Rifugio Cirie’ - Balme - Balme Trek Tour 2nd day Lago Ru E Mercurin

Classic outing to Lago Ru and Lago Mercurin, on the sunny side overlooking Pian della Mussa. It also coincides with the second stage of Balme Trek Tour, a two days ring trekking at Val d’Ala’s head. The itinerary crosses two pasture hut clusters and proceeds at middle slope to reach Lago del Ru. From here, the descent to Balme is through a steep trail. In case of a daily trip from Pian della Mussa, the descent is following backwards the ascent itinerary.

Indications

Suggested period

Mid June – end of September snowfields may be found in the traverses to reach Lago del Ru and along the descent couloir toward Balme.

Starting point

Balme

Elevation gain

+870 m ; - 365 m

Difficulty

E - EE

Travel time

6 hrs

Trail indication

BTT, 226, 226A, 227, 228

Recommended for

Skilled hikers

Access

From Rifugio Città di Ciriè at Pian della Mussa or from the parking area in front Ristorante Bricco at the center of the plateau, Grange della Mussa locality.

Itinerary

Take the trail starting in proximity of Rifugio Ciriè. Shortly after you will enter in a small valley and through a steep trail you will reach Pian Ciamarella. Follow the stream and after having overtaken some grassy bumps you will be in sight of Alpe of Pian Ciamarella. Turn to the right (E) in direction of what looks as a wide pass. From this point, follow, always to the East, the track that with a diagonal climb leads to Alpe della Rossa.

Iitinerary/ difficulty E: From Alpe della Rossa turn right, southwards. After a short almost flat path, start the descent which, with a crossing towards the right and then directly southwards, leads to the pasture huts of Alpe Rulè. Keep on descending zigzagging in larch wood so as to exit in the pastures at the back of Grange della Mussa.

For a day trip to the lakes, starting from Ristorante Bricco, you will have to travel this itinerary backwards.

Return itinerary to Balme / E: Follow the county road downhill for about 1 km until you cross a small bridge just below the La Masinà Agritourism, at the beginning of Pian della Mussa. After a few meters, just before the second bridge, follow a short steep climb to the right leading to the vicinity of a typical votive pillar. From this point strictly follow the mule track that, having flanked the Bogone hamlet, will shortly take you back to Balme.

Itinerary/difficulty EE: From Alpe della Rossa, follow the track that turns left (NE) and, having cut through some pastures, enters in a rocky area to cross a small valley and climbs the opposite side. From this point, crossing wide rubble areas, you will arrive at Lago del Ru. Follow the tracks that, climbing diagonally to the right, reach a pass from which you will enjoy the beautiful Lago Mercurin panorama. Turn right (S) and follow the tracks along the crest until, further down, you meet again the trail leading to Lago Mercurin. From here, always to the right (W), you will shortly reach the valley along which the long and steep descent itinerary develops. Overtake some grassy areas and some rocky banks, paying attention, on the steepest parts, to unstable stones and some ledges that may be damp and slippery. Cross the Rio del Ru so as to regain the trail on the right, just after a rock prong called “dog head” due to its shape. In this area there are many interesting rock engravings. The descent continues on a barren and steep slope until the great antenna repeater. Now you will cross again the stream and go along the Ginevrè practice cliff rocks. After a short steep descent through grasslands you will reach Balme, in the vicinity of Antico Albergo Camussot, and consequently find your car parked on the main square.