Overview
A panoramic loop starting from Rifugio La Masinà that includes an easy climb to the summit of Tovo, a rocky peak rising above Pian della Mussa. The itinerary crosses the wild Vallone di Saulera along the Sentiero del cacciatore (Hunter's Path).
Starting point
DirectionsClimb along the ramp of Rifugio La Masinà and pass it on the right to take the path that climbs steeply into the woods, passing several abandoned alpine pastures. After about 45 minutes, you reach Croce Perlo (2105 m), a wrought-iron Art Nouveau cross dedicated to Giuseppe Perlo, a Captain of the Alpini during the First World War; the cross was erected in memory of his disappearance during a ski trip.
Continue on the path past the cross until you reach a junction, marked by signposts, which leads right to Colletto del Tovo. The climb continues gently at first, with a traverse heading west, then with a short but steep uphill section leading to Colletto del Tovo (2216 m).
From the col, leave the main path to take a clear track that climbs northward up the broad slope of Tovo and leads very quickly to the summit where there is a small cross. From here you can admire the panorama over Bessanese, Ciamarella, Uja di Mondrone, Monte Rosso, the peaks surrounding Vallone di Saulera and Pian della Mussa.
Once back at the col, continue the descent towards the grassy clearing of Pian Saulera, until you reach Alpe Saulera (2082 m) ahead of you. Having reached the huts of the alpine pasture, keep to their right and take a track that enters a small coniferous wood.
The track then intersects path 2018A, which you should follow downhill towards the north. The path ends at a junction, marked by signposts, from which you can see the white Villa Sigismondi below on the left. At the junction, continue downhill and take the grassy track on the right that crosses Pian Rastel and runs flat along the base of Roc Neir, before descending into the meadow adjacent to the Trattoria Alpina.
Once you reach the trattoria, cross the square and return to the starting point along the paved road.
Curiosities
Legend has it that near Alpe Saulera, one Sunday, the best chamois hunter in Balme was trying in vain to hunt one, which however seemed immune to his shots. After a wild chase, the chamois finally fell dead to the ground, but by now the sun was high in the sky and the last mass in Balme had ended. Overcome with guilt for not having fulfilled his duty as a Christian, the hunter loaded the chamois onto his shoulders and began to descend toward Pian della Mussa, feeling greater fatigue with every step. "You're as heavy as the Devil!" the hunter shouted at a certain point, throwing the beast to the ground. At that moment the chamois came back to life and revealed itself to the hunter as the Demon, eager to take his soul. Feeling lost, he began to pray to Saint George to protect him; in return he would have a fresco painted on the outer wall of the church in Balme reconstructing what had happened. The hunter then returned to Balme, safe but frightened, thanking the Saint; as for the chamois-devil, the legend does not tell what became of it.
