The wild Varallo you wouldn't expect
The Massa del Turlo (Türli in Walser) is located on the ridge that separates the Sesia basin from that of Strona.
Hiking
from April to November
hiking
2h 30min
Varallo - Alpe Piane di Cervarolo (1222 m)
Massa del Turlo (1959 m)
737 m
Its peak is the meeting point of the municipalities of Sabbia (VC), Varallo Sesia (VC), and Valstrona (VB). If you're wondering why “Massa” and not “Monte,” it's good to know that this term is often used in Valsesia to refer to a mountain and is therefore equivalent to “Monte,” “Pizzo,” or “Vetta.” The summit is grassy, easy to reach, and is one of the most famous and popular hikes in the area. From the summit cross, the view extends from Monte Rosa to Resegone (LC), the Orta and Maggiore lakes, and even to the city of Milan, of course on clear, beautiful days.
The itinerary starts from the fraction Piane di Cervarolo and more precisely from the 1222 m of Alpe Piane, located at the end of the road, where it is possible to leave your vehicle. A bucolic place surrounded by mountains and characterized by typical houses and huts, a small church, and the Camosci Refuge.
Take path No. 620 and head, crossing the grazing land, towards a beech forest that leads to Sella Vaneccio (1297 m). Continue to Bocchetta Schillottà, admiring the changing landscape and the increasingly sparse forest. The path then heads to the west slope and regaining the ridge leads to Cima di Ventolaro at an altitude of 1620 m. Continuing along the ridge, you first pass a fore peak to reach Bocchetta del Sonato: the altimeter reads 1900 m. One last small effort to finally reach the summit on which an iron cross was erected, positioned in June 1982 to replace the pre-existing one, which was now in poor condition.
Safety in the mountains
Experiencing and living in the mountains requires caution, preparation, and experience. No activity, even the easiest one, should be taken for granted or improvised.