Bessanese Tour (Tb)

The TOUR OF BESSANESE (TB) is a circular route in high mountains (2200-3200 m above sea level) that winds through the Southern Graian Alps, at the border between Italy and France, around Uja di Bessanese (3604 m) and Croce Rossa (3566 m). The route has a total length of about 32 km, divided into three stages, and takes place almost entirely on marked paths or tracks. Although it does not present any particular alpine difficulties, the route is classified as EE (Expert Hikers) due to the harsh high mountain environment in which it takes place, an environment that becomes even more challenging in non-optimal weather conditions and in the presence of snow or fog. Therefore, appropriate equipment and good physical training are required to undertake it. The departure can take place from any of the three refuges of the Tour (Rifugio d'Averole, Rifugio Gastaldi, and Rifugio Cibrario). The stopping points are located in the aforementioned refuges, which are guarded during the summer and equipped with winter rooms that are always open. Although it is possible to complete the Tour in either direction, it is advisable to follow it clockwise. The optimal period for tackling the route is from late June to early September. From the French side, you can reach the Rifugio d'Averole from the municipality of Bessans/Averole (Haute Maurienne). From the Italian side, Rifugio Gastaldi is accessible from the municipality of Balme (Loc. Pian della Mussa) and Rifugio Cibrario from the municipality of Usseglio, both in the Lanzo Valleys about 50 km from Turin.