Hiking Trips and Tips N°6 – Graian Alps Wooden Bivouac

A lovely bivouac at over 2200 meters immerse between high mountain waterfalls.

Route: You can download the gps data HERE

At a Glance

Distance: 14,2km (9mi)
Duration (average): One or two days
Difficulty Level: Easy (At very rainy times the ford can get a little sketchy)
Start / Finish: Vonzo (TO) / Vonzo (TO)
Elevation Gain: 1140m (3740 ft)
Elevation Loss: 1140m (3740 ft)

Cate and Naomi observe some of the many mushrooms on the path. Picture by Sofia Blu©

Getting There & Away:

The easiest way to reach Vonzo is by car. It is also possible to get there by public transport but requires taking several buses from Ciriè (TO).

Season: This is an easily passable route from spring to autumn. Due to the altitude and location, there is a lot of snow in the winter months and mountaineering equipment is required.

The small Cappella di San Vito in the small village of Chiappili (1450m). Picture by Sofia Blu©

Informations:
Permits: no permits are required
Language: Italian, although on the way you might not meet anyone. There are no huts, there is only the Cecilia Genisio bivouac, which is not guarded.
Cell/Mobile Phone Coverage: Above 1600 metres the phone stops working.

Resupply & Water:
Resupply: It is important to buy all the food before arriving in Vonzo, there is just an “agritursimo” which is open only in the weekends, and there are no resupplies of any kind on the trail.
Water: There are rivers all along the route and the water is good, but we recommend that you bring a water filter.

Route / Conditions:
Overview: The route starts from the Vonzo car park where you can conveniently leave your car. After an initial part in the forest, you arrive at the village of Chiappili (1450m) and from there on you cross the tree line.

The houses in the rock of “Alpe Rossa di sotto” (2083m). Picture by Sofia Blu©

Continuing to follow the path, one proceeds into the valley. You will have to pass at least a couple of fords, the second of which may be more difficult if there is a lot of water.

The upper plateau can hide a lot of snow that is not visible from the valley, but at least when we went the ground was rather even when we were there, not making the walk too difficult. The Cecilia Genisio bivouac (2233m) is in the middle of the valley near a set of ruins. There are several streams nearby that provide water. The bivouac is also new and has twelve beds with mattresses and blankets. There is a small solar panel that powers the interior light but it is not possible to charge one’s own devices.

During our hike, we unfortunately walked back the way we came without passing through the ‘Pian di Lee’ lake. The terrain in normal conditions (late spring, summer, autumn) should be quite easy and a viable alternative to return to the valley by taking a different route.