Sambuco – Strepeis

Sambuco 1184 m – Colletto 2241 m – Besmorello 1451 m – Strepeis 1281

This section is a little tiring, but very rewarding. The most interesting part is the ascent through the magnificent silver fir wood. A remarkable view over the mountains of the upper Valle Stura and the deep valleys that you will cross in the next sections.

From the small square of Sambuco 1184 m, head west following the carriage road that crosses the town, makes two hairpin bends, then enters the meadows, passes the small cemetery surrounding the small church of San Giacomo (13th century) and reaches the S.S. 21 of Colle della Maddalena. Once you have crossed the state road, go down to cross the bridge over the Stura, then continue for about 50 meters on the asphalt road that connects Sambuco to Pontebernardo. After leaving the carriage road, take the good path that enters the splendid silver fir forest, rich in undergrowth especially in the clearings, bearing first to the left, then to the right until you cross the asphalt road. Now the path bears sharply to the left until reaching a stony clearing. Here you go up for a short distance to go around the scree itself. At this point (approximately 1500 m) you need to be very careful because you have to abandon the most obvious path (which continues to the right, almost flat) to take the small path that branches off to the left towards the large drinking water intake at 1517 m (last source beyond the hill), but immediately above the pool you find the good path that continues on the left, alternating stretches of slight slope with short climbs, large clearings and thick woods. At an altitude of approximately 1800 m, the forest becomes less dense and the fir forest gives way to a few specimens of larch. At this point the path changes direction, heading decidedly south-west. After an initial stretch in a pasture area, a long climb begins on not too obvious trail traces among isolated rhododendrons and larches. At the end of the tiring climb you reach a series of stony plateaus, after which (approximately 2100m) the path returns to the left with a completely relaxing route.

In a few minutes you reach a ridge from which you can see the ruins of the military barracks located a little higher up, on the wide ridge that rises to Monte Vaccia. You then cross the large natural amphitheater halfway up the slope, leaving the few ruins (2165m) of an abandoned mountain pasture below. The whole area is populated by numerous marmots. Thus you reach the wide and grassy Colletto 2241 m. characterized by the presence of numerous military barracks, now completely in ruins, 4.00 hours. Passing near the barracks themselves, the path now a mule track takes you to the ridge that overlooks the steep slopes overlooking Bagni di Vinadio. The area is characterized by the presence of a large mountain pine plantation. From the ridge you can enjoy an excellent view of the valleys that go from Ischiator to the Bravaria pass. From the collar a beautiful mule track departs which, with a flat route, crosses the mountain pine reforestation and then begins (beautiful source above the mule track) the descent in the middle of a beautiful spruce forest. The mule track, after a short stretch in the fir forest, continues on the very sunny rocky ridge making an endless series of short hairpin bends. About halfway down you come across the first beech trees, then you cross a stream twice and finally you arrive at the beginning (1650 m) of the wide meadows that surround the mountain pastures. Here the mule track is difficult due to the many stones. We proceed among a stony ground, in the shade of large ash trees. A little further down we reach the small village of Luca 1550m, with renovations in stone and wood (once the roofs were covered with straw).

Passing among the houses you go down to cross the wooden bridge over the Ischiator stream 1445 m, then in a few minutes you reach the asphalted road and the town of Besmorello 1451 m, a beautiful village located upstream from the large town of Bagni di Vinadio . You then follow the carriage road up to the bend located above the village of Strepeis. Here you take a path that in a few minutes leads to the small village of Strepeis 1281 m where the Strepeis Hotel is located; 2.30 hours. The toponym Strepeis means outside the town, far from Bagni

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