Following the Tracks of the King and Mussolini
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Departure: Terme di Valdieri (1,368m)
- Duration: 6 to 6 and a half hours
- Difference in height: 1,100m
This ring-route between Vallescura lakes and Questa Mountain Hut is one of the "classic tours" of the protected area. The main points of interest are represented by the several lakes touching the head of the valley and Piano del Valasco, a wonderful plateau which in the past was covered by a lake. Here, in the 19th century, Vittorio Emanuele II built one of his most beautiful hunting lodges. Several mule tracks leave from the Plateau: they used to lead to the hunting areas. In the 1930s, these tracks were modernized by Mussolini, who fortified the borders with France. Barracks, bunkers, and roads were built here until the beginning of the war: many roads were paved and dug into the rock to overcome the most difficult stretches. A unique historical and military engineering heritage in the Alps.
From the Park Visitor Center, follow the former military carriage road entering and developing on the orographic left of Vallone del Valasco. You can make the route shorter by taking the mule track leaving from the first hairpin bend of the road. Cross Piano inferiore del Valasco (1,760m) and climb to Piano superiore (1,832m), where you will cross the creek. After ignoring a detour on the left, the mule track climbs up to a junction near a big larch, and continue on the right to reach lower Valscura Lake (2,274m). To reach the mountain hut, climb on the left and, following a large mule track, sometimes paved, you will reach the shores of Claus Lake (2,344m). After climbing slightly, turn right to reach Questa Mountain Hut (2,388m) dominating Portette Lake. The itinerary continues along the military road crossing the Prefouns big valley and reaches the Valmorta, where you can turn left downhill and go back to the Valasco upper plain and the uphill way.
