Hiking – Roure lakes
Along the smugglers’ trails towards wild and little-visited lakes, at the foot of the imposing and wonderful Aiguille de Chambeyron with its small glaciers. The return takes place through the remote Ciabrera valley, where encounters with chamois and ibex are frequent.
Mail a letter at Colle Maurin! A mailbox instead of a border stone: from an idea by Nino Perino, historic alpine guide from Acceglio, a sign of friendship and brotherhood between the peoples of our Montagnes Sans Frontières.
The stretch between Rifugio Campo Base and Colle Maurin is part of two great trekking routes.
The Tour dello Chambeyron, a cross-border itinerary between Ubaye, Stura, and Maira, five days around the Brec and Aiguille de Chambeyron, starting from Maljasset, Larche, Chialvetta, or Campo Base.
The Sentiero Roberto Cavallero, a five-stage high-mountain itinerary for expert hikers, with bivouacs at altitude and sections of easy mountaineering through some of the wildest places of the Upper Maira Valley.
THE ITINERARY
Elevation gain: 870 m
Maximum altitude: Colle di Ciabrera, 2,830 m
Hiking time: 6 hours
This is a high-mountain loop starting from Grange Collet – 2,006 m – also reachable on foot in about 40 minutes from Campo Base. From the Grange, follow the main trail that, always keeping to the left, reaches Grangia Donadei – 2,154 m. After passing small hills and flat sections, in just over an hour you reach Lago della Sagna del Colle – 2,436 m and, with one final ramp, Colle Maurin – 2,637 m, a historic border crossing with France.
Ignoring the trail that descends toward Maljasset, continue along the faint path to the right, crossing the morainic ridges of ancient glaciers, until you spot the first of the five lakes, Lago Inferiore di Roure – 2,653 m, with a stunning view of the north face of the Aiguille de Chambeyron, the highest peak in the area. With the help of a hiking map, the other lakes can be easily reached.
To return to Valle Maira, follow the trail climbing back up the valley toward the reddish terrain of Colle di Ciabrera – 2,829 m, where sightings of chamois and ibex are common. The pass leads into a solitary valley, interrupted by a long meadow, at the end of which you must keep left to avoid a dangerous and exposed section, reaching with a few switchbacks the Vallone dell’Autaret trail, descending from Colle di Bellino. The path, now wide and well-marked again, quickly leads back to the starting point.
Mountain sports are potentially dangerous activities and should only be undertaken with the proper equipment and preparation. We recommend checking the weather and avalanche forecasts before setting off on a hike and/or contacting a guide for accompaniment. Campo Base S.r.l. disclaims any responsibility for the advice and itineraries provided here, which should be personally assessed based on weather and snow conditions.