RIFUGIO GARELLI (1970M) - PIAN DEL LUPO
PATHS
FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
HIKING TIMES
2 day
Day 1: 2h 30min hike up to the refuge
Day 2: 1h 45min from the refuge to Passo del Duca, 2h 30min from Passo del Duca back to Pian delle Gorre
DIFFICULTY
For experienced hikers
EQUIPMENT
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, windproof jacket, sweater or fleece, trekking poles recommended. A sleeping bag liner (mandatory) is required for overnight stays—available for rent at the refuge.
INFO
For groups, a naturalist guide can be booked in advance for a more in-depth visit to the botanical stations and surrounding environment. For more details, contact the refuge manager.
GIAS, WATER, STONES
(CARSENE TOUR)
Starting from Pian delle Gorre, follow the trail leading to Rifugio Garelli. The path winds through a magnificent forest of silver firs and passes by Gias Sottano di Sestrera, Giaset, Pian delle Vipere (now just a name), and Gias Soprano di Sestrera before reaching the refuge, home to one of the two Alpine Botanical Stations.
After a break and an overnight stay at the refuge, an optional afternoon hike to Porta Sestrera (2,250 m, 35 min from the refuge) is possible.
The next day, the route continues to Laghetto del Marguareis, where the second Botanical Station is located. From there, the trail descends past Gias Soprano del Marguareis and follows the signs to climb up to Passo del Duca (1,990 m).
This pass leads into the stunning Conca delle Carsene, a karst landscape filled with caves, sinkholes, and crevices, a fascinating site for both studies and adventures of speleologists from around the world.
Within the basin, you’ll find the characteristic Gias delle Ortiche. Nearby, a trail branches off toward the scenic and airy Passo del Baban, descending toward Gias Fontana. The path then follows the deer enclosure and climbs back up to Pian delle Gorre.
FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
HIKING TIMES
1day
Day 1: 2h 30min hike up to the refuge, 2h back to Pian Delle Gorre.
extra time to visit botanical station.
DIFFICULTY
Easy hike
EQUIPMENT
Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, windproof jacket, sweater or fleece, trekking poles recommended.
INFO
For groups, a naturalist guide can be booked in advance for a more in-depth visit to the botanical stations and surrounding environment. For more details, contact the refuge manager.
GARELLI LOOP WITH A VISIT TO THE BOTANICAL STATIONS
This stunning and fascinating itinerary takes place entirely within the Pesio and Tanaro Valley Natural Park.
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Starting Point: Pian delle Gorre (1,040 m)
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Follow the old military road up to "Il Salto" (1,200 m).
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Leave the road and take the steep trail through a mixed forest with white fir trees, reaching Gias Soprano di Sestrera (1,875 m).
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Enjoy breathtaking views of the Marguareis Massif, then continue for about 20 minutes to reach Rifugio Piero Garelli (1,970 m).
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Near the refuge, you’ll find the first Alpine Botanical Station, which can be visited after a well-deserved break.
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Lunch at the refuge, followed by a descent through the Vallone del Marguareis, with a stop at the second Botanical Station near the Marguareis lake (1,928 m).
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Return to Pian delle Gorre.
MARGUAREIS TOUR
The Marguareis Tour allows hikers to complete a ring-shaped path around the most famous mountain of the Ligurian Alps, Marguareis. Strongly supported by the Marguareis Park, this trekking route is divided into five stages, each from refuge to refuge. The main attraction of the loop is the remarkable variety of environments and landscapes.
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Starting Point: The Pesio Valley, with its white fir forests in the Natural Park, and then climbing towards the vast grassy pastures of the Upper Ellero Valley.
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The route continues through the Corsaglia Valley, home to the two magnificent lakes of Raschera and Brignola.
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From there, hikers move into the Upper Tanaro Valley, where they can enjoy views of the eastern Ligurian coast before heading back to the Pesio Valley via the Roya Valley and passing through the karst plateau of the Conca delle Carsene.
Thus, the Marguareis Loop connects four valleys: Pesio Valley, Ellero Valley, Corsaglia Valley, and Upper Tanaro Valley.
At 2,651 meters, Marguareis is the highest peak in the Ligurian Alps. It stands as the summit of a massive limestone bastion, carved with steep gullies on its northern face. The southern slope, easier and less steep, has a more karstic and Dolomitic profile. The normal route to the summit is marked on the southern side.
The first confirmed ascent was made on August 21, 1832 by the Ligurian geologist Lorenzo Pareto, who also carried out barometric observations at the summit. The loop is also known as the "Limestone Loop" due to the prominent presence of limestone rocks, which give the mountain its distinctive features: long striations, furrows, deep fractures, and the famous caves.
For more info visit the dedicated page For details, stops and maps consult the itineraries on the page dedicated to excursions in the Marguareis Natural Park website
SENTIERO SORDELLA
A route through extraordinary karst landscapes, charming lakes, and towering cliffs at the foot of the highest peak in the Ligurian Alps: Marguareis (2,651 m).
The loop can be accessed from three valleys: Pesio Valley (from Rifugio Garelli), Tanaro Valley (from Rifugio Don Barbera), and Ellero Valley (from Rifugio Mondovì).
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From Rifugio Garelli (1,970 m), follow the marked trail (passing by the Laghetti del Marguareis at 1,924 m) to reach the base of the via ferrata, where there is an information board about the loop, which should be completed in a counterclockwise direction.
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From here, ascend the Canalino dei Torinesi via the equipped variant (with steel cables and steps), reaching the Colle dei Torinesi (2,450 m). Then, continue along the ridge towards Colle Palù (2,520 m).
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At this point, descend towards the Bivacco Saracco Volante, but instead of reaching it, take the left fork (signposted) towards Colle del Pas (2,350 m).
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Then, descend to Lago Ratoira (2,205 m), where you will find another signposted fork that leads to Porta Marguareis (2,275 m). From here, continue down towards the Laghetti del Marguareis, completing the loop.
For those who wish, the loop can be extended with a climb to Cima Marguareis (2,614 m), which can be reached from Colle dei Torinesi.