Oreste Hütte - Refuge Pastore

(S) From the D'Oreste Hütte, follow the previous day's route to the dam. Then take the track on the left and follow a good path that crosses the chairlift serving the Col d'Alen or Alencoll.

(1) Take the wide track and, after an easy climb, reach the Col d'Alen.

(2) Take the wide track, which also supports the TMR (Tour du Mont Rose) marked BRB (Blanc Rouge Blanc), and begin the long descent to the large crossroads of tracks.

(3) Turn left, well before the ski lifts, onto the track descending from Lac del Corno and reach the top of the chairlift.

(4) Turn left onto trail no. 10 and begin a very long descent into a very rugged valley. Reach the trail junction at a place called Alpe Balma.

(5) Continue downhill to the right and join the right bank of the Torrent Rio Bors.

(6) Follow the stream along this bank and cross it at the Bors chalets.

(7) Take the dry stone steps (wet on the day of our visit) to reach the right bank of the Sesia torrent below. Follow this bank at a distance and continue through the forest to reach the Refuge Pastore (E) without difficulty.

The water sources are the streams, but it is best to use the water coming out nearby.
There is no shelter along the route.
Please note that the refuge maps below the Col d'Alen indicate that they are closed.
Very difficult stage (2 long descents) with a tricky section between (4) and (5) at the technical climb.