Balteo hike – Stage 2

A demanding stage, both for its very steep sections and for the physical effort required.
The mule tracks along this route are particularly beautiful. You will pass many villages, but Farettaz in particular is worth a careful visit to appreciate all its architectural details.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, take the left-hand exit towards Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred metres before turning right onto the Valle del Lys road, which is followed all the way to Lillianes. Pass through the narrow section of the village centre until the road widens, then turn left to reach the convenient car park along the Lys.

From Lillianes, walk to the left of the town hall and climb the mule track followed the previous day. At the junction, continue towards the houses of Barbià, where you meet the main road. Cross over and, partly on mule track and partly on road, reach the houses of Saley, where the route of the Alta Via No. 1 joins.
The mule track climbs steeply, passing through several villages before reaching the Chapel of Saint Margaret. The path then becomes less demanding, traversing the wooded slope and eventually reaching the Etoile du Berger mountain inn at Sassaz.
Continue on to cross the main road and enter the hamlet of Sassaz Dessus, where you leave the Alta Via No. 1. The path now levels out and continues to the hamlet of Bourney. After a short flat stretch, follow a rural road uphill until a hairpin bend, where you must take the left branch descending into the woods. Cross the stream and proceed along the rural road until you meet the path leading down to Coumarial.
Follow the main road to the first hairpin, then turn left to reach the Le Soleil farmhouse. Shortly afterwards, turn right onto a mule track that descends to the road below. Walk briefly to the right along the road, then turn steeply left. At the junction, keep right towards the houses of Verghedo.
The path passes through a fine beech wood before reaching the paved road that climbs to Coumarial. Follow it downhill to a bend, where on the right a (not very visible) path leads to the village of Pillaz. Descend through the village to the pretty chapel, then continue a little further before crossing rightwards to join a small rural road. Climb briefly, then descend again to the paved road leading to Farettaz.
Follow the road, cross the bridge, and take the mule track descending into the village. Take time to explore the village thoroughly, visiting its chapel, before climbing to the upper houses.
Here begins a very steep section leading to Mouliné. On reaching the houses, take the path to the left: at first level, then descending, it brings you to Roubin and down directly to Planaz. At the chapel square, descend right along a beautiful mule track to the Guillemore Gorge.
Retrace your steps for a short distance, then continue level along a rural road until you once again meet the paved road. Cross over, climb slightly, and proceed to a short tunnel, followed soon after by a rock shelter with a fine wooden sculpture.
From here, follow a paved road downhill, cross the bridge, and climb slightly to take the mule track leading into the centre of Fontainemore, where the stage comes to an end.