This walk is part of the trek Trek around Monte Viso in 4 days.
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.
Calculated time: 9h30[?] 
Distance : 16.02km
Vertical gain : 1713m
Vertical drop : 1455m
Highest point : 2956m
Lowest point : 2014m 
Difficulty : Very difficult
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Areas : Alps, Queyras, Dauphiné 
Location : Bobbio Pellice
Starting point : N 44.727921° / E 7.045156° 
Ending point : N 44.665628° / E 7.109357° Start at Refuge Granero (1) early morning. Several routes are possible.
We chose to head towards Col Sellière (2834m). Pass over the lake spillway, reach a ridge and climb up a steep slope in a south-west direction (about an hour to reach the pass).
Once you reach the pass (2), head back down due south to reach Refuge du Viso.
At the first intersection (3), head east towards Tunnel de la Traversette. It's quite a steep climb here too, heading up a trail through scree leading to col de la Traversette (2900m) built in 1480.
(4) The tunnel allows you to avoid the climb up to the pass. The bordering ridge was set to facilitate merchandise transport (salt from Provence), it was then used for military uses. The tunnel's entrance was redone in 2015. The tunnel (2 m high and 75 m long) is quite narrow. It leads to Italy at Buco di Viso overlooking "la plaine du Pô". Head down the alpine trail following the "sources du Pô" until you reach Piano del Re. In clear weather, Monte Viso rises spectacularly into the sky over Piémont. Unfortunately, the valley is often surrounded by clouds.
Once you reach Piano del Ré (5) head towards Lac Fiorenza. Before starting the climb up, notice a slab of rock with the inscription "Qui nasce il Po". Walk along Lac Fiorenza and head towards Refuge Quintino Sella. The climb up starts on a huge trail. Pass over Lac Chiaretto.
At the crossing keep heading towards Refuge Quinteno Sella (6). The last two hours will be in among scree with neves. The hike is well indicated. Go past Col du Viso and head down towards Refuge Quintino Sella (2640m) (7) which is at the foot of Monte Viso.
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 2353m - Start - Refuge Granero
1 : km 1.93 - alt. 2811m - Col Sellière - Col Sellierino
2 : km 3.45 - alt. 2463m - Path crossroads
3 : km 5.4 - alt. 2914m - Tunnel de la Traversette
4 : km 9.73 - alt. 2014m - Pian del Re car park
5 : km 12.2 - alt. 2328m - Crossing
A : km 16.02 - alt. 2617m - Refuge Quintino Sella
Headlamp necessary for going through tunnel de la Traversette.
Water source at Piano del Re.
Catering and over night stays possible at Refuge Quintino Sella, at the foot of Monte Viso.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
The lakes are stunning.
13.66km
+1326m
-1153m
7h40
Very difficult
Starting point in Ristolas - 05 - 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."
10.82km
+1138m
-428m
6h20
Very difficult
Starting point in Bobbio Pellice - Province de Torino The second stage of our trek around Monte Viso starts with a hike through green foliage at the bottom of the valley. Then a passage through beautiful alpine pastures near a delightful little lake. Stunning view point at Col Sellière.
59.78km
+4351m
-4342m
5 days
Difficult
Starting point in Ristolas - 05 - Hautes-Alpes Trek around Monte Viso in 5 stages.
A beautiful high mountain hike.
Hike over a 5 day period.
An exquisite high mountain trek.
6.57km
+627m
-589m
3h40
Difficult
Starting point in Ristolas - 05 - Hautes-Alpes This first stage is a warm-up for the rest. It's a medium mountain trek starting through larch trees before reaching alpine pastures surrounding the pass. A beautiful view over Pellice valley during the hike down.
55.15km
+4168m
-4211m
4 days
Difficult
Starting point in Ristolas - 05 - Hautes-Alpes 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.
11.55km
+1258m
-608m
6h55
Difficult
Starting point in Ristolas - 05 - Hautes-Alpes First stage starting at Queyras National Park (Parc National du Queyras) passing through Col Lacroix, then a beautiful Italian valley and ending up at a shelter near a lake where the real trek around Monte Viso will start the next day.
15.01km
+425m
-1137m
5h30
Moderate
Starting point in Pontechianale - Province de Cuneo Beautiful stage, green at first, covered by neve at the pass then very floral in Guil Valley.
15.01km
+435m
-1179m
5h30
Difficult
Starting point in Pontechianale - Province de Cuneo This stage involves a pass with neves and crossing Refuge du Viso high berm then Guil valley.
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
