Sant’Anna Valdieri – Livio Bianco Mountain Hut

In Sant’Anna, park as best you can so as not to disrupt local life for the next five days. The hike starts at the far end of the village (towards Terme di Valdieri); at the crossroads on the way out of the village, look out for the start of the trail on the right, heading towards Valle della Meris.

Note: From the start in Sant’Anna to the Rifugio Livio Bianco: red and white markings.

(S) Head up this tarmac road, winding its way past the houses, then the road gives way to a good
stony path that winds through the forest.

(1) Stay on the main path at all times; ignore the signposted path branching off to the right. Continue along the path which
leaves the forest to reach the Gias del Prato mountain pastures. The view opens out over the Valle della Meris.

(2) Continue along the main path, which winds through the mountain pasture and climbs up the hillside. You’ll reach the chalets of Ex case reali del Chiot.

(3) Stay on this path, which runs parallel to the Meris stream, until you reach a glacial moraine at a crossroads. Ignore the path leading straight ahead and turn left. Cross the stream flowing out of the lake and complete the ascent to reach the mountain hut, overlooking the large Lago Sottano della Sella (E).

• Watch out for ‘La Nebbia’, the very damp mist that rises from the valley around midday, particularly in summer. This has little impact on this 3-hour route, which is well-marked and leads to a mountain hut. Bring rainwear.
• There are no water sources during the ascent.
• At the mountain hut, rest up as the next day’s stage will be the longest of this Tour de l’Argentera (9 hours), featuring a pass at nearly 2,900 metres.

• From the refuge, head down to see the lake.