Giro del Marguareis
Il Colle del Prel
Il Colle del Prel - Roberto Pockaj
Chiusa di Pesio

Giro del Marguareis

Archeology and history
Fauna
Flora
Geology
Lake
Pastoralism
Viewpoint
Refuge
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Circuit route, all on easy paths. Some orientation problems in the case of poor visibility: but apart from this drawback, the path is suitable for all those who want to do a uncomplicated trek.

You could define this circuit as being in the kingdom of karst, where the pasture as far as the eye can see, interspersed with vertical limestone walls are the principal features. And then dolines, limestone pavements and expanses of white rocks. The lakes are missing, as karst terrain absorbs water at high altitude; but there is no shortage of waterfalls, especially in mid-valley areas, where underground water courses come to light with spectacular results.

4 points of interest

  • La stazione botanica Burnat Bicknell
    La stazione botanica Burnat Bicknell - Roberto Pockaj
    Flora

    The Burnat Bicknell Botanical Station

    The site covers over 10,000 square meters, and is named after Emile Burnat and Clarence Bicknell. Burnat, a Swiss botanist, was the author of the important work 'Flores des Alpes Maritimes'; Bicknell, an English botanist active in Valle Pesio for about thirty years, he was also the first to catalogue the rock engravings of Monte Bego.
    About 500 plant species typical of the Ligurian Alps are collected in the two botanical stations, offering a unique opportunity for both enthusiasts and casual visitors. Illustrative panels describe the various environments and the botanical species are easily recognizable thanks to the scientific name on the labels.

  • Il vecchio Rifugio Garelli
    Il vecchio Rifugio Garelli - CAI Mondovì
    History and historical trail

    Pier Mario Garelli

    The refuge was dedicated to Pier Mario Garelli when it was built. He was known to all as Piero, a lawyer and climbing partner of Sandro Comino. President of the CAI of Mondovì, immediately after the armistice he joined the Resistance, with the III Alpine Division operating in Val Casotto. He was arrested in Mondovì, and initially locked up in Turin. On May 25, 1944 he was transferred to the concentration camp at Fossoli, then to Bolzano and finally to the concentration camp at Mauthausen. He died in the subcamp of Gusen, just before the end of hostilities.

  • Fenomeni erosivi su rocce calcaree
    Fenomeni erosivi su rocce calcaree - Roberto Pockaj
    Geology

    The furrowed fields

    The 'furrowed fields' (also called 'carried fields' due to the shapes that vaguely recall the furrows left by the wheels of carts in the mud) are erosion phenomena typical of limestone rocks, due to the runoff of rainwater.
  • La Conca delle Carsene
    La Conca delle Carsene - Archivio EAM
    Geology

    La Conca delle Cársene

    The Conca delle Càrsene is a vast plateau consisting of limestone rocks, characterized by expanses of bare, white rocks alternating with grassy cover.
    It manifests the typical aspects of karst areas with limestone pavement, dolines and sinkholes. A superficial hydrographic network is completely missing: rain and snow meltwater are immediately absorbed and give rise to the resurgence of Pis del Pesio, located several hundred metres below.
    Curiously, there are also areas located beyond the Alpine watershed, such as Plan Ambreuge, that are part of the catchment area, so water falling south of the Alps, after an underground journey, flow out on the Italian side.

    [Alpi Liguri, p.80]
    [La Guida del Parco Alta Valle Pesio e Tanaro, pp.46-47]

Description

The official route of the Marguareis tour includes five stages. But one of the merits of this ring is the number of paths that connect the stopping places: you can organise the route at will, reducing it to a quick tour around Marguareis in a couple of days, or extending it to five days taking in Mongioie .

Even departure is at your choice: usually Pian delle Gorre, in Valle Pesio, but it is equally good to start from Carnino in the upper Tanaro Valley.

All stopping places are in managed refuges that provideaccomodation and, on request, packed lunches.

The ideal period for hiking is July to September. In the years with little snow even June and sometimes the beginning of October (you should check accommodation opening). August is not a problem, if you take into account the probability of a little heat and clouds that tend to form from lunchtime on.

  • Departure : Rifugio Pian delle Gorre (1032 m)
  • Arrival : Rifugio Pian delle Gorre (1032 m)
  • Towns crossed : Chiusa di Pesio, Briga Alta, Ormea, and La Brigue

Altimetric profile

Transport

Autolinee Valle Pesio S.r.l. - Via Cav. G. Avena, 41/43 - 12013 Chiusa di Pesio (CN) +39 0171-735756 - vallepesio@savgroup.it

https://www.savgroup.it/linee/43.pdf

SNCF line TER Provence Alpes-Côte d'Azur For travel in the PACA region and towards Cuneo www.ter-sncf.com/pac

Trenitalia for travel in the Piedmont region https://www.trenitalia.com/it.html

Access and parking

From Chiusa di Pesio go up the valley to the Charterhouse (Certosa) here follow the narrow tarmac road to Pian delle Gorre. Pay parking in summer.

Parking :

Rifugio Pian delle Gorre (1032 m)

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