Granero Circuit starting from the Granero Refuge

de fr

A very beautiful route, with a wide variety of landscapes (numerous lakes, mountain pastures, scree slopes). Stunning views of Mount Viso, Monte Granero… A rich and varied wildlife (marmots, ibex, Lanza’s salamander…) However, it’s also a challenging route due to some very steep sections, the fog which can reduce visibility, and a path that isn’t always very well marked before the Colle Seillierino.

Details

n°101567138
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.91 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 3,232 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 3,248 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 9,544 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 7,743 ft
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Photos

Ibex
Lago Lungo
Mount Viso
Lake Piena Sia

Description of the walk

The route starts from the Granero refuge.

(S/E) Head due south towards Lago Lungo; you’ll very quickly come to the start of the trails (signposted).

(1) Turn left towards Colle Manzol. Be careful, as you may come across Lanza salamanders on the path: keep an eye out and take care not to crush them. Keep heading east and climb steadily.

(2) At a fork in the road, carry on straight ahead and leave the path leading to Lago Nero on your right. Climb the switchbacks up to the pass. Please note that the pass is not at the first overhang on the other side. You must continue left along the ridge to reach it!

(3) Descend on the other side via a very steep path that heads north and soon turns east.

(4) At a fork in the road (large cairn), turn right towards Colle Armoine (path 114). Head uphill and you’ll soon reach a small lake (Lago Arbancie).

(5) Carry on straight ahead (ignore a path branching off to the left) and climb, heading south-east, to another lake (Lago Piena Sia).

(6) Go round the lake on the left and continue climbing. The path turns south-west and reaches Colle Armoine (magnificent view of Monte Viso).

(7) Start descending and very quickly leave the main path to follow the sign for “Buco di Viso / Traversette”, painted in red on a fallen boulder. This path allows you to cross without losing too much altitude. After a narrow section, the path reaches a fork at the foot of large boulders.

(8) Take the path that continues straight ahead, descending gently in a series of zigzags to rejoin the classic route near Pian Mait.

(9) Turn slightly to the right and head north-west uphill to some old bunkers.

(10) Continue left along the V16 path towards Buco di Viso (2,880 m). This will take you to the entrance to the Traversette tunnel.

(11) Enter the tunnel and go straight ahead. You’ll need a light: a head torch or, if you don’t have one, your mobile phone’s torch.

(12) At the tunnel exit (you are now in France), turn right and head down a short descent, first north-west then west. This will take you to the signpost “Sous le Col Seillierino – alt. 2,780 m”.

(13) Turn right towards the Col Seillierino. The path is not always clearly marked. Don’t hesitate to veer slightly to the left, whilst always keeping the pass in sight. Reach the pass.

(14) Return to Italy. Descend on the other side, heading due north. Ignore a few paths branching off to the right and head north-west (numerous cairns and some paint markings). Reach Lago Lungo and go round it on the left.

(1) Turn left and head straight back to the starting hut (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 7,805 ft - Refuge Granero
  2. 1 : mi 0.04 - alt. 7,802 ft - Junction of the circular loop – Signposts - Lac Long ou Lago Lungo
  3. 2 : mi 1.13 - alt. 8,494 ft - Fork in the road - Lago Nero (2570 m)
  4. 3 : mi 1.45 - alt. 8,786 ft - Colle Manzol (2693)
  5. 4 : mi 1.94 - alt. 7,917 ft - Fork in the road – Signpost and cairn
  6. 5 : mi 2.08 - alt. 8,061 ft - Lago Arbancie (2450 m)
  7. 6 : mi 2.76 - alt. 8,373 ft - Lago Piena Sia (2555 m)
  8. 7 : mi 3.26 - alt. 8,776 ft - Colle Armoine (2692 m)
  9. 8 : mi 3.93 - alt. 9,157 ft - Junction at the foot of large boulders
  10. 9 : mi 4.28 - alt. 8,927 ft - Pian Mait
  11. 10 : mi 4.65 - alt. 9,262 ft - Ruined casemates
  12. 11 : mi 4.83 - alt. 9,521 ft - Entrance to the - Tunnel de la Traversette (Buco di Viso)
  13. 12 : mi 4.89 - alt. 9,505 ft - Start of the - Tunnel de la Traversette (Buco di Viso)
  14. 13 : mi 5.3 - alt. 9,124 ft - Signpost “Below the Col Seillierino – alt. 2,780 m”
  15. 14 : mi 5.43 - alt. 9,426 ft - Pas de Sellard ou Col Seillierino (2850m)
  16. S/E : mi 6.91 - alt. 7,805 ft - Refuge Granero

Notes

Head torch for crossing the tunnel.

No water sources along the route.

Map and navigation tools to help you find your way in thick fog, as well as on the section from (13) to (14).

The Granero Refuge: a great place to stay – the food and accommodation are excellent! Remember to book in advance.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

The Traversette Tunnel, also known as the Pertuis du Viso or Buco di Viso

La Nebbia, the fog that forms at the source of the River Po at the foot of Mount Viso.

The Lanza salamander, an endemic species, sometimes crosses the paths – be careful not to crush it!

Mount Viso (3,841 m), also known as ‘il Re di pietra’ (the Stone King).

Other walks in the area

Walking Trek around Monte Viso day 2: Refuge Granero - Refuge Quintino Sella

Visorando Member
Refuge Granero - Refuge Quintino Sella
↔10.73 mi ↗+5,381 ft ↘-4,511 ft ◔9h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bobbio Pellice (Torino)
Quite a long high mountain stage today, set in a mineral landscape passing through "les sources du Pô" and near beautiful mountain lakes. Exploring the north-east side of Monte Viso (3841m) will be the highlight.

Walking Trek around Monte Viso in 4 days

Visorando Member
Tour du Mont Viso en 4 jours
↔36.36 mi ↗+13,330 ft ↘-13,327 ft ◔4 days ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bobbio Pellice (Torino)
A 4 day trek on a high mountain route. The trek around Monte Viso (one of the highest summits in the Italian alps) is a sight for sore eyes. Crossing through some of the most authentic and wild high valleys of the Alps is delightful. This trek is almost identical to another trek by another hikiideas hiker which is done over 5 days. A big thank you to him and his description which inspired me.

Walking Trek around Monte Viso in 5 days, stage 3

Association / Club / Walk leader
Refuge du Viso - Refuge Quintino Sella
↔8.49 mi ↗+4,426 ft ↘-3,888 ft ◔6 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Ristolas (Hautes-Alpes)
High mountain stage. Progress within a mineral setting. A hike up to the highest pass of the trek. Stunning view over the Pô water sources from "Sentier du Postier."

Walking From the Barbara Lowrie Refuge to the Granero Refuge via the Manzol Pass

Visorando Member
↔4.40 mi ↗+3,133 ft ↘-1,066 ft ◔4h 45 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Bobbio Pellice (Torino)
Choosing this short route will take you through some magnificent scenery. Lago Nero is well worth a visit. However, this route is technically challenging with steep scree slopes: best tackled in dry, fine weather.

Walking Traversette Tunnel and Pass

Visorando Member
Tunnel et Col de la Traversette
↔9.98 mi ↗+3,996 ft ↘-3,973 ft ◔8h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Ristolas (Hautes-Alpes)
The first transalpine crossing in history.

Walking The Petit Belvédère du Mont Viso at the start of La Roche Écroulée

Visorando Member
Le Petit Belvédère du Mont Viso au départ de la Roche Écroulée
↔1.70 mi ↗+469 ft ↘-472 ft ◔1h 10 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Ristolas (Hautes-Alpes)
This is a very short circular route that starts at La Roche Écroulée in Ristolas and goes to the Petit Belvédère du Mont Viso, returning via a forest road. Please note: dogs are not permitted in the nature reserve.

Walking Lake Lestio from the large Viso viewpoint

Visorando Member
Le lac Lestio par le grand belvédère du Viso
↔11.19 mi ↗+2,546 ft ↘-2,543 ft ◔7h 20 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Ristolas (Hautes-Alpes)
Among the fascinating mountains of the Alps, Mont Viso (3,841 m) holds a special place. This route, which is not very steep on average but should not be underestimated due to the distance to be covered, allows you to approach the mountain and go as far as Lac Lestio, which gives you that special feeling of being at the end of the Alpine world.

Walking Pointe Joanne

Visorando Member
La Pointe Joanne
↔13.41 mi ↗+4,764 ft ↘-4,734 ft ◔10 hrs ▲Very difficult
⚑Departure from Ristolas (Hautes-Alpes)
A border peak offering an exceptional view of Mount Viso.

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