Highlights and tour details
From the Alpe Salei bivouac (1707 m) we go up Val Gronda to the Seia lake, then along the left bank of the valley, gradually gaining altitude until reaching a wide but steep channel that leads to the Laghetto lake. Then we go along the left bank uphill until reaching the Laghetto pass where we go down into Val Vogna. Then we descend to Lake Nero del Maccagno and pass the Maccagno, Camino, Pioda di Sopra and Buzzo mountain pastures in order to reach the Peccia (1449 m.) where it is possible to spend the night. Alternatively it is possible to descend first along a track and then a carriage road to Riva Valdobbia. At Lake Nero del Maccagno you can climb up to the homonymous pass from where you can descend into the Biella area (Rivetti bivouac) or towards Gressoney in Valle d'Aosta.
Other information
Source: Ente per la Gestione delle Aree Protette della Valle Sesia
Itinerary code: GTV
Recommended period: June - September
Classification: Provincial with high mountain development
Provinces crossed: Biella Valsesia Vercelli
Departure, arrival and municipalities crossed
Stages
- Great Crossing of Valsesia (GTV) (113,20 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia (GTV): Stage 1 Bocchetta della Boscarola - Alp Toso (14,70 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia (GTV): Stage 2 Alp Toso - Alp Salei (7,60 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia (GTV): Stage 3 Alp Salei - Hamlet of Peccia (12,50 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia: Stage 4 Hamlet of Peccia - Ospizio Sottile at Colle Valdobbia (4,70 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia: Stage 5 Ospizio Sottile to Colle Valdobbia - Don Luigi Ravelli Bivouac (10,30 km)
- Great Crossing of Valsesia: Stage 6 Bivouac Don Luigi Ravelli - Pastore Refuge at Alpe Pile (14,30 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia (GTV): Stage 7 Pastore Refuge at Alp Pile - Vallè Refuge (14,80 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia: Tappa 8 Rifugio Vallè - Rifugio Massero (4,00 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia: Stage 9 Massero Refuge - Baranca Refuge (11,80 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia: Stage 10 Rifugio Baranca - Rifugio Obre-Huusch (8,90 km)
- Grande Traversata della Valsesia (GTV): Stage 11 Obre-Huusch Refuge - City of Borgomanero Refuge at Alp Pianello (8,10 km)