Tour della Bessanese

The Tour della Bessanese (TB) is a circular route in the high mountains (2200-3200 m) that winds through the Southern Graian Alps, on the border between Italy and France, around the peaks of the Uja di Bessanese (3604 m) and the Red Cross (3566 m). The entire route covers about 32 km, divided into three stages, and runs almost entirely on paths or suitably marked tracks.Although it does not have any particularly difficult mountain sections, the route is classified as EE (for Expert Hikers) due to its extreme high mountain environment, whichbecomes even harder in non-optimal climatic conditions and when there is snow or fog.Adequate equipment and good physical fitness are therefore required. It can start from any of the three mountain huts of the Tour (Refuge d'Averole, Rifugio Gastaldi and Rifugio Cibrario).Stops will be in these mountain huts which are serviced in the summer and equipped with winter rooms that are always open. Although it is possible to take the Tour in both directions, it is advisable to go in a clockwise direction. The best time to tackle the route is from the end of June to early September. From the French side the Refuge d'Averole mountain hut can be reached from the Municipality of Bessans Averole (Haute Maurienne).From the Italian side, the Rifugio Gastaldi can be reached from the Municipality of Balme (Pian della Mussa) and the Rifugio Cibrario from the Municipality of Usseglio, both in the Lanzo Valleys about 50 km from Torino.

The Tour della Bessanese (TB) is a circular route in the high mountains (2200-3200 m) which winds through the Southern Graian Alps, on the border between Italy and France, around the Uja diBessanese (3604 m) and the Croce Rossa (3566m). The route has a total development of about 32 km, divided into three stages, and takes place almost entirely on a path or on suitably marked traces of path. Although it does not present particular climbing difficulties, the route is classified as EE (Expert Hikers) due to the of the severe high mountain environment in which it takes place, an environment which is even more difficult in non-optimal climatic conditions and in the presence of snow or fog. The departure can take place from any of the three refuges of the Tour (Rifugio d´Averole, Rifugio Gastaldi and Rifugio Cibrario). The stopovers are located in the aforementioned shelters which are kept in the summer and equipped with winter rooms that are always open. The itinerary was promoted within the platform as part of the PITEM M.I.T.O. project. – Outdoor OFF - Interreg Italy-France Cross-Border Cooperation Program ALCOTRA 2014-2020.