From the terrace of the refuge, cross the bridge over the Gravio stream, following the signs for path 522 (Sentiero dei Franchi). At the crossroads with path 506, go straight on, going up the right side of the valley, until you enter the vast laburnum wood that covers the ancient Carthusian pastures of Pian Signore.

At the following crossroads, you continue to follow the trail of the Sentiero dei Franchi which, with continuous ascents and descents, crosses halfway up the right side of Valle Susa, until you come out of the woods near Alpe Fumavecchia.

From here, take path 524 which cuts across the carriage road and enters the larch grove, where, after an initially flat stretch, it climbs steeply up the ridge.

Continuing on path 524 you reach Pian dell'Orso (1860 m) after a steep climb. Near the Cappella della Trasfigurazione (Chapel of the Transfiguration) you can enjoy a magnificent view over all of lower Valle Susa, the Sacra di San Michele and beyond, as far as Superga.

Once past the little pass, you return to Val Sangone, in the Sangonetto valley. Take path 435 eastwards in the direction of Colle Bé Moulè, first along a flat stretch to then descend to Pian Bergart and the aforesaid pass, where there is a notice board of the Park.

Just beyond the notice board, look out for a signpost indicating path 420A which, heading south, descends to the small bridge of Pian Gorai where it ends, crossing a wooded area alternating with pasture clearings.

When you reach the wooden bridge, cross it and follow path 420 for a few metres downhill to then take path 419A, immediately after another notice board in the Park, which leads to Pian Gorai; when you reach the plateau, follow the red and white signs that encircle going slightly downhill and lead to the ford on the Palè stream and then climb up the opposite side to intersect the dirt road just above the Palè huts.

Cross the road and continue in a south-easterly direction where there is a signpost indicating the beginning of path 419B which you follow until you reach the ford on the Rio della Fuglia.

Once you have easily forded the Rio della Fuglia, go uphill on the opposite side until you come to a signpost with the sign Roc dou Lermou.

You now face the most challenging stretch with a rather steep climb in a mixed broad-leaf wood, after which the ascent becomes more gradual.

You arrive at the crossroads with path 419 and follow it in the direction of Ciargiur del Forno.

You come out in a clearing just above Roc dou Lermou (1485 m), continue on a slight descent in a southerly direction until you reach path 417A which allows you to reach the Ciargiur del Forno huts, where it ends.

Cross through the huts of Ciargiur del Forno and continue down along path 417 which passes through a mixed broad-leaf wood until you reach several ruins of houses, the little hill of Ruata.

At this point you leave path 417 that leads to Ruata and turn right onto path 416A. From the little hill of Ruata, leave out the first flat path on the right that leads Chè Veii, and continue along path 416A that descends until you reach the Ricciavrè brook.

After crossing a grassy area where the 416A ends, you come across path 416 that goes into the Ricciavrè valley and comes from the village of Flizzo.

Follow path 416 for a short stretch to reach the houses of Flizzo and continue on path 416B passing upstream of the houses until you reach a small brook that you cross.

Continuing on, you cross a second brook and the huts of the hamlet Molè are already visible; the path arrives in the hamlet where it joins path 415 to return to the departure point.

"Cà d'Marc Picapera"is a large rock on which Marco Delo, a shepherd and stonemason from Villar Focchiardo who died at the beginning of 1900, carved goats, donkeys, anthropomorphic figures, thus leaving vivid evidence of life on these mountains. Near the Cappella della Trasfigurazione of Pian dell'Orso you can enjoy a magnificent view over all the lower Valle Susa, the Sacra di San Michele and beyond, as far as Superga.

The GEAT Val Gravio refuge (San Giorio) can be reached using two itineraries: from San Giorio travel the paved road that reaches the hamlet of Città and continue to the car park of the hamlet of Adret. From here, take hiking trail 512 which in ca.55 minutes leads to the GEAT Val Gravio Refuge; from Villar Focchiardo follow the paved road (with last section on dirt road) as far as the car park close to the Montebenedetto Charterhouse; take trail 506 which in approximately one hour takes to the GEAT Val Gravio refuge.

Source: Ente di gestione delle aree protette delle Alpi Cozie (2018)
Itinerary code: GDO
Phone coverage: Present but with points that are not covered
Recommended period: June, July, Auguat, September
Classification: Provincial with high mountain development
Provinces crossed: Torino