Sentiero Balcone Basso della Val d'Ala

This is an easy itinerary, with ups and downs and a southern exposure, which makes it accessible all year around, in winter with snow-shoes. The fact that it may be easily reached from several hamlets (Mondrone, Martassina, Cesaletti and Pian del Tetto) allows interesting loop hikes. Should you get tired, you can always relax lying down in the clearings, always paying attention to the masche (dialect word for witches) who, according to the legend, live in these places.

Indications

Suggested period

All year around, except in presence of particularly heavy snowfalls.

Starting point

Ala di Stura - Martassina hamlet

Elevation gain

abt 1000 m

Difficulty

Travel time

abt 4 hrs

Recommended for

Hikers
Families

Access

Having overtaken Ala di Stura and the Cresto hamlet, cross the Martassina residential area until the Grotta della Vergine Maria. Park the car in the area in front of the sanctuary.

Itinerary

Climb to Laietto (1519 m) through the dirt road beginning just after the Martassina Sanctuary, turn right (E) and follow the trail to La Tea pasture (1520 m). The itinerary passes uphill of the huts, continues in the wood and exits on the Pian Fè plain (1489 m). Do not take the dirt road at the end of the plain but proceed following the track that enters the bush. Just a bit further on you will find the Picot pasture ruins (1503 m), and cross two small creeks (Chianale creek). Proceed descending of about one hundred meters until reaching a small clearance. From this point, in about 20 minutes, you will arrive at Pian d’Attia (1382 m). Flank the meadows below the huts and, neglecting the dirt road to Ala di Stura, go straight entering the trail that enters the vegetation. Wade across a small stream and slightly descend towards the Cà Boin buildings (1246 m). From here, descend the trail to the Pian del Tetto road, cross the paved road and follow the beautiful mule track, on the opposite side, so as to reach the Ala di Stura Piazza Centrale (1075 m).

Should you leave from Ala di Stura, follow the itinerary backwards.