Snowshoeing Adventure in the Alevè Forest: A Loop Hike Past Lago Secco, Lago Bagnour, and Europe's Largest Stone Pine Forest!

 Starting from the hamlet of Villaretto in Pontechianale, we will immerse ourselves in the magic of the Alevè forest, the largest Swiss stone pine forest in the Alps and the southernmost in Europe. Walking here in winter is like entering an ancient temple: muffled snow, deep silence, the scent of resin, and the majestic centuries-old stone pines that accompany us like guardians of time.

Our snowshoe hike is a true journey into the wilderness of Monviso, a circular route that touches some of the most evocative points of the Alevè: the Lago Secco (Dry Lake), an alpine mirror that in winter becomes a corner suspended in silence, and the Lago Bagnour, with its intense color and the forest that surrounds it like a natural amphitheater.

We will not limit ourselves to the lakes: we will ascend to the upper reaches of the forest, to the edge of the Vallone dei Duc, the oldest, most remote, and wildest area of the entire Swiss stone pine forest. Here the forest narrows, the trees become living monuments, and the mountain takes on a primordial character that leaves you breathless.

During the day, we will cross luminous clearings, dense forests, panoramic openings, and stretches of soft snow, also encountering the famous monumental Swiss stone pine near Lago Bagnour, a giant that embodies the thousand-year history of this forest.

Lunch will be at the Rifugio Bagnour, an authentic, warm, and welcoming place to breathe in the purest atmosphere of the mountains and share the moment with the Guidders.

A complete, profound, and exciting experience: one of the most beautiful and meaningful snowshoe hikes in Piedmont.