HIGH VALLEY HIKING
From Folecchio to Alpe Prato Bianco Superiore

Hiking through art and dreamlike landscapes

Credits © Marco Fava
Credits © Marco Fava

Walking along trail 405, among art and culture up to Pizzo Tracciora: an interesting alternative to the classic climb to the mountain.

Activity

hiking

Period

March/April - November (or all year in the absence of snow)

Difficulty

hiking

Duration

3h

Departure

Folecchio (733 m)

Arrival

Alpe Prato Bianco Superiore (1809 m)

Elevation Gain

1076 m

The route from Folecchio to Alpe Prato Bianco Superiore is easy in its first part and crosses an area of great natural interest, rich in artistic and cultural heritage.


In its second section, climbing towards Alpe Campo and Alpe Prato Bianco, the route becomes steeper and more challenging, following faint tracks.

From the small square at the end of the Folecchio road, trail 405 begins, passing right beside the Oratory of Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano.


First, cross the hamlet on level ground, then ascend the mule track to the left until you meet a dirt road.

Soon after, leave the dirt road and resume the trail, passing the Pisole chapel, climbing through the woods beyond several old huts, and reaching the characteristic religious complex at Piane di Folecchio (990 m).

The view is wide over part of Val Sermenza and towards Scopa/Scopello.


The mountain pasture has large and well-kept meadows, offering excellent sunshine even in autumn and winter.


Continue along the path that passes all the well-maintained huts of the pasture, briefly enter a beech forest, then the trail meets a farm road, which you follow for about 400 meters.

Shortly after, leave the road (which is the route of the art trail to Alpe Dosso) and ascend to the right on the path toward Alpe Bonda.

Now the entire route is within a beautiful beech forest until you reach Alpe Bonda (1400 m).


Cross the meadow northwards and pass by a scree, in which you can recognize boulders similar to those found on the opposite side of the Giavine Rosse (peridotite), where heather and ling grow abundantly.


Leaving route 406 to Colma Lavaggio on the right (where a small detour allows you to enjoy a splendid view of the lower valley and plain) from which you descend towards Vocca, the path re-enters the woods, makes a broad arc, and reaches Colma Galmanna (1456m), connected to route 574 that descends towards Meula in Val Mastallone.

From the Colma, follow the watershed ridge and you reach Alpe Campo (1636m), located on the southern grassy ridge of Pizzo Tracciora. After passing the pasture and leaving the 404 link to the left, the trail, via a faint track among rhododendrons and alders, climbs the ridge and joins at Alpe Prato Bianco Superiore (1809m) with the 400 route that from Rossa leads to the summit of Pizzo Tracciora.


Special thanks to Marco Fava and the CAI of Varallo for the reference texts.

Turn your outdoor activity into a memorable experience!

Find your guide to fully experience your adventure in Val Sermenza

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Safety in the Mountains

Living and experiencing the mountains requires caution, preparation, and experience. No activity, not even the easiest, should be taken for granted or improvised.

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