GTA Variant of the Upper Stura, Maira and Varaita Vallies: Stage 53A Pontechianale - S. Anna di Bellino

Highlights and tour details

From the centre of Pontechianale you go down to cross the river and pass in front of the campsite where you find the signs to Colle della Battagliola. You then head along the well-marked U54 path that climbs regularly 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) where you leave the fork on the left with the path that goes down towards the village of Chiesa (see Stage 52). Continue along the road until the village of Pleyne. From here you go up the Bellino valley partly following the road at the bottom of the valley and after having passed the hamlets of Celle and Chiazale you reach S. Anna di Bellino. The stage stop-off place Rifugio Meleze is located just before the hamlet.