GTA Upper variant of Monviso: Stage 50B Rifugio Granero - Rifugio Vallanta

Highlights and tour details

From Rifugio Granero, follow the track that descends into the beautiful basin occupied by Lago Lungo. After crossing the outflowing stream, the path runs for a while along the grassy western shore of the lake, then bends to the right and forks off. Follow the right-hand fork that cuts across a slope at the base of the dividing ridge between the Colle Seilliere and Passo Seillierino valleys. Once you have entered the valley, which is dominated to the right (west) by the steep rock face of Punta Bersajas, you climb up to the marked depression of Colle Seilliere (2851m). Descend from the pass on the southern side and, at the end of the grassy slopes you reach a plateau where there is a marked three-way junction: leave the path to Colle delle Traversette and Buco di Viso on the left and continue on the wide path that leads on the flat to the Réfuge du Viso (2460 m), visible throughout the descent from Colle Seilliere. From Refuge Viso, follow the slightly downhill path halfway along the mountainside. After crossing the Guil stream, start to climb again and you shortly reach Lago Lestiò (2510 m), located in a beautiful basin dominated by the ridge of Punta Roma. Having skirted the southern shore of the lake, the path begins to climb again until it reaches the Passo di Vallanta (2815 m). From the pass (with a suggestive view of Monviso), you descend into the Vallanta valley, soon reaching a fork in the road: from here you can continue the descent that leads to the homonymous refuge or follow the path on the right, which continues halfway along the mountainside, until it joins the path that leads uphill to Passo della Losetta (2872 m). From the pass, an easy climb leads to the summit of Monte Losetta (3052 m), a splendid viewpoint over the western face of Monviso. Descend from the summit to Passo della Losetta and follow the uphill itinerary back to the fork; from here, continue downhill on the main path to Rifugio Vallanta (2450 m).