Overview
Pleasant loop itinerary that crosses the woods of Ala di Stura, touching the alpine pastures of La Tea, Pianfé and Pian Attia, offering panoramic views of Uja di Mondrone and Monte Rosso. The route also allows you to discover some of the fine frescoes and sundials hidden among the narrow streets of the village of Ala di Stura.
Starting point
DirectionsThe trail starts in Frazione Martassina, along the provincial road near the junction for Frazione Tomà – from the parking area opposite the Sanctuary of Madonna di Lourdes, descend along the provincial road for a few meters until you meet the trail markers on the left.
In the first part the itinerary climbs steeply through the woods and then joins the dirt road coming from Località Laietto. Descending to the left along the dirt road you will encounter the alpine pastures of La Tea (1538 m), located opposite the imposing Monte Rosso; the itinerary instead continues to the right, climbing the cart track for a few meters and then rejoining the trail on the left.
Continue through the woods along the trail which, with some ups and downs and flat sections, reaches the pastures of Pianfé (1487 m).
After passing the houses of Pianfé continue eastward along a grassy track that soon joins a cart track. Turn left and follow the cart track uphill until you meet the junction for Pian Attia on the right.
Continue along the dirt road on the level until it becomes a trail again. This section also runs through the woods, with a pleasant route at mid-slope that descends gently toward Pian Attia offering beautiful views of Uja di Mondrone.
Arriving at Pian Attia (1393 m), the trail turns right onto the cart track and then enters among the huts on the left. Continue downhill toward a white pillar and cross a wide meadow in its lower part until you intercept the dirt road again on the right.
Cross the road and continue straight into the woods in the direction of Pian del Tetto (trail markers). Continue along the new section of trail at mid-slope that meets Cà Boin and then descends southward along a mule track.
N.B.: During the descent, shortly before reaching a wooden bridge located near the paved road, you can make a detour to the left (several votive pillars present) and reach the hamlet of Pian del Tetto (1148 m), where there is a small church and numerous sundials and frescoes.
You then reach the paved road, which you cross to descend straight down a stairway. The route then continues on asphalt, skirting the Grand Hotel and descending along Via Pian del Tetto. At the church turn right and continue straight across the main square until you reach the junction for Frazione Villar (1062 m).
Once you reach the hamlet enter the narrow lanes of the village along the sundial itinerary, reaching the fine Perini fresco, located on the wall of a private house. After passing the group of houses continue along an old mule track that then descends onto the Nature Trail, which you must follow uphill toward Martassina, the starting point.
Curiosities
The frescoes and sundials of Ala di Stura
Between the main village of Ala di Stura and its surrounding hamlets lies one of the highest concentrations of frescoes and sundials in Italy and even in Europe.
Along the itinerary you will encounter a fine fresco by Oldrado Perini, painter and traveling monk to whom numerous religious works in the Valli di Lanzo are attributed between 1575 and 1588. The fresco, located on the external wall of a private house, is dated 1577. The painting depicts on the left the Madonna with Child seated on a wooden throne; on the right of the fresco, on another wooden throne, sits God the Father holding the cross on which Christ stands, surmounted by the dove of the Holy Spirit. Centrally, instead, rises the figure of Saint Maurice with armor, sword and crossed banner. The clothing of the subjects and the decorations in the background recall the sixteenth-century style.
