challenges, specially designed for families with walking children. The route starts from the center of Venasca and follows the loop trail from the Chapel of San Firmino. The total length is 5 km, with a 150 m elevation gain. Approximately suitable for children aged 4 to 12.
Required equipment:
Hiking boots or trekking shoes, layered clothing suitable for variable conditions (windproof shell/jacket, fleece, gloves), sunglasses and sunscreen, water bottle, packed lunch.
Activity costs:
-
Coordination and guiding: €180 (up to 12 people)
-
Lunch at Segnavia (optional): appetizer + first course €15
-
VERT – mountain shop (optional): On the day of the hike, enjoy a 5% discount on all VERT products, the mountain shop hosted by Segnavia
For information, contact andrea.fenoglio@visoaviso.it