Stage one starts from Sampeyre, a lively tourist village at the heart of Varaita valley. The first climb begins on asphalt ground and leads to Prete and Gilba mountain passes which connect Varaita valley to Po valley. The vast upland meadows make way for dense beech woods and lush chestnut woods. The second climb faces the sunny slopes upstream of Paesana village from where you can admire Monviso, commonly known as “aRe di pietra” (“King of stone”), in all its splendour. The descent from Pian del Lupo plateau takes place in Infernotto valley. The stop-over to Prà Dmill monastery is very suggestive. Here, you can recover your strength before starting the last climb of the day: the ascent to Montoso. It is an extraordinary hamlet from where you can enjoy a breathtaking view on the plain around Pinerolo, and that marks the starting point of the final descent of your tour, now in Pellice Valley.
For information on the full route click here.
Full route layout:
