On the mineral trail - Tour of the Marguareis Nature Park - Stage 4
Randonnée Marguareis. Ail à fleurs de narcisse, (Allium narcissiflorum), dans le Marguareis, (2550 m).
Randonnée Marguareis. Ail à fleurs de narcisse, (Allium narcissiflorum), dans le Marguareis, (2550 m). - Roger Settimo - PNM
Briga Alta

4. On the mineral trail - Tour of the Marguareis Nature Park - Stage 4

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A long stage, not too tiring, first on paths and then on excellent mule tracks ex military.
We cross some of the most important karstic environments of the Alps, with undeniable charm, such as the Ambreuge Plan or the Cuvette des Carsene, characterized by areas of very white rocks and grassy slopes rich in dolines and bétoires, where dozens of entrances to underground cavities open. The final part of the descent takes place in a precious bushy fir forest.

2 points of interest

  • Un tratto della strada ex militare 194
    Un tratto della strada ex militare 194 - Archivio EAM
    History and historical trail

    The invasion road

    The former military road 194 (also known as the Invasion Road) should have connected the Certosa di Pesio with the Colle della Boaria. Begun
    in 1940, as a matter of urgency, work was interrupted in September 1941, with several sections still unfinished.
    It was considered of dubious strategic utility by some, indeed it could have facilitated a possible invasion by the French, by others it was considered a road built with the aim of opening an Italian attack route towards France.
    [Le strade dei cannoni, pp.219-224]

  • 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

From the Don Barbera refuge, take the path which is an alternative to the military route until you reach the Alpine pasture of Pian Ambrogi, heading across one of the most imposing karst high- altitude plateaus that the region has to offer. At Pian Ambrogi, leave the road and take the path on the right to Colla Piana de Malaberga (2219m), close to the caving refuge of Capanna Morgantini, an essential reference point for keen cavers. From there, go down along the former military route, heading along Conca delle Carsene until Gias dell'Ortica (1885m). Then head uphill on the right towards Passo del Duca; do not take the left fork towards Passo di Baban. In the shade of the magnificent silver firs of the Prel forest, you will reach Le Saut, a locality whose name derives from the majestic plunge taken by the waterfall, which is very close by, of the same name. You will then quickly arrive Pian delle Gorre (1000m).
  • Departure : Don Barbera refuge
  • Arrival : Plan de Gorre refuge
  • Towns crossed : Briga Alta, La Brigue, and Chiusa di Pesio

Altimetric profile

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