Hiking - Il Pizzo d'Ormea

A fairly strenuous climb, both because of the gain in height and the gradient of the path; towards the end of the route the path tends to get lost here and there. To reach the summit you will have to use your hands to cover a few metres of the route.
An enchanting climb which sstays on the long ridge running down to the south from Pizzo d'Ormea. Pastures lower down, rhododendron higher up and sweeping vistas as you climb. On clear autumn days you can see from Corsica to Monte Rosa.

Take the paved road that climbs to the right beside the church of Chionea. Beyond the houses, turn right onto a mule track, the first part is concrete, then paved, it brings you to the Colla di Chionea (1223 m, 0:20 mins from Chionea).
At the pass there is a crossroads: take the first path on the left, which leads through sparse shrubs and outcropping rocks to a sunny watershed.
The ascent, always close to the ridge of the Costa Valcaira, is quite tiring. Once you reach a flat grassy area with a drinking trough, leave the dirt track
and you find the trail signs at the end of the plateau, on the right.
Alternating between the north and south side of the ridge, at an altitude of about 1880 m ignore a track that crosses the path, then, after another
steep slope, turn left onto a path that cuts across the slope to the Valcaira Refuge (about 1990 m, 2:25 hours from the Colla di Chionea).
From the refuge, head north/north-east, returning to the ridge where, at the helicopter landing pad, you re-encounter the path to the summit abandoned just below.
Follow it to the left, climbing a steep slope covered with rhododendrons; leave the path to the lake and the Colla del Pizzo on the right and to first
reach the summit 2365 m, then the saddle to the east of Pizzo d'Ormea (mast). ‪Zig-zag up the steep incline that leads down from the summit, and
using your hands pass some easy rocks. The path (a little exposed) then forks: going left you reach the summit of Pizzo d'Ormea (2476 m, 1:40
hours from Rifugio Valcaira).