GTA: Stage 53 Borgata Maddalena di Pontechianale

Highlights and tour details

You go down from the centre of Pontechianale to cross the river and pass in front of the campsite where there are signs indicating Colle della Battagliola. You then head along the well-marked U54 path that climbs gradually through the larch woods, up to a few metres before the hill, where a few metres of altitude difference are lost. The Colle della Battagliola (2248 m) owes its name to a battle that took place in July 1744 when the Franco-Spanish army allied against the Savoy tried to force the Savoy defensive blockade placed on the watershed between the Chianale and Bellino Valleys. The garrison was able to withstand the assault of the Franco-Spanish. From the hill you initially go down on the dirt road coming from Pleyne until you reach grange Espeireà (1854 m) Here a sign indicates to continue on the U63 route, taking a path on the left. After a short hill crossing you start to descend decisively into grassland areas with a fir and larch wood, until you reach the Grange dell'Alp (1703 m). You keep descending along wide hairpin bends between rows of ash trees to the hamlet of Masdelbernard, now close to the main road. The beautiful hamlet of Bellino, a stage destination, is now close by and you just have to cross the bridge over the Varaita di Bellino stream to reach its first houses.