Piedmont: Bessanese Trekking Tour, Lanzo Valleys

Hidden within the folds of wild and authentic Piedmont, the Tour della Bessanese is a four-day circular journey embracing one of the most captivating and least-visited massifs in the Graian Alps. Starting from Balme, a village of stone and tradition, the trail winds through flowering alpine meadows, glacier lakes with emerald reflections, and ridgelines that scrape the sky above three thousand metres. Silence is your most faithful companion — no crowds, only the whistle of marmots, the soaring flight of golden eagles, and the distant chime of cowbells. Alpine flora puts on an extraordinary show in summer, with sweeping carpets of rhododendrons and gentians painting the pastures in shades of purple and blue. Rated EE by the Italian Alpine Club, this route demands experience and solid fitness, yet rewards every effort with panoramas stretching from Monviso to Mont Blanc on clear days. Perfect for seasoned hikers craving unspoilt nature, dogs are welcome along the way. The ideal window runs from July through September, when the trails are snow-free and the alpine light turns every ridge into a breathtaking masterpiece.