From Rimella, proceed toward North on an asphalted road to the junction with the SP 80. Under the curve of the road, take path 538 (indication GTA) which descends towards the valley. Then cross the river and reach Roncaccio Inferiore. From here start to climb the opposite side up to Roncaccio Superiore (1205 m) and the hamlet La Res (1423 m) where you go down the hill to the nearby Fobello Valley. After descending to the hamlet Belvedere, proceed on mountainside towards Ronco and then descend with narrow hairpin bends to the hamlet Boco (1080 m), shortly reaching the bottom of the valley at La Piana (1039 m). Then take the carriage road that runs alongside Stream Mastallone on the hydrographic left, passing through the hamlets of S. Maria (1120 m) and Alpe La Gazza (1175 m) where the asphalt road ends. Leave the branch for the Vallone del Laghetto and Stríenghí on the left, continuing to follow the Stream Mastallone instead. Continuing the ascent, you find Alpe Catolino (1252 m) and Alpe Lungostretto (1291 m), in front of the double Pissoni waterfall. A little higher you cross the Mastallone on a cemented bridge. The mule track rises with a couple of hairpin bends keeping on the right hydrographic side, passes next to a majestic stump of beech trees (altitude 1440 m) and reaches Alpe Baranca (1566 m), consisting of some refurbished huts with a stopover.
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
