Walking, especially in the mountains, is not only a physical but also a spiritual experience. a modern form of meditation. Praying with your legs. It is certainly not for nothing, that you encounter so many crosses, chapels and madonna"s high in the mountains. Especially in Italy.

Vallanta Valley

It is no coincidence that in Castello we leave at the curious church with a fully painted façade. It is the path to rifugio Vallanta on the famous tour of Monte Viso. A beautiful path with strong rising parts, which make you gasp for breath but also flatter sections, where you can get back to. As plant lovers, we can also take a little break when discovering another rare gem, in this case one flower flower with hanging checkered head. It reminds me a bit of a tired mountain walker. Our route for today is not yet fixed. Depending on the conditions and condition, we still want to be able to choose. At a junction you have to decide, either right up to the tempting mountain lakes of Bertin and Lungo, or straight ahead to the rifugio Vallanta, located on the Lago della Bealera Fourisa. We choose straight ahead. The path suddenly becomes wider and a little further there is a small crane working to improve the path. A strange but also liberating view at this altitude, watching the bulldozer David fight against the mountain giant Goliath.

To my delight we also encounter the buldozer among the plants, my favorite plant Rhodiola rosea. I nibble a bit overconfident on a leaf, but the taste does not really appeal to me, luckily a sip of fresh stream water can wash away the drying taste.

View of Monte Viso

In the meantime, we approach the rifugio, clouds become more stubborn and also hide the impressive Monte Viso from our sight. Somewhere there must be that 3841 meter high block of granite. Suddenly the cloud curtain slides open and we see not only the state-of-the-art refugio but also the inexorable Monte Viso. Impressive so sudden and so close to us.

It's noon and we decide to have a picnic inside. It's cold here at 2450 meters. Inside beckons the luxury of a modern espresso machine, unfortunately the machine no longer worked. So drink tea but.

Loset tapas

There are six of us and Eddy with the broken knee decides to descend the same road again. Brave that he got this far. After information in the refuge, the bypass that we planned on a not so clear path can also not be walked. And... so we, Hilde Miguel, Christine, Chantal and Maurice, decide to take the big leap over the Passo della Losetta 2872 meters high and continue through the long valley of Soustra to return directly to our residence Chianale.

So on to the Losettapas. A good choice? The Monte Viso plays more and more hide and seek, the path becomes increasingly unclear and the snow becomes higher and higher. Exciting, strenuous but unforgettable beautiful. Still doubt about the correct col, to the right the Passo di Vallanta is indicated and to the left where I suspect the Losettapas,... nothing is indicated.. Fortunately I discover some trail tracks and after half an hour of cheerfully plodding in the snow we are at the cairman, yes no snowman, on the hill. Mary is also immaculate of the party in her gaze shelter.

Descent in snow and fog

We cheerfully, but the descent suddenly looks invisible. White below and white from above. Fortunately, there's a footprint in the snow ahead of us. The only way to get down is to follow that trail and then just hope that this man has gone in the right direction and that those footprints don't suddenly disappear into the white delirium for us. According to the map, we have to keep to the left and so do the unknown traces, and that also gives some support.. You descend, although it may seem like wandering, but with the descent there is also some light and air and land are slowly separated from each other again. The long, grassy valley of Soustra is in front of us, after a few more hours of walking and sniffing green, we can safely land again in Chianale. Thanks to the unknown footprints for us.