GTA Through the Italian Alps - A Walker's Guidebook

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Updates
• Reviews
• Further Reading

September 2011

The route between Fé and Perebella, now well waymarked throughout so no longer any need to take the bus.
p144 When crossing the Orco and heading for the uphill turn LEFT and not right for Fe. At the first junction after about 50m turn right behind the school and follow the waymarks to a sign onto the "broad embankment " in the guide. From here clear new waymarks take you up past Coste. The path has been cleared and marked above here and cannot be missed but it's still hard work!

p145 After Sant'Anna when you reach the rusting sheds follow the "tempting track" of the book rather than ignore it. The book route is now almost impossible to find. Follow the waymarks for 10-15min and you reach a sign that directs you down a clear and recently cleared path to Perebella.
 
Thanks to Andrew Holmes

p132 A summer bus runs W (not E) to Pian della Mussa.
 
p136 the owner of Ristorante Setugrino at Pialpetta will evidently drive walkers up to Rivotti for a modest fee, thus shortening the day.
 
p141 Albergo Gran Paradiso at Noasca reportedly has a charming receptionist now.
 
(Thanks to Peter Forrest)

September 2010

Reader's comment: thanks to Andrew Holmes

Maps. There is a new series of maps produced at1:25000 by fraternalieditoreltd (www.fraternalieditore.it) for much of the Piedmont mountain areas. These are hugely superior to IGC maps of the same scale especially in the accuracy of path information.

Stage 7 The bus link to Terme Di Valdieri is direct to Cuneo and not Borgo San Dalmazzo as stated.

Stage 19 Ghigo Di Prali has two accommodation choices and Pensione Miramonti 0121807920 is very good value and friendly.

Stage 20 There is a new accommodation option 40 minutes below Balsiglia which is the community owned La Foresteria Di Massello 0121808678. This offers dormitory or individual rooms in a new building with good food and very good rates. Good library with wildlife videos! The manager will run you to Balsiglia.

Stage 21 The "limited groceries" entry for Usseaux should read "no groceries" No longer any shop.

August 2010

Part II

Stage 16
Rif Sella www.rifugiosella.it  

Stage 17
p106 the final stretch to Rif Barbara Lowrie is overgrown and totally obstructed in several places by fallen trees.

Stage 18
Rif Jervis www.rifugiojervis.it

Stage 20
p115 Signora Tron will provide meals (phone ahead 349 1813364)

Stage 22
Usseaux posto tappa www.pzit-rei.it

Stage 23
Sentiero Balcone from Salbertrand to Susa is reportedly overgrown.
Susa hotel www.hotelsusa.it

Thanks to Peter Forrest (July 2010)

January 2010

p49 Rifugio Mondovi was extensively renovated in 2008

p53 Colle di Tenda - nearby Bar Le Marmotte does delicious meals and snacks and will ring down to the Edelweiss guesthouse who come and pick up guests.

p57 In the vicinity of Gias della Barma (1640m) keep on the L bank opposite the massive limestone slab of Costa Lausea pitted with tiny nummulite fossils. You wind down the steep valley to huts and and a fountain.
At Palanfré - there is no longer a shuttle bus to Vernante

p60 Trinità - Locanda del Sorriso www.locandadelsorriso.com

p65 Rifugio Genova www.rifugiogenova.it

p69 Rifugio Morelli-Buzzi has changed management - and is still hospitable

p71 The beech wood was damaged by avalanches in the winter of 2008-09 due to unusually heavy snowfalls.
On Piano del Valasco - Rifugio Valasco www.rifugiovalasco.it tel cell 348 3230266

p78 Sant'Anna di Vinadio www.santuariosantanna.it Renovations mean a good choice of accommodation is now available.

p110 Villanova Posta Tappa has been revamped and is brighter

p120 Rifugio Arlaud www.rifugioarlaud.it stays open until 23/9

p130 Stage 25: Albergo La Furnasa at Villaretto (Usseglio) has been recommended (Via 24 maggio 16, tel 0123 83854)

p166 Rifugio Rosazza www.rifugiorosazza.altervista.org tel cell 339 4602133

Readers' comments:

From Kath Irving & Bill Dale (2008)
Stage 17 to Rif. Barbara Lowrie. We found this a hard day. The descent from Colle della Gianna (p. 106) was through a recent vast cascade of white rocks and boulders. The red/white marks are there and a path is becoming re-established but it was very slow going.
Stage 19 to Ghigo. There are some changes to the route here. After the GTA turns off at the bend in the track at the beginning, it goes up through the wood but only for a short distance. It emerges on to an enormous new bulldozed track, with no signs at all. We turned right, which was the right decision, and followed the track to some derelict houses where it stopped and we picked up a mark. The marks sent us uphill to the left on a narrow path through grass with the odd faded mark, to a grassy ridge and an old hut and then on to the established 4WD track. This wound uphill to a new T junction - with not a sign in sight anywhere! We turned left and continued to twist our way up to Collette Faure. A marked path lead down from here but very soon it joined a new bulldozed track. This could only be the one that went right at the T junction. So had we turned right there, we would have wound round to the same point but missing out Collette Faure. This new track really is a scar on the landscape, although hopefully it will soften in time. There are no marks and it continues right up to the deserted village Bergerie Giulian, where it stops and the marks start again to lead you uphill through a farm area and on towards the col.

From Peter Forrest (Nov 2009)
It is just possible to get to Viozene and then Rifugio Mongioie in a day's travel from the UK using the Ryanair flight from Stansted, although it's a convoluted journey (plane/bus/train/bus/taxi/walk).
The train-line from Turin airport to Turin centre is currently closed due to major infrastructure works. However, the better option anyway is to take the bus from the stand opposite the taxi rank. This cheap and frequent service runs direct to Porta Nuova station.
The single-track railway from Ceva to Ormea does not run for much of the summer: only during school term-time and on special days. There is, however, a replacement bus service.
This arrives at Ormea too late to catch the last bus to Viozene. It is c.30 euros by taxi to Viozene (tel no as per the guide). From Viozene it is but a short walk to Rifugio Mongioie, arriving c.12hrs after check-in at Stansted.
p47 The pretty Himalayan-style bridge shown on p43 of the GTA Guide was brought down by an avalanche 2 winters ago and crossing involves an interesting scramble across the rocks and stream, the latter probably being tricky early in the season. A mountain ranger advised that the bridge's rebuilding is uncertain.

Many thanks also to Martin & Sue Banfield - as well as the above readers naturally - for taking the time to let me know of changes. (Apologies if I've forgotten anyone!)

July 2008

Limone
p53+199 tel no for Limone Tourist Office changed to 0171 925280

San Giacomo
p62  The Foresteria at San Giacomo is now operating with evening meals provided by the restaurant though the camping ground remains valid as well

Piano di Valasco
p71 On Piano di Valasco the casa di caccia hunting pavilion has been transformed into Rifugio Valasco open 15/6-15/9 rooms with private bath + dorms tel C/O Rif. Questa 0171 97338

October 2007

p57 Palanfré: Albergo del Parco tel. mobile 334 3052503

p62 San Giacomo: while the Foresteria is closed, walkers get a warm welcome from Luca at the camping ground tel. mobile 349 7305438. A large tent and home cooking is provided. Baita Monte Gelas doesn't do dinners for the time being.
A summer shuttle bus goes to Entracque.

p66 exit route to Lago della Rovina - a summer shuttle bus provides a link with Entracque.

p72 Rif Questa now has an inside toilet!

p76 from Rif Malinvern the path begins a short way down the track from the hut.

p84 Sambuco: the Posta Tappa is no longer at hotel/restaurant Osteria della Pace but now C/O Racletterie La Meridiana (via Umberto 35) tel. 0171 96650, sleeps 15.

p84 Pontebernardo has an interesting museum of pastoral life in a building next to the church.