CUGN DI GORIA

A few dozen metres after the La Sousta dal Col Refuge (1,940 m) and before the road begins to descend towards Elva, turn right on to the asphalt road towards Colle di Sampeyre, which is not cleared of snow in winter.

Stay on this road faithfully, climbing gently between increasingly sparse larch trees. Behind, the majestic three thousand metre Chersogno, Rocca la Marchisa and Pelvo d'Elva peaks are clearly visible.

After a semicircle, pass by an electricity substation in stone, a repeater and a power line - the only things out of place in an otherwise idyllic landscape. Two hundred metres further on, leave the road where it bends to the left and turn right on to the ridge. While the route is free, it is also very popular so the track may already be compacted and easy to identify.

Pass by a concrete memorial stone (2,124 m) to come up to excellent views down towards the village of Morinesio and then reach a striking stone hut. Continue along the Cavallina Ridge; it is initially flat but then begins to get decisively steeper.

Pass over a hillock hiding the destination and cut across the Strada dei Cannoni, an old and very long high-altitude military road from Coletta Rossana to Colle Bicocca.

A last climb goes up to the flat top of Mount Cugn di Goria (2,385 m), overlooking the Varaita Valley. The 360° view takes in the ever-present Monviso mountain.

Return along the outward route.

Download Snowshoe and ski mountaineering itineraries in the Cuneo and Haute Provence Alps