The Roads of the Forts - stage 6 from Perosa Argentina to Fenestrelle

Starting from Perosa Argentina, go up to the square of the swimming pool, flank the bowling alley and then on the left follow the path equipped with panels along the old canal to the hamlet of Brancato and then cross the provincial road (SR 23) and continue uphill to the hamlet of Chialme following the signs for Breirè.

From Chialme, passing through Prageria and Rio Agrevo, it is possible with a detour to go to see the beautiful Pissa Waterfall and get back on the path in less than 1Km. After a few meters you forget the noise of the road and find yourself enveloped by oak, cherry, ash, chestnut and blackberry trees!

Following the trail just before the entrance to the hamlet of Ciapella, you take a wide path on the left (which you can also hook up from the center of the village if you like to cross it) that leads you to Bec Dauphin, the quintessential symbol of the disputed border between Dauphiné and Savoy and its troubled history.

After a visit to Bec Dauphin, we resume walking on the old royal road until we reach the ruins of the Casaforte Auruç, named after Oberto Aurus, Marshal of the Dauphin of Vienna around 1239, and then reach the hamlet of Lageard, again surrounded by fruit and aromatic plants. Go through the hamlet and take the path halfway up the hillside among the chestnut trees that takes us to Serre.

Follow the road to Castel del Bosco, immediately after the church turn right and then left following the Dahu Trail in this section to reach Vignal and its beautiful murals. The trail continues next to the hamlet wash house, where the Strade dei Forti signs have been posted, on a comfortable mule track, passing above the village of Roreto until you reach the road, where you turn right to reach Balma. This entire stretch is accompanied by blackberry bramble bushes that provide a tasty snack and hazelnut trees that offer shelter from the sun.

Passing through the hamlet of Balma one can admire several murals depicting typical moments of daily life in the hamlet in the past, as well as all the tools that were used for agricultural work. Leaving the village, continue on the mule track to the bridge of the Rouen stream; past the stream, follow the path on the left towards Villaretto. Continue until you reach the center of the hamlet and descend to cross SP23.

On the way you will encounter a grocery store with a good selection of products, a well-stocked tobacco shop selling various items, and a delightful bar with both indoor and outdoor space.

Continue following the road to a fork on the left (shortly after the parking lot with the fountain) that leads the route downhill toward the Chisone stream. The road becomes dirt, passes by the reservoir, and continues. A sign indicates private property but not to worry: the path bends left after a few hundred meters!

What you are traveling on is the ancient Via dei Romani that goes up the valley to Pragelato, almost mostly on the reverse side.

This section is full of hazel trees that form romantic arches on the path; a few rays of sunlight filter through the leaves and give beautiful colors. You can also notice that you are getting higher: conifers are sprouting up, increasingly abundant.

At the crossroads, we leave the Via dei Romani and cross the bridge to climb up toward the hamlet of Mentoulles. It is worth climbing up by crossing the SP23 road to visit the picturesque center of the hamlet and then resume the route.

When you reach the main road, follow it for a short distance to the Orsiera- Rocciavré Park headquarters and take the road downhill on the left, following the signs for Granges. On the way you meet a bar/trattoria and a grocery store with typical local products. You cross the stream again and can already spot the Fenestrelle fort on the mountain ridge to the right. You rejoin the Via dei Romani, which at this point is a dirt road that runs alongside the stream, and at the fork you keep to the left, passing a playground and picnic tables scattered along the track, until you reach the village of Chambons, the scene of the Women's Rebellion in 1898 to protect the Selva from the exodus. Today, this area can be visited thanks to a hiking trail that has been equipped to allow visitors to immerse themselves in a valuable historical-naturalistic landscape. Within the Selva there are also monumental trees: magnificent larches, good giants with foliage formed by soft light green needles that stand to protect their mountain.

Once past the forest, continue until you reach the hydroelectric power plant and the Carlo Alberto Redoubt, which is clearly visible as it towers above the trees along the stream. From here you can choose to follow the road that rises slightly to the left after the power plant, which is usually less busy, or take the Via dei Romani again, continuing straight along the creek. The two roads rejoin just before the entrance to Fenestrelle, at the height of the bridge. Going up a little more on the same road in the opposite direction to Fenestrelle, it is possible to visit the ruins of Fort Mutin, or the "first fortress of Fenestrelle," which was built in the late 17th century by the French to protect the then (French) Val Pragelato from the danger of Savoy attacks. A beautiful walk with explanatory panels guides visitors through the striking ruins nestled in the woods.

Descending from Fort Mutin, one crosses the bridge to enter Fenestrelle. You pass the school and climb up Via Roma to reach the central street of the village: Via Umberto I. Here you can find a grocery store, several bars and restaurants, a fabric store and a technical mountain clothing store, two hair salons, and much more.

Strolling through the ancient streets of the village, one can savor its history, closely intertwined with the history of the fort of the same name.

Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the environment and season

There are water points in almost every township encountered along the route.

Arrive in Pinerolo by following the A55 for those coming from Turin. Then take the SP23 Sestriere road and follow the signs for Perosa Argentina.

Bus www.torino.arriva.it

In downtown Perosa Argentina there are some public parking lots.

Before embarking on any excursion, it is advisable to consult weather reports or ask for information at local Tourism Offices.

It is good practice not to embark on a hike alone, always notify your destination.

Do not throw garbage into the environment but take it with you, picking up any garbage left by others.

The hiking times given are approximate and may vary depending on weather conditions and your own ability.

Learn more about the Chambons Forest Women's Rebellion:

http://www.parchialpicozie.it/news/detail/29-12-2021-la-selva-di-chambons-e-la-ribellione-delle-donne/

http://www.parchialpicozie.it/news/detail/04-01-2022-la-selva-del-chambons-e-la-ribellione-delle-donne-parte-seconda/

It is worth delving into the Vignal hamlet to admire its colors among flowers and murals painted on walls and doors.