Intermediate Monviso Trek North

From Pian della Regina, a wide and open grassy plateau at the upper end of the Po Valley, a clear track leads gently upward across smooth alpine meadows. The landscape feels spacious and calm, with a shallow stream flowing nearby and soft slopes rising on both sides. This first section is easy and allows you to settle comfortably into the walk.

As you continue, the ground becomes slightly more varied. The trail crosses low grassy ridges and shallow dips shaped by old glaciers. Scattered rocks, small bushes, and the first larch trees begin to appear. The surroundings remain open, and you gradually start to see more of the higher mountains ahead. The incline is steady and comfortable.

A bit further along, the path enters a pleasant area of larch forest. Here the trail becomes narrower and winds between the trees. The forest is light and airy, with sunlight filtering through the branches. The ground is mostly soft soil mixed with the occasional root or stone. You can still glimpse the valley through the trees as you walk.

After leaving the forest, the scenery shifts into a more rugged alpine landscape. The slopes become steeper, and the trail climbs across patches of stone, scattered boulders, and rockier terrain. Vegetation becomes lower and more sparse, with more exposed rock visible around you. The ascent includes a few zigzag sections, but the route remains easy to follow throughout.

The climb leads to Colle Gianna at 2525 meters, the highest point of the day. This saddle has a more open, stony appearance, with loose rocks and short alpine grass. A painted marker on a large rock indicates the pass. From here, you can look down into the broad grassy valley on the far side and see the ridges surrounding it.

The descent from the pass is gentle and enjoyable. The landscape becomes greener again, with mixes of grass, stones, and small groups of returning larch trees. The trail follows a smooth line across the hillside, making the descent steady and uncomplicated.

As you approach the lower part of the valley, the terrain softens once more. The path widens slightly and leads through open fields and light woodland. Soon, Rifugio Barbara Lowrie appears ahead on a grassy shelf. The refuge sits in a quiet, sheltered area bordered by trees and gentle slopes, marking a pleasant end to this varied and scenic section of the trek.

Leaving Rifugio Barbara Lowrie, the route follows a comfortable gravel road that rises gradually above the valley. The surroundings are spacious, with open grassy slopes, scattered boulders, and larch trees that dot the hillside. As you move away from the refuge, the view broadens and the forested slopes opposite the valley come into sight.

The path continues along the mountainside, keeping a fairly even height for quite some time. This part of the walk feels steady and relaxed. You pass through alternating stretches of light woodland and more open areas where the landscape becomes wider again. The track is broad throughout, making it easy to walk while enjoying the scenery around you.

As you progress, the forest becomes more present. Larches grow closer to the path, and the vegetation thickens slightly, with small shrubs and alpine plants lining the edges. Even in this wooded section, the route remains uncomplicated. From time to time, gaps between the trees give you glimpses of the deeper valley and the ridges rising in the distance.

Eventually the road leaves the forest behind and enters more exposed alpine terrain. The surroundings change noticeably: the ground is more uneven, with patches of short grass, loose stones, and areas of bare earth. Here the climb becomes more consistent. The path forms a series of wide turns, gradually gaining height without becoming steep or technical.

These turns lead you onto a higher, open slope beneath the Barant ridge. The landscape feels broader and quieter here, with only a few rocks and low vegetation scattered across the hillside. The final section of the route follows a gently rising track that heads directly toward the refuge. Rifugio Barant sits a little above the surrounding terrain, on a smooth grassy platform with open views in every direction.

Reaching Rifugio Barant marks the end of a varied and pleasant stage. The route offers an easy start, a long hillside traverse, and a steady climb toward the end, all set in a calm mountain environment with changing landscapes along the way.