Edited by:
Maurizio Bergamini
Date: 02/09/2008
For someone like me, born and raised in Valle d'Aosta, Valchiusella has always suggested the image of the poor relative. Poor because it is outside the territory of the Autonomous Region (rich in economic means and dedicated to supporting the mountain economy) and poor because it lacks those lofty peaks, apparently inaccessible, but unquestionably fascinating and romantic.
For someone like me, born and raised in Valle d'Aosta, Valchiusella has always suggested the image of the poor relative. Poor because it is outside the territory of the Autonomous Region (rich in economic means and dedicated to supporting the mountain economy) and poor because it lacks those lofty peaks, apparently inaccessible, but unquestionably fascinating and romantic.
With time, however, one discovers some things that are by no means secondary: firstly, the Traversella cliffs. Beautiful, scenic and on a scale to suit every type of climber; so welcoming in the first clear days of spring, when the air in the Vallée is still crisp and the snow is close at hand.
And then the fishy lakes, so easy to reach and so close to certain trattorias that still offer local cuisine...
In short, for me, the Valchiusella was the first opportunity to understand that there is another mountain besides my home mountain, no less interesting and no less rich in scenic and naturalistic cues: I still remember the bend where a squirrel crossed my path. I stopped the car and stood admiring it for several minutes without anyone else passing by to disturb us.
Matteo Antonicelli's guidebook only does justice to an area that deserves to be rediscovered, if only for its proximity to large urban centres such as Ivrea and Turin, which in summer are besieged by the sultriness and heat, stinking of hot asphalt.
There are 127 hiking proposals for all technical abilities, compiled as we at Inalto like it: based on direct experience. Paths traversed and reviewed one by one, to discover every little hidden beauty, be it an eighteenth-century bridge, an old mine, an abandoned furnace or a hut wedged between the rocks.
So honesty first of all, because that is what this valley, so tried over the centuries by human exploitation and now suffering from the classic depopulation that afflicts much of the Alpine arc, deserves.
Those who enjoy walks that are not extremely demanding will have ample choice, in view of the relatively low altitude at which the entire Valchiusella lies. Those, on the other hand, who wish to consider themselves experts will not fail to benefit from the magnificent hours of solitude that certain EE-rated excursions will guarantee them: in fact, there are very few 'red dot' itineraries that involve less than five hours of walking alone!
The author
Matteo Antonicelli, born in Gioia del Colle, trained as an alpinist in Canavese, where he lives. He was the coordinator of the hiking activity of the Ivrea section of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club) and was among the first in Italy to obtain the qualification of 'Hiking Guide'. He has also published:- I laghi del Canavese, Mulatero, Agliè, 1998. .
- [[IvreAlpi]], Leone & Griffa, Biella, 2004 .