Mont Mars Nature Reserve

The proposed itinerary allows you to explore the Mont Mars Nature Reserve and its stunning lakes.
The first climb is particularly long, but once you reach Col Carisè, the route becomes panoramic with no major ascents. The upper section follows the entire route of Alta Via No. 1 of the Tor des Géants.
If considered as a training route, the times are calculated assuming a speed of one and a half times normal pace (approximately 450 meters in altitude gain per hour).

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right toward Turin.
At the second roundabout, turn left toward Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred meters before turning right onto the Valle del Lys road, which you follow to Fontainemore.
At the beginning of the village, take the small road on the right, where you will find the car park of the Mont Mars Visitor Center.

From the car park, take the mule track ascending toward the cemetery. Just before reaching it, turn left to reach the Bercé bridge, then cross the road and climb to Chuchal. Cross the road leading to Pian Coumarial twice and continue ascending to Thea, eventually reaching Pian Coumarial.
At the beginning of the large car park, the trail to Coda Refuge starts on the right. Follow it uphill through the forest until reaching the Vercosa pastures, where you must turn sharply left to reach the rural road. Follow the road for a few hundred meters until you find the right-hand junction for Coda Refuge.
The trail descends slightly, cross a bridge, and begin to climb. At the next junction, turn right and cross the stream via a small footbridge. Climb through the forest to emerge at a small pass, then continue along a traversing path until reaching Alpe Carisè.
Ascend the small valley to join the path coming from Lillianes, and with a final steep section, reach Col Carisè, where you join the Alta Via No. 1 trail.
Follow the wide and panoramic ridge to reach Coda Refuge, then briefly cross the Biellese side and slightly ascend to Col Sella. A steep descent—requiring care—leads to Lake Goudin and Alpe Serrafredda, from where a short ascent is needed before descending diagonally to Alpe Gouillas, where you join a dirt road.
Follow the dirt road to Alpe Leretta, where you leave the road and climb to the right. The trail traverses the forested mountainside to reach Alpe Crest. Continue on level ground and enter the valley leading to Col della Barma. Descend a short section, then take the right-hand trail that climbs above Lake Vargno to reach Alpe Bonel. Ascend through the forest behind it, then follow a leftward traverse to Alpe Lé Lounc, continue a short section along the mule track, then turn right onto the trail that descends slightly around the wetland and climbs left to the outflow of Lake Barma, shortly reaching Barma Refuge.
From Rifugio Barma, continue along the Alta Via path, crossing high to Colletto del Pino, then descend diagonally to reach the rural road. Follow it briefly, then climb a steep small valley, cross the next plateau, and at the end descend left, following the road for a short stretch before leaving it to reach Alpe Grangeas, from where you quickly rejoin the rural road just below Lago Vargno. Continue along the road until reaching Saral. Avoid the hairpin bend, descend via the trail, and arrive at the houses of Pillaz.
Descend through the village, passing the chapel, and then follow the Cammino Balteo to reach the picturesque village of Farettaz. From Farettaz, descend steeply to Pian Pervero and finally to the main village of Fontainemore.