Alagna Refuge Ring

Introduction

Two-day route without any particular difficulties, although it is definitely long and with a considerable difference in altitude; it therefore requires a minimum of training. Admire the splendid views from the fantastic Valsesian side of Monte Rosa. 

Round of the Alagna Valsesia refuges (Alagna - Rif. Pastore - Bocchetta delle Pisse - Rif. Città di Mortara - Rif. Città di Vigevano - Val d'Otro - Alagna) Author:Gabriele Canu * Other hikes by the same author No comments None Last modified: 29.12.06 Rifugio Guglielmina (2880 m) - © 2005 Massimo Martini Profile Time of ascent: 4h30" (1st day) - 1h30" (2nd day) Time of descent: 1h (1st day) - 4h (2nd day) 

Description

From the large car park located between the road (which stops at this point) and the river, we continue along the asphalted road and then along an easy little path to the splendid Pastore refuge (1575m, we eat really well, the managers are really nice and friendly and the place is beautiful!). The panorama of the Rosa chain from the hut is worth taking a long look. We then set off again along the path that departs from the hut and reach the Crespi Calderini hut after a short and fairly steep climb. Continue along the left side of the river and after a decidedly steep section, you will first reach a cable car station at an altitude of around 2200m, and then the Bocchetta delle Pisse. If the day is fine, the view from here is truly splendid, and well worth a stop (perhaps even for lunch!). Then descending along the road that follows the cable car cables, we soon reach the Rifugio Città di Mortara. The scenery here is not like that at Rifugio Pastore, but as far as eating well and sleeping peacefully is concerned, it's no joke! On the second day, leaving as usual early in the morning if you don't want to see nothing but fog and clouds, you continue along path no. 5 without any particular difficulty until you reach the junction for Rifugio Guglielmina and Rifugio Città di Vigevano (both without difficulty, we passed through the latter on the outward journey and the former on the return!), and in about 1.5 hours from the Rifugio Città di Mortara you reach the two huts, located about fifty metres apart (at an altitude of 2865 m). If you walk a hundred or so metres to the left of the Guglielmina hut, the panorama is unmissable. For the return journey, you can of course follow the outward route, continuing from the Rifugio Città di Mortara to the village of Alagna on a road that can also be travelled by car (...but only by the refuge manager!!), or you can go through the Valle dell'Otro. We took the second route, and I think it is the best solution as the valley is truly splendid scenically. You descend along the road on which you climbed previously until you come to a large boulder where there is a signpost for the Foric Pass (2431m), climb up slightly in altitude and from the pass you begin (be careful...the "3b" to take is the one that descends towards the valley...! It may sound stupid but... we had doubts!) the very long descent towards Alagna. The scenery in the valley deserves all the fatigue that only the arrival at the car park in Alagna, after 1700m of descent, will make you forget!!!