Residenza La Ruina

Welcome to the largest mountain fortification in Europe. A fortress so large that it was impossible to besiege it. A fortress that by its mere presence has changed the course of history without firing a single shot. A unique fortress in its construction and served for nearly 200 years. The Fenestrelle fortress was built in 1728 after the war of the Spanish succession to defend the Piedmontese territory just claimed against the French. The only Piedmontese fortress that survived the...

From Usseaux the route follows a road to the little lake of Laux. Keeping to the right of the stream, the trail leads to the Albergian pass. It then heads down to the waterfalls at Pis, and on to the village of Clot del Mian. It crosses the river and heads on to the village of Balsiglia. The overview list of all segments of the Blue Trail can be found here: https://www.alltrails.com/lists/via-alpina-blue-trail-riale-sospel

This is a wonderful path immersed in the nature of the Piedmontese pre-Alps and in the history of these places. The departure is at the largest mountain fortification in Europe, the Fenestrelle Fortress also known as the Fenestrelle Fort or the great Piedmontese wall. The path gradually climbs up to the Selleries Refuge (2023m) where it is possible to stay overnight. The Fenestrelle fortress was built in 1728 after the War of the Spanish Succession to defend the Piedmontese territory just...

From Pian dell'Alpe (m 1819) traces of path lead to the hill of windows (m 2176). About 100 m before the hill begins, on the left, the mule track leads to the characteristic rocky spur of the Colle della Vecchia (2480 m). You then enter the Barbier valley along the mule track, which is always wide and supported by characteristic dry-stone walls that go up with some hairpin bends up to the barracks of Punta del Mezzodì. From here the panorama sweeps over the Valle di Susa and the Lake of...