Hiking – Frassati Trail
The Visaisa and Apzoi lakes, the fortifications of the Alpine Wall, and the high plateaus wedged between the cliffs of Oronaye and Sautron: a rich and rewarding hike along the itinerary dedicated to the blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati from Turin, son of the founder of La Stampa and a deep connoisseur of the mountains.
The military road followed on the way down is one of the most spectacular in the Valley. Built between 1940 and 1943 using more than 250 men as part of a massive expansion project of the Alpine Wall, it was completed for five of the six planned kilometers. The armistice of September 8th interrupted the works, which were never resumed.
Shortly after Saretto, heading toward Sorgenti del Maira, the Military Cemetery is worth a visit. Built in 1940 to bury the dead of the Italian–French conflict, it was severely damaged by an avalanche in 1952. In 1955 the remains were returned to their families. Today, the remains of the monument to the fallen and a large wooden cross, weathered by time, remain as a memory of the lives lost in the conflict.
Many of those soldiers were part of the Border Guard, whose motto “Dei Sacri Confini Guardia Sicura” still stands on the base of the flagpole at the defensive barracks of Passo della Cavalla.
THE ITINERARY
Elevation gain: 930 m
Maximum altitude: Passo della Cavalla, 2,539 m
Hiking time: 5 hours
The itinerary starts at the Sorgenti del Maira, reachable by car from Saretto. From the parking area, take the marked trail that in a few minutes joins the military road Saretto – Grange Pausa. Cross it and continue uphill through the larch forest with numerous switchbacks, leading to a saddle at an elevation of 2,001 m overlooking Lago Visaisa. Nearby are the remains of the Albergo Rifugio Principi di Piemonte, burned in 1924, and the remains of a military cableway. The trail continues with a long traverse to the left and a series of steeper switchbacks, reaching the flat area at the base of the imposing north face of Auto Vallonasso. A few dozen meters further and, with a short detour, you reach Bivacco Bonelli – 2,330 m. The view over Lago d’Apzoi, nestled beneath the debris gullies of Monte Oronaye, is of exceptional beauty. Back on the main trail, you enter a vast grassy plateau, passing near several Alpine Wall underground centers, damaged by the demolitions imposed by the 1947 peace treaty. A final mid-slope traverse leads to Passo della Cavalla – 2,539 m. At the pass, you can see the four blocks of Centers 4 and 5, numerous fences, and the rainwater collection tanks for the barracks below. From the pass, heading toward Colle Aguya and then along the ridge, Monte Soubeyran – 2,701 m is easily reachable.
After crossing the pass – with snow remaining until late in the season – the descent begins along the military mule track that, after skirting Punta Bessiè, drops into the Vallone della Pausa, wedged between the imposing cliffs of Viraysse and Sautron. After leaving the mule track, the descent continues through the grassy hills of the Prati del Murtier, until it rejoins, near Grange Pausa, the military road which, with five switchbacks supported by massive retaining walls and a long panoramic traverse, leads back to the Sorgenti del Maira.
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.