Leaving Campello Monti, head west on a paved mule track that cuts the meadows of the slope. Less than half a kilometer from the start, you will find the crossroads with the Z99 GTA route for Bocchetta dell'Usciolo. After a bend, cross the stream on a concrete bridge. Route Z17 starts just before the bridge on the right, for the Capezzone peak and the Abele Traglio refuge. After the bridge, the path climbs through cut meadows and soon a remarkable panoramic view opens up: Campello, the old nickel mines, the Strona valley, the Punta dell’Usciolo, the Monte Ventolaro and the Mazza dell'Inferno. At the end of the meadows, the most stony area begins and the Alpe del Vecchio (1465 m) is located under a cliff. Leave the crossroads of the Z15A for Alpe Penninetto on the left and head towards the meadows of Alpe Scarpia (1698 m) with a stretch of winding path on the stony and steep slope. From Alpe Scarpia onwards, the area has all the characteristics of alpine pastures and the climb to the Bocchetta is quite easy and pleasant. A few dozen meters from the Bocchetta, on the penultimate hairpin bend, a path leads to Mount Capio. Then you will reach the Colma hill or Bocchetta di Campello Monti (1924 m) (also known as Bocchetta di Rimella on the Valsesian side). Going down towards Rimella you will quickly reach the Alpe Pianello basin (1801 m) which houses a CAI refuge in Borgomanero; from the alp the path descends another 150 meters and begins a long stretch along the slopes of Punta del Pizzo, furrowed by numerous valleys. At first you will reach the Alpe Versch (1525 m), the Alpe Van, (1470 m) and the Alpe Selle (1449 m), and finally the Cappella dei Morti in the splendid hamlet of San Gottardo (Rund) (1329 m). An engraving on the stone slab at the chapel recalls the year of 1551 which marks the end of the transport of the dead from Campello Monti to Rimella through the Colma hill; the coffin were placed in this chapel for a prayer before going down to the village where they were taken in charge by the people of Rimello who went up to wait for them. The rest of the stage is a comfortable descent towards the main hamlet of Rimella, Grondo.
THE TOUR:
Great Crossing of the Alps - GTA: Northern Piedmont Section
THE STAGES OF THIS TOUR:
GTA Stage 1: Cannobio - Falmenta
GTA Stage 2: Falmenta - Malesco
GTA Stage 3: Malesco - Fondomonfracchio
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell'Isorno Stage 3A: Malesco - Alpe Cortevecchio
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell’Isorno Stage 3B: Alpe Cortevecchio - Alpe Lago
GTA Alternative stage of Alta Valle dell'Isorno Stage 3C: Alpe Lago - Campo Valle Maggia
GTA Stage 4: Fondomonfracchio - Capanna Alpe Arena
GTA Stage 5: Capanna Alpe Arena - Campo Valle Maggia
GTA Stage 6: Campo Valle Maggia - Bosco Gurin
GTA Stage 7: Bosco Gurin - Formazza Loc. Ponte
GTA Stage 8: Ponte - Riale
GTA Stage 8A: Canza - Lake Vannino
GTA Stage 8B: Riale - Alpe Cruina
GTA Stage 8C: Riale - Nufenen Pass
GTA Stage 9: Riale - Alpe Vannino
GTA Stage 10: Alpe Vannino - Alpe Devero
GTA Stage 11: Alpe Devero - Alpe Veglia
GTA Stage 12: Alpe Veglia - Alpe Solcio
GTA Stage 13: Alpe Solcio - Varzo
GTA Stage 14: Varzo - Alpe Arza
GTA Stage 15: Alpe Arza - Alpe Laghetto
GTA Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 15A: Alpe Laghetto Refuge - Andolla Refuge (through Pontimia Pass)
GTA Stage 16: Alpe Laghetto - Cheggio
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16A: Alpe Laghetto Refuge - Andolla Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16B: Andolla Refuge - Cingino Bivouac
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16C: Cingino Bivouac - Oberto Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16D: Oberto Refuge - Macugnaga
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16E: Macugnaga - Buon Pastore Refuge
GTA Alternative stage of Upper Anzasca and Antrona Valleys Stage 16F: Buon Pastore Refuge - Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna
GTA Stage 17: Antrona Locality of Cheggio - Colma Refuge
GTA Stage 18: Colma Refuge - Molini di Calasca
GTA Stage 19: Molini di Calasca - Pian Lago Alp
GTA Stage 20: Pian Lago Alp - Campello Monti
GTA Stage 21: Campello Monti - Rimella
GTA Stage 22: Rimella - Alpe Baranca
GTA Stage 23: Alpe Baranca - Carcoforo
GTA Stage 24: Carcoforo - Rima
GTA Stage 25: Rima - Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna
GTA Stage 26: Sant'Antonio di Val Vogna - Rivetti Refuge
