The one at Alpe Pile is a hike suitable for families, children and mountain enthusiasts.
We are at the Wold parking lot, backpacking, see the shuttle and off we go!
We park our car at the parking lot of the Wold, the last parking lot in Alagna and here we can see the winter ski lift and imagine the snow-covered meadows with children having fun skiing.
In front of us is the shuttle waiting for us, we take the ticket and in less than 10 minutes here we are at Acqua Bianca (1450 m). We stop for a few moments to admire the spectacular waterfalls and immediately take trail number 206.
In less than 10 minutes we are facing another waterfall, these are the so-called "Boilers of the Sesia," what a wonder!
An "obligatory" stop is at the Visitor Center and Botanical Garden at Alpe Fum Bitz.
These are located in the highest protected area in Europe: the Alta Valsesia Nature Park, at an altitude of about 1,600 m.
The garden was established in 1999 and is home to a wide variety of species and large floristic-vegetation areas where there are 131 types of flowers.
You can find it open in summer, or by reservation at other times of the year; you can, thus, acquire all the news about the flora and fauna of the Park!
In about 20 minutes of walking, here we are at Alpe Pile (1575 m) where there is the Pastore Hut and a splendid view of Monte Rosa; this is one of the most important viewpoints on the South Face of Monte Rosa.
In addition to the many meadows and pastures, there are high rocks here with round-shaped erosions called "Giants' potholes". It is thought, in fact, that giants have passed through and these have left their footprints!
These cavities are actually the result of the significant erosive action exerted by the glacier.
Children really like to play on these rocks, also because in the "Giants' potholes" there are some tadpoles.
The Refuge was built in 1972, and the Varallo Sesia section of the Alpine Club dedicated it to the memory of member Francesco Pastore, brother of then sectional president Gianni Pastore, who died prematurely in a car accident.
The building consists of four characteristic, completely renovated huts where larch wood and typical Valsesia stones predominate.
In the main building you can find the restaurant offering excellent cuisine and the bar equipped with a large panoramic terrace. In the adjoining lodges you can find the dormitories and dormitories.
Let's not forget that there are binoculars outside the Refuge that will allow you to admire all the peaks of Monte Rosa!
The Refuge offers a dedicated space for tents; if you want to experience the mountains under the stars, this enchanting place is for you!
The lodge offers a stay in a facility surrounded by nature and overlooking Monte Rosa. Waking up, opening the window, feeling the fresh air on your face while observing Monte Rosa right in front of you, will give you all the energy to live a day full of emotions!
