Colle del Lupo, from Piedicavallo

Introduction

The Col del Lupo or Tuirrison connects the Cervo valley and the Gressoney valley; the excursion described here takes place on a very well marked path, starting from Piedicavallo, and leads to the wild Irogna valley, a side valley of the Cervo valley. The pass can be the starting point for other hikes, such as the ascent to Mount Cresto or Mount Pietra Bianca. In the latter case, the descent can take place, continuing along the ridge, from the Gragliasca pass, from where you descend to Rosazza. The views of Piedicavallo and the Bò peak are very beautiful, while those of the Gressoney valley are more limited.

Description

At the small bar, a path begins (signpost E41) that runs parallel to the bed of the Cervo stream, until it reaches the small cluster of houses of Pianlino. Just beyond the hamlet, cross a bridge over the confluence of the Irogna and the Cervo. Continue straight ahead until the path turns sharply to the left, cross the Cervo on boulders, and begin to gain altitude with a series of bends, until reaching the now ruined Alpe Olmo. Pass in front of the building and start climbing again until you reach a plateau where the Alpe dell'Irogna Inferiore (Irogna Inferior Alp) stands, beyond which the path gains height until it reaches the edge of a ridge, which you follow in its entirety until you reach the Alpe dell'Irogna Superiore. A series of switchbacks takes you past two more constructions, the first being the Scala alp and the second being the Giaspret alp (last construction on the path). Leaving the construction of the Giaspret alp on the left, one gains height until reaching, in a short time, the so-called 'Giaspret gates', consisting of two small stone cairns, beyond which is the small but characteristic Giaspret lake. Past the lake is a fork in the road, very well signposted. To the right is the path that leads directly to the summit of Monte Cresto, while to the left is the pass, and in about 15 minutes you reach the wide depression of the Colle del Lupo or Turrison, where there is an old wooden cross (a book of passes under the boulders of the cross).