A guidebook to trekking the Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA) from the Nufenen Pass on the Swiss border to Ventimiglia on the Mediterranean coast. Covering 809km (503 miles), this often overlooked long-distance trek through the western Italian Alps takes around 2 months to hike and is suitable for experienced alpine trekkers.

The route is described from north to south in 55 stages, each between 7 and 26km (4–16 miles) in length. The route is divided into 3 sections with transport options given for those wanting to break the trek into shorter sections.

• GPX files available to download
• 1:100,000 maps included for each stage
• Handy route summary tables help you plan your itinerary
• Refreshment and accommodation information given for each trek stage

Map key

Overview map

Mountain safety

Route summary table

Introduction

The GTA route

The sections and stages

Weather and when to go

Getting there and back

Local transport

Hiking the GTA

Waymarking and maps

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Preparation and safety

Language

Italy’s Western Alps

History

Plants and flowers

Wildlife

How to use this guide

Section 1: GTA North – Nufenen Pass to Quincinetto

Stage 1 Nufenen Pass to Rifugio Margaroli

Stage 2 Rifugio Margaroli to Alpe Devero

Stage 3 Alpe Devero to Alpe Veglia

Stage 4 Alpe Veglia to Varzo

Stage 5 Varzo to Rifugio San Bernardo

Stage 6 Rifugio San Bernardo to Alpe Cheggio

Stage 7 Alpe Cheggio to Molini

Stage 8 Molini to Campello Monti

Stage 9 Campello Monti to Rifugio Alpe Baranca

Stage 10 Rifugio Alpe Baranca to Carcoforo

Stage 11 Carcoforo to Rima

Stage 12 Rima to Rifugio Valle Vogna

Stage 13 Rifugio Valle Vogna to Rifugio Rivetti

Stage 14 Rifugio Rivetti to S. San Giovanni

Stage 15 S. San Giovanni to S. di Oropa

Stage 16 S. di Oropa to Trovinasse

Stage 17 Trovinasse to Quincinetto

Section 2: GTA Central – Quincinetto to Castello

Stage 18 Quincinetto to Fondo

Stage 19 Fondo to Piamprato

Stage 20 Piamprato to Ronco Canavese

Stage 21 Ronco Canavese to Talosio

Stage 22 Talosio to San Lorenzo

Stage 23 San Lorenzo to Ceresole Reale

Stage 24 Ceresole Reale to Pialpetta

Stage 25 Pialpetta to Balme

Stage 26 Balme to Usseglio

Stage 27 Usseglio to Il Trucco

Stage 28 Il Trucco to Susa

Stage 29 Susa to Alpe Toglie

Stage 30 Alpe Toglie to Usseaux

Stage 31 Usseaux to Balsiglia

Stage 32 Balsiglia to Ghigo di Prali

Stage 33 Ghigo di Prali to Villanova

Stage 34 Villanova to Rifugio Barbara Lowrie

Stage 35 Rifugio Barbara Lowrie to Rifugio Quintino Sella

Stage 36 Rifugio Quintino Sella to Castello

Section 3: GTA South – Castello to Ventigmilia

Stage 37 Castello to Rifugio Meleze

Stage 38 Rifugio Meleze to Chiappera

Stage 39 Chiappera to Rifugio della Gardetta

Stage 40 Rifugio della Gardetta to Sambuco

Stage 41 Sambuco to Strepeis

Stage 42 Strepeis to Rifugio Malinvern

Stage 43 Rifugio Malinvern to Terme di Valdieri

Stage 44 Terme di Valdieri to Rifugio Genova-Figari

Stage 45 Rifugio Genova-Figari to San Giacomo

Stage 46 San Giacomo to Trinita

Stage 47 Trinita to Palanfrè

Stage 48 Palanfrè to Limonetto

Stage 49 Limonetto to Rifugio Garelli

Stage 50 Rifugio Garelli to Upega

Stage 51 Upega to Monesi di Triora

Stage 52 Monesi di Triora to Colle Melosa

Stage 53 Colle Melosa to Rifugio Gola di Gouta

Stage 54 Rifugio Gola di Gouta to Rifugio Alta Via

Stage 55 Rifugio Alta Via to Ventimiglia

Appendix A Italian–English glossary

Appendix B Useful information

Seasons

The route is best walked from early June, when any snow on high passes is diminishing, until late-September, when declining weather, and limited accommodation becomes a factor.

Centres

Access local transport to key mountain trailheads from Airolo (Switzerland), Domodossola, Ivrea, Susa, Pinerolo, Saluzzo, Cuneo or Ventimiglia.

Difficulty

This route with strenuous daily ascent/descents is best for fit and experienced alpine trekkers. No special equipment is needed beyond good footwear and appropriate clothing, although trekking poles are recommended. It is a mountain route, however, with high passes daily so allow extra time initially for legs and lungs to acclimatise and strengthen.

Must See

High mountain passes, turquoise glacial lakes, summer meadows and alpine forest would be enough, even without the Walser culture, the Occitan valleys, Nebbiolo vineyards and the slow food movement. Ancient, cobbled ‘mulattiera’, pilgrim routes and fortifications add to the sense of history and the stories of the people that make this route so special.

August 2024

Stage 53

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