You descend from the refuge towards Castello. The descent is fast and takes you to Pion Caval and Peiro Grongetto. Always keep to the main path, ignoring the forks to Lago Secco, passing by Rifugio Grongios Martre and shortly arriving next to Rifugio Alevè refuge. From here you cross the asphalt road to take a dirt road that going slightly downhill, will take you to the small bridge next to a house. You are a few metres below the provincial road, on the old road of the valley. One climb and you are in the hamlet of Castello. Pass in front of the church and arrive in the little square. Continue to the left from here and pass over the dam of the artificial lake of Pontechianale. A pleasant, almost flat route takes you along the lake to Maddalena, the centre of Pontechianale. You arrive in the ski-lift area near the campsite. From here, cross the bridge and turn left, arriving in front of the Town Hall. Take the road that goes up to the left of the Town Hall and continue straight on until reaching the provincial road again. Go across it and enter the village of Genzana. Turn left, cross the bridge and cross the village on the only road that passes by the fountain and the B&B La Liero. Carry on, coming out on the main road. After a few metres turn right onto a secondary asphalt road that leads to Rifugio Savigliano and the hamlet of Sellette. The road you are going along gradually climbs up to a group of houses, where a clearly marked path begins on the left. This is the Lanzetti path, a beautiful path overlooking the valley and the village of Chianale. Take this practically flat path crossing the entire sunny slope along the hillside. You cross pastures and clearings until reaching a pinewood. Here the path climbs for a few metres, and goes downhill into a side valley, leading you to cross the stream. You are in the valley of Soustra, which leads to Losetta and which could connect you to the Viso tour. After the bridge, continue to the left and soon you will reach the Grange del Rio, going onto the road of Colle dell’Agnello. Take the road downhill until you find signs for Chianale on the left. The path you take will allow you to descend quickly without following all the hairpin bends of the road. You come out again onto the asphalt road and continue going downhill. Pass a bend with a little bridge and you soon arrive at the old customs place. A few more metres and you arrive at the first houses of Chianale.

Lake Bagnour, peat bog, a centennial Swiss pine tree among the monumental trees of Piedmont, artificial dam of Castello, Alevè wood, little church of S.Antonio, Parish church of S. Lorenzo, Capuchin Mission today seat of the Museum of Costume and Textile Crafts of the Valle Varaita.

Pontechianale: supermarket

From the Strada Provinciale della Valle Varaita road, turn right after Casteldelfino and go as far as the village of Castello. You continue on foot from Rifugio Alevé (large car park). To go to Chianale you continue in the direction of Colle dell'Agnello after the centre of Maddalena. Chianale is the last village in the valley.

Source: Unione Montana Valle Varaita
Itinerary code: VVT
Recommended period: late spring-summer-autumn
Historical interest: Yes
Classification: Medium and low mountain provincial
Provinces crossed: Cuneo