Balcony of Ormea (Quarzina-Aimoni)

Access

In the Tanaro valley, you travel by two vehicles: leave the first one beyond Ormea, above Aimoni (from the junction with the dirt road - about 1080 m), and use the other to reach Quarzina (1332 m).

Introduction

The 40-kilometre-long Balconata d'Ormea has been the subject of several surveys, and this last one completes the entire route... For a more in-depth look at the route in about 20 pictures, see issue 59 of Un'Idea.... Speciale Balconata d'Ormea, il sentiero bo. Here is the link: http://cralgalliera.altervista.org/59.pdf.

Description

We climb, always taking advantage of the wide slopes and giving up the short cuts, which are too steep. In 55' you reach the plateau where the church of San Giovanni Battista stands (1525 m source). Continue to the nearby Lao Lake (1570 m - a pond with a colony of newts). It takes 35' round trip. We stop at the religious building for a break, in the cool. The return is easy along the wide dirt track that descends towards Aimoni. In 1h15, the car appears, signalling the end of the excursion.

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Trail signposting: CAI
Type of route:crossing
Recommended period: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Sun exposure:south
Objective hazard:none
Exposed sections:none
Useful equipment: normal daily hiking equipment
Water:Church of St. John the Baptist

If you would like, here is the pdf photo file, with a bit more information:

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/BoQuarzinaAimoni021.pdf 

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/anno2021.htm

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2021.htm

NB: in the case of an excursion, always check with FIE, Cai, any park authorities or other institutions, pro loco, etc, that there have been no changes that have increased the difficulties! No liability is accepted. The present text is purely indicative and not exhaustive.

Info Hiking Section Cral Galliera: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/esc.htm

Trips 2021 at the link: http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/gite021.pdf