Rifugio Ciarlo-Bossi, from Viozene

Description

Go uphill from the hamlet, 1245 m, between the buildings following the signs and climb up a nice track (at a fork to the left). Then pass a votive pillar built into the rock (30') and continue, finding a perfectly restored stone house and immediately afterwards the plateau where the Mongioie 1550 hut is located. Leave the path that climbs to the summit, still 3 hrs. away, and proceed on the level to the left to the beautiful structure (25'). After a short break (source), continue on the level and, in less than 5', you are at a crossroads: to the left is the service road that connects the hut to Viozene, while straight ahead is a level track that cuts across the slope. You choose the latter and walk horizontally and then lose a few metres entering the forest. At a fork (30'), ignore the path that descends (and which you will take on the return). In a moment, you cross a stream and further on you find the bridge (now under reconstruction) at Vene 1525 m (15'). This is where the Park's information boards begin, and further up, to the right, is the Vene Cave (reached by climbing up between severe rocks and using ropes - not particularly difficult). Of the cavern (1550), only the entrance can be seen because the inner development is reserved for experienced cavers (15' for the A/R branch). As long as the footbridge is not finished, climb over the abundant springs and then face the ascent to the Carnino glacier at 1597 m (20'). From here (on the left there is a viewpoint - 20' for the A/R detour), you descend in 15' to the locality of Tetti delle Donzelle (1540), where you leave the path that descends to Carnino inferiore (in less than half an hour, another very quick access point for those in a hurry to get there) and in 5' you reach the Ciarlo Bossi refuge of the Ges di Savona and the FIE (1550), the arrival point of today's excursion. The hut is self-managed and is therefore likely to be closed, but the place is equally worthwhile (there are no sources, however). It is an excellent support point for those who want to make slightly demanding but very interesting excursions to Cima delle Saline, the Pian Ballaur, the Mongioie...

For photos of some of the trips that can be made from Ciarlo Bossi see:

http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cralgalliera/saline.pdf
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cralgalliera/mongioie04.pdf
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cralgalliera/tanaro2005.pdf
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cralgalliera/fotorifugio06.pdf
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/cralgalliera/rifugio07.pdf

For an in-depth article, however:
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/escursionismogalliera/articoli/escursionismoma...

After the break, we retrace our steps to the Carnino glacier, to Vene and to the above-mentioned crossroads (1h). Leave the track for the refuge and head downhill in the direction of Viozene. You pass some ruins, disregard the variant for Pianche and pass a renovated house. You then join the access road to the hut (partly asphalted and partly cemented). Descend further until you reach the Viozene Upega link road, near a beautiful spring (25'). On the left, a little more than 1 km away is the centre of Viozene, where you can wait for your car (15').

If you would like some photos please visit the links

http://www.cralgalliera.altervista.org/altre2010.htm

direct link

http://digilander.libero.it/MAURIZIOLC/viozene010.pdf

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