Reach the Pianetti refuge on a comfortable walk, ideal for familiarizing yourself with the use of snowshoes

Access and parking

About 16 km from Biella you reach, after passing the Sanctuary of Graglia, Bossola locality. Take the Oropa-Andrate scenic road to the right and in 2 km, you will reach Colle San Carlo, where you park your car in the parking lot at the side of the road on the right.

Route

The Pianetti refuge in the winter season is open, by reservation, on weekends. For information contact 338 4355531 or write to rifugiopianetti1321@gmail.com. It may be useful to look for information or updates on the refuge's Facebook page.

Check the snow conditions and consider that the winter mountain, in all its forms, is a potentially difficult and dangerous terrain. Adequate experience, training and preparation is required.

Once parked, it is necessary to find a path up the slopes on the edge of the road. There are several signs in place indicating the direction to the refuge. In the first part of the route, you continue along a track that crosses a wide dirt track several times. Continue, uphill and follow the signs present, until you reach a wide dirt road near a hairpin bend. A little further on there is a sign with directions; always follow the 4b signs that, always along comfortable dirt road, lead to the Pianetti refuge.

The descent is along the ascent route.