From the Toesca Refuge climb up trail 510, until the junction with track 519 for Porta del Chiot (2197 m).

Take trail 519 that climbs quickly in altitude on repeated hairpin bends, to the col, with a magnificent view of Val Susa and the gorges of Chianocco and Foresto. Continue on trail 519, a spectacular balcony trail to the short climb to Colle del Mulinas (2265 m), from where you can enjoy, almost vertically under your feet, the view of the underlying bergerie dell’Orsiera, lying on a vast grazing plateau.

The trail goes slightly downhill, following the entire basin of the bergerie, to the recently renovated buildings converted into bivouac and surveillance hut for the park rangers. From here, take the track which heads eastwards, leave to the left the descent of trail 514 for Pra la Grangia and cross the torrent, to take trail 525 which cuts the slope halfway, to enter the dense larch forest and descends sharply toward Alpe Toglie (1546 m).

From the pasture, descend along the vehicular road to the hairpin bend with signposts for trail 521 (Sentiero dei Franchi), with a clear entrance. This track follows a long section of ups and downs to a col, past which it descends rapidly to Comba (1404 m). Pass it and continue straight on. Having walked along the grazing lands of Comba, descend to the Gerardo torrent, which is crossed over a small rustic bridge. Go up on the meadows, to the vast grassy valley of Pra Mean. The Amprimo Refuge is further on beyond a grassy saddle.

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.As an alternative to the long trip from bergerie dell’Orsiera and from Alpe Toglie, you can descend directly from the Toesca refuge to the Amprimo refuge following trail 510 (time: 1 hr. altitude difference downhill: 335 m) on a very easy route and well signposted which passes close to Alpe Balmetta Vecchia.

Unmanaged Rifugio on Alpe Orsiera (1935 m)

The Toesca Refuge is reachable via two itineraries: 1) from San Giorgio take the paved road which reaches the hamlet of Città, continue for a section of dirt road to the car park of Cortavetto and from there take hiking trail 513 which leads to the Amprimo Refuge in about 40 minutes. Continue on trail 510 to reach the Toesca Refuge which is an hour away on foot. 2) from Bussoleno reach the car park of Sagnette along a vehicular road (one section is on dirt road). Take trail 510 which in 20 minutes leads to the Amprimo Refuge and the Toesca Refuge is another hour away on foot.

Source: Ente di gestione delle aree protette delle Alpi Cozie (2018)
Itinerary code: GDO
Phone coverage: Present, but with points not served, possibility to hook onto the French mobile network in the westernmost points of the itinerary.
Recommended period: June, July, Auguat, September
Classification: Provincial with high mountain development
Provinces crossed: Torino