BALME Green Lakes and Lago Paschiet

From the hamlet Li Fré, cross the Paschiet stream to take the GTA-Via Alpina trail heading south (towards Usseglio); upon reaching Pian Salè (1580 m), ascend by keeping left at the fork, first through a larch forest and then several alpine pastures. Always keep to the right hydrographic side until the plateau of the Pian Buet alp (about 2006 m), where you need to turn right at the fork. Then start climbing a steep ridge among rhododendron and green alder shrubs up to near the lower Lago Verde. Skirting the lake on the right, you also reach the upper Lago Verde.

The trail leading to Lago Paschiet is halfway between the two small lakes: you must climb a path trace among the alders up to a grassy saddle that offers a good view of the two lakes. From there, the descent to Lago Paschiet begins (almost immediately visible), reachable in about twenty minutes.

Near where the Paschiet stream exits the lake, take the path trace on the right that leads to the Paschiet alp. The trail, after the alpine meadows, descends steeply, first through green alder and rhododendron bushes, then in a larch forest until reaching the bottom of the Servin valley. From here, the Natura trail of the Servin valley intersects: turning left, in about ten minutes you reach a wooden footbridge over the Pontat stream, shortly after the Chios alp (1557 m), and then the starting point of the hike. Turning right on another footbridge leads to the Pian Salè alp, thus returning along the ascent route.

Recommended footwear with non-slip soles, wind/rain protection, a warm layer, hat and sunglasses, water bottle, food.

There are no refreshment points along the route. There is a small spring at about 2040 m near the path.

The descent from Lago Paschiet is not always obvious due to vegetation, which if not periodically cut, can make the trail entrance difficult. From the lake, two trails descend to the Paschiet alp: prefer the one on the right.

Inside the Servin valley there is no mobile phone coverage.

In case of very snowy winters, snowfields may be encountered until early June: equip accordingly.

From the plains, reach Lanzo Torinese. Continue following provincial road 1: entering Balme, turn left towards Cornetti and Li Fré.

To reach Balme, there is a Ceres - Balme bus line with a stop near the church. From there, to reach the starting point of the hike, go south towards the Pakinò ski lift, then the Cornetti hamlet, and then the Li Fré hamlet (about 1.1 km).

For bus schedules: Cavourese website

Possibility of a small parking lot at the end of the Cornetti hamlet, near the Val Servin trattoria or near the starting point by the roadside.

For information: Valli di Lanzo Tourist Operators Consortium - www.turismovallidilanzo.it

From the green lakes, continue the ascent itinerary until reaching the "Gino Gandolfo-Franco Giuliano" bivouac (distance 500 m, 50 m elevation gain).