The Monviso Tour is a trial around one of the most beautiful mountains of the Alps.
The tour may last three or four days with different routes. It starts from Castello di Pontechianale (Cuneo) in Val Varaita or from Pian del Re (Cuneo) in Val Po being host of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) refuges “Quintino Sella”, “Vallanta”, “Giacoletti” and the French Alpine Club (CAF) refuge “Monviso”.

We left from Pian del Re for a three-day tour.

 

HOW TO GET TO PIAN DEL RE: Pian del Re is a stretch of level land close to the Monviso and place where the spring of the Po river is officially located. Motorway A6 Savona-Torino, gate: Bra. Road to Saluzzo following the traffic signs for Val del Po. Once in Crissolo, follow the Pian del Re signs. Look out! in summer the road for Pian del Re may be closed                  for private cars or its access strongly limited due to                  environmental reasons.

 

OUR ROUTE:
1st DAY (2h 30')	Pian del Re (2.020 mt) Viso Mozzo Rifugio Sella (2.650 mt)
2nd DAY (5h 00')	Rifugio Sella (2.650 mt) Passo Gallarino (2.727 mt) Passo S. Chiaffredo (2.764 mt) Vallone Vallanta Rifugio Vallanta (2.430 mt)
3rd DAY (5h 15')	Rifugio Vallanta (2.430 mt) Passo Vallanta (2.811 mt) Buco del Viso / Col de la Traversette (2.950 mt) Pian del Re (2.020 mt)

 

The beginning was not very exciting. The weather in Pian del Re was terrible. Luckily the first stage is rather short. After 2h30’ we got to the Sella Refuge, ex military centre for the Savoia's Alpini Corp and next, first CAI refuge named Quintino Sella in honor of the CAI founder.

Some hikers preferred to get to the refuge riding... LAMAS! I have not a clue where they could get them but it's clear that it's possible to rent them.
It's also possible to hire monkeys for loading your own stuff. For more information, click on the Italian Association for monkey and mule exploitation web site!

Their reception was nice. The refuge is well maintained and you may have services (i.e. hot shower) hard to find in other refuges at similar height. However, from our and our friends' little experience, we suggest to know the CAI official price list in advance. We paid 7,20 Euros for 1 litre and a quarter of hot tea to put into our flasks. It was 7.30 in the morning and our brains were still sleeping. Not only ours, I guess...