Refuge Genova – Terme di Valdieri

Rifugio Genova 2020 m – Colle del Chiapous 2526 m – Gias Lagarot 1917 m – Terme di Valdieri 1368 m

A striking section, that follows the northern side of the Argentera, where the severity of the landscape contrasts with the work of man that curbed the forces of nature to produce energy.

It is advisable to leave from the Genova refuge early in the morning for two main reasons: the first because in summer in these areas fog and thunderstorms occur in the hottest hours of the day and you would therefore lose the opportunity to admire everything that the route offers; secondly, because this is one of the areas of Argentera among the most frequented by chamois and the morning time will allow for more fortunate observation. From the refuge you return along the dirt track that runs along the artificial lake of “Chiotas” (formerly Pian del Chiotas) and head towards the imposing structures of the dam, go along the spillway and descend with a few hairpin bends on the asphalt road, where you turn left following it for a stretch and following it through a short tunnel dug into the rock which will end near the actual structure of the dam which you will cross in a north-west direction. At the end of this, some dirt tracks remaining after the construction works should not be misleading; follow the signs for the path, which in the first section identifies with the dirt track; it then winds for the first part between countless twists and turns in the midst of debris, stones and tufts of grass, on the orographic left of the Chiapous valley. It should be borne in mind that at the beginning of the climb towards the hill you are at the same altitude as the Genova refuge; It will therefore be necessary for this approach stretch, between observations on the dam and march, approximately 1.00 hour.

The climb to the Colle del Chiapous is done quite quickly and presents no difficulties even though it is on stony ground for two thirds of the entire stage. About two thirds of the way up the climb the path marked M9 moves to the orographic left where the traces of path no. branch off. 13 for the Porco pass. Continue westwards towards the hill, on extensive stony ground under which the torrent roars tumultuously and invisible, fed by the melting of the large snowfields which at this altitude, on the north facing slope, are present until late summer, and up beyond the hill. on the opposite side. It will therefore be advisable to pay particular attention to the signs in this section in case of fog, and to be equipped with adequate footwear for crossing some snowfields which however do not present dangers given the not excessive slope of the area subject to transit. This point offers the possibility of admiring the entire basin as a whole and the wealth of water that feeds it, due to a whole series of snowfields present in the chain of over three thousand meters that goes from the top of Brocan to the Argentera massif 3297 m. Near the hill the slope attenuates and after a stretch of path that appears and disappears on the edges of the snowfield you reach Colle del Chiapous 2526 m; 2.30 hours. As soon as you pass the hill, still on stony ground and snowfields, you come in sight of the Morelli refuge 2430 m, reachable in about 20 minutes (trail sign no. 8). The scree continues, but the path continues clearly visible under the refuge and constantly follows the orographic right of the Lourousa Valley. On the left is the Argentera massif with Punta Gelas di Lourousa 3261 m in the foreground, and as you move further away and descend the valley, the horizon widens, the stream, as if by magic, flows copiously from the rocks and in proximity to a vast plateau, just upstream from Gias Lagarol at around 2000 m; 1.15 hours the observation of the massif will be more complete. The imposing Gelas of Lourousa, 900 meters of glacier surrounded by sheer walls, is one of the favorite destinations for mountaineers. Go past crossroads no. 9 which goes up to the Varrone bivouac, starting point for many ascents.

On this stretch the descent temporarily eases and the path becomes less gravelly. We now gradually leave behind us the mountain belt dominated by conifers, to continue on the path (which now with narrow turns dives into the vegetation of the mountain plain which is very luxuriant here) in a thick and extraordinarily mixed forest as well as being fresh and pleasant, given also the loss of altitude that is now starting to be felt. Between one patch of vegetation and another you can glimpse the roofs of the Hotel Royal in Terme di Valdieri which you can reach very quickly. The path emerges on the asphalt road a stone’s throw from the spa; 1.15 hours. You enter the spa complex, the Casa Savoia Hiking Refuge Stopover is located after the Gran Hotel. .