From Alpe Devero, locality ai Ponti, near the church, take the road that goes to the left; at the first bridge it is better to go to the opposite side of the stream and follow the dirt road that leads to the houses of Piedimonte, where there are several signs. After crossing the small locality, take the marked path that goes up into the woods to the right of the stream (orographic left) and reaches the huts of the lower Alpe Buscagna (1941 m). Then continue on the plateau along the wide path and reach the hut of Alpe Buscagna, (1967 m). Leave the path on the right that leads to the Bivacco Combi-Lanza and the Passo di Cornera, and continue on flat and then slightly uphill. Cross a scree following trail signs (path not very evident), then continue on a more marked track with a more determined slope between rhododendrons and sparse larches up to a second grassy plateau at about 2200 meters above sea level. Cross the whole plateau towards South and then start climbing again on grassy and then detrital terrain up to Scatta d’Orogna (2461 m). From Scatta d’Orogna the path first takes a short traverse on steep terrain, then lowers more easily to a beautiful plateau with a pond (2352 m) and then descends further towards the Bondolero Valley. Then cross a small rocky spur at the base (a slightly exposed passage, equipped with a chain) to go up under the looming walls of Pizzo Moro until you reach Passo di Valtendra (2431 m). From Passo di Valtendra you go down to East, first skirting a small snowy lake and then going down a steep slope of grass and debris along an well-marked path. You reach Pian Sass Mor and the track runs alongside it on the left to a beautiful fountain (around 2070 m) where there is a signposted crossroads: go down to the right and reach Pian du Scricc, where there is a large renovated hut. The path passes the hut and continues on the opposite side of the plateau (orographic right), then enters a beautiful larch forest. Continue along the Rio Frua on our left until you reach the large Alpe Veglia plain at the houses of Cornù; before arriving there is a detour to the left which leads directly to the Città di Arona refuge (1760 m).
THE TOUR:
Great Crossing of the Alps - GTA: Northern Piedmont Section
THE STAGES OF THIS TOUR:
GTA Stage 1: Cannobio - Falmenta
GTA Stage 2: Falmenta - Malesco
GTA Stage 3: Malesco - Fondomonfracchio
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell'Isorno Stage 3A: Malesco - Alpe Cortevecchio
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell’Isorno Stage 3B: Alpe Cortevecchio - Alpe Lago
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell'Isorno Stage 3C: Alpe Lago - Campo Valle Maggia
GTA Stage 4: Fondomonfracchio - Capanna Alpe Arena
GTA Stage 5: Capanna Alpe Arena - Campo Valle Maggia
GTA Stage 6: Campo Valle Maggia - Bosco Gurin
GTA Stage 7: Bosco Gurin - Formazza Loc. Ponte
GTA Stage 8: Ponte - Riale
GTA Stage 8A: Canza - Lake Vannino
GTA Stage 8B: Riale - Alpe Cruina
GTA Stage 8C: Riale - Nufenen Pass
GTA Stage 9: Riale - Alpe Vannino
GTA Stage 10: Alpe Vannino - Alpe Devero
GTA Stage 11: Alpe Devero - Alpe Veglia
GTA Stage 12: Alpe Veglia - Alpe Solcio
GTA Stage 13: Alpe Solcio - Varzo
GTA Stage 14: Varzo - Alpe Arza
GTA Stage 15: Alpe Arza - Alpe Laghetto
GTA Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 15A: Alpe Laghetto Refuge - Andolla Refuge (through Pontimia Pass)
GTA Stage 16: Alpe Laghetto - Cheggio
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16A: Alpe Laghetto Refuge - Andolla Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16B: Andolla Refuge - Cingino Bivouac
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16C: Cingino Bivouac - Oberto Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16D: Oberto Refuge - Macugnaga
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16E: Macugnaga - Buon Pastore Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16F: Buon Pastore Refuge - Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna
GTA Stage 17: Antrona Locality of Cheggio - Colma Refuge
GTA Stage 18: Colma Refuge - Molini di Calasca
GTA Stage 19: Molini di Calasca - Pian Lago Alp
GTA Stage 20: Pian Lago Alp - Campello Monti
GTA Stage 21: Campello Monti - Rimella
GTA Stage 22: Rimella - Alpe Baranca
GTA Stage 23: Alpe Baranca - Carcoforo
GTA Stage 24: Carcoforo - Rima
GTA Stage 25: Rima - Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna
GTA Stage 26: Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna - Rivetti Refuge