The Roads of the Waldensians
- Trail Conditions: On foot
- Interest: Panorama, Hystory
- Departure: Salbertrand (1,054m)
- Duration: 5 hour/s
- Difficulty Level: EE - For expert hikers
- Length: 12.67 km
- Difference in height: 1,300m
In 1686, after Louis XIV, Vittorio Amedeo II di Savoia banned the Waldensian movement and forced those who would not return to the Catholic faith to exile. The consequence of this decision was a strong resistance movement and, those who survived were sent to jail or exiled to Switzerland. In 1689 William III of England, enemy of Louis XIV, organized a coalition against France and, in this context, financed a military expedition in Piedmont formed by about one thousand men, mainly Waldensians.
Leaving from Lemano Lake, the expedition crossed the territory of Savoy and, after a bloody battle which took place in Salbertrand against the French troops and 14 days of march, they could go back to their valleys of origin.
The itinerary, marked with specific trail markers, coming down from Eclause, reaches Salbertrand and crosses Dora Riparia on the bridge Chenebiere. In 1989 a memorial stone and descriptive panels were placed where, on 3rd September 1689, the decisive battle for the return of the Waldensians to their valleys took place. The site has been included in the visit route of the Ecomuseum Colombano Romean.
The itinerary continues then along the GTA, vertically crosses the Park until it reaches the 2,500m of the watershed with Valle Chisone, from where it goes downhill towards Jussaud, district of Pragelato.
In Montagne Seu, those who would like to follow the route of the Glorious Repatriation of the Waldensians can stop at the Rifugio alpino Daniele Arlaud, a strategic lap point.
- Access: Salbertrand-Road of Assietta
- Altitude of the departure point: 1,050m asl.
- Altitude of the arrival: 2,500m asl.
