Hiking - Bric de la Croce Loop

A long and challenging loop, but the views make the effort worthwhile. The circuit follows the slopes of Bisalta on the Boves and Peveragno side. Starting from Castellar di Boves, the route reaches a few pretty hamlets off the beaten path, then follows the pleasant 'via Grima', an ancient road connecting Piedmont to Provence, which was supposedly used by Napoleon Bonaparte himself on his journey from Col de Tende to the Monregalese region. The itinerary then passes through Col de Bercia and near Fontana Cappa, crowning the journey with the ascent of the jagged rock known by many names: Bric della Croce, Bric Croè or, for the locals, simply Rucàs.

Winding through chestnut trees, vast clearings, steep valleys and magnificent shaded hillsides dotted with beeches and birches, the circuit is pleasant and varied. This loop is best done in autumn or spring, but it can also be a beautiful winter excursion when there is no snow. The descent holds several surprises: in Val Fredda, you can still find visible traces of uranium mining, a post-war activity that cost the lives of many miners.

Take the unmarked dirt path that goes into the chestnut grove (go past the junction on the right a few metres after the starting point). Reach Tetto Battaglia and continue through the dense chestnut wood. Take the path on the right that goes into the woods before emerging into a more open area opposite the beautiful houses of Tetti Comba. Shortly after, leave the dirt track to join via Grima on the right (yellow markings), at a 'No Entry' sign. The route continues on level ground, crossing through woods of chestnut and birch trees. Keep right at the junction. You will pass a few houses and the hamlet's bakery on your left. When you reach the ruins of Tetto Battaia (there is a water source here), ignore the junction on the right and walk alongside the ruins of the old hamlet uphill. The itinerary continues on a flat track until you reach a second wooden cross, by the electricity pylons. Follow the yellow markings into a densely wooded area of deciduous trees. The track soon narrows, starts climbing again, then turns left to reach a clearing (Prati Sagnas). Follow the path, keeping left at the next fork. Cross two basins, then reach Col de Bercia via a steep path, and take the path heading east (left), following several wide bends. Shortly before reaching Fontana Cappa, leave the flat dirt track and take a steep path on the left that quickly leads to the summit of Monte Croce or Rucàs. Return to the main path and continue to the pylon; turn right to briefly cross the Peveragno valley, passing a dirt track climbing towards Fontana Cappa shortly after. Follow the path north (left) to reach Tetti Ser, and turn left. Keep left at the next crossroads to descend towards Tetto Cava and Tetti Fenera. The route descends into Val Fredda, where you can see the old entrance to the Bisalta Uranium mines. You then reach Colletto di San Giovenale; follow the dirt track through the forest on the left. At the end of the track, turn left again onto via Tetti Molettino, follow it for a few hundred metres to the road to Castellar, which will take you back to the car park.