Dal ?balcone? di Monte Marta panorami mozzafiato
The Cima di Marta (2138 m) is the highest on the watershed between the Val Roia and Valle Argentina, south of Mt. Saccarello. It consists in a wide grassy hilltop from which a vast crest leads towards the Val Roia, culminating in the panoramic Balcone di Marta. The entire zone is high-altitude grazing land, with large alpine prairies broken by an occasional beautiful larch wood, enchanting in autumn when the leaves turn a reddish colour. The starting point for the excursion is the Franco Allavena refuge at Colla della Melosa (1541 m) with sleeping facilities and open all year, the refuge is owned by the Bordighera branch of CAI. Or, in alternative, the higher Grai refuge (1920 m), of the Ventimiglia branch; it is unattended and the keys may be requested at the Allavena refuge. The trek: starting from the Melosa refuge, go uphill towards the west along the mule track that bypasses the long hairpin curves of the vehicle military road, the trail rises rapidly until the Grai refuge is reached, just below the panoramic Grai summit which can be easily reached by a turn off the main trail. From the refuge, follow the dirt road to the north, crossing wide open grasslands and crossing Mt. Ceriana on its east side, until a you reach a small group of rundown barracks. From here take the cart-road that goes west and leads to Balcone di Marta. Balcone di Marta is on a bluff overlooking the Val Roia and the view is spectacular. The area is scattered with works, one of which constitutes the access point to a series of underground military fortifications which are entirely carved into the rock below and are not visible from the exterior. From Balcone di Marta, continue to the rounded Cima di Marta (2138 m), which is reached by means of a wide ridge; from here go down past the abandoned barracks following a fork of the military road. Follow the same route going back. Starting from Colla Melosa, the circuit described takes about 5 hours. The sleeping facilities at the two refuges invite a more complete visit to the area, with two particularly interesting stops. A visit to the underground fortifications of Balcone di Marta, plan on almost two hours of exploration in long, narrow tunnels with no lighting; a good electric flashlight (with spare batteries) is definitely a must. Those who prefer remaining outdoors may choose the climb up Mt. Pietravecchia, south of the Grai refuge. The summit of Pietravecchia is reached from the north by a beautiful military mule track which passes through a larch wood to the top, with no difficulty. The climb up and back takes a little more than an hour.
Motorway A10 Genoa- Ventimiglia, Arma di Taggia exit, then enter the Valle Argentina, following the signs for Badalucco and Triora. From here, go up to Colla Melosa, to the Allavena refuge.
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Length: ?
Difficulty: T
Difference in level: 597 m
Dirt road: yes
Time necessary: 5 hours
Recommended season: Autumn
Ospitality in this area:
Stages of other paths