1. Alto Tanaro Tour, stage 1 : from Barchi to Chionea

From Barchi cross the bridge over the Tanaro to Nasagò.
Cross the main road and climb up a mule track first, then back on the road, up to Santa Libera.
To the right of the church, a mule track continues uphill to San Giacomo di Eca (859 m, 0:35 mins from Barchi).
A beautiful mule track touches in succession of villages, Vacieu (fountain), Cariò (or Carià, 1155 m, fountain) and arrives at Albra (1078 m, 1:15 hours from San Giacomo di Eca).
Go to the right between the houses, then follow a path that takes you down into the valley of the Rio Peisino, which you cross.
Again on an easy mule track you reach Villaro (1038 m, 0:40 mins from Albra).
At the church you enter the asphalt road and turn right, pass through the hamlet of Lunghi (fountain) and descend on the tarmac. Go right and follow the road until the first bend, where you go left to Airola (1111 m, 0:25 mins from Villaro).
Beyond the village the path climbs through the oak grove up to the Pilone delle Caranches; once you reach an altitude of about 1180 m, go down to the left and cross the Rio Conche.
With a long stretch on a slight slope you reach the village of Perondo sottano, you cross the ruins and reach a panoramic rocky ridge, from where you go down to the left through the chestnut grove to the hamlet of Valdarmella (1045 m, 1:15 hours from Airola).
Here you find the surfaced road and climb to the right. Continue until you find a path on the left that goes down to cross the Torrente Armella on a wooden bridge.
Beyond the bridge the trail signs lead uphill through the hazelnut bushes to Colla di Chionea (1223 m, 0:55 mins from Valdarmella). From the pass you go down to the left, to Chionea.
Here you turn left again to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (1104 m, 0:15 mins from Colla di Chionea).
The Chionea Refuge is located a few yards past the church, in the direction of Ormea, above the road to the left.