The Turlo Pass
Starting point: hamlet Wold (Alagna) 1260 m
Arrival point: Colle Turlo 2738 m
Difference in height: 1478 m
Difficulty: intermediate
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Season: spring to autumn
Point of reference: Refuge Pastore in Alpe Pile
Trail number: n°7
Trail n°7 starts from the GTA (Grande Traversata of the Alps ) and the TMR (Tour of Mont Rosa) and is a particularly suggestive historical itinerary. It's a fundamental connection to the Anzasca valley which in the past was a particularly intense location of passage for the commercial exchange of goods and also for the flow of migrants. In the 14th century Walser colonies from Macugnaga founded the first settlements in the territory of Alagna. Testimony of the important role in the economy of the valley's neighbour of this hill is the place name that identifies it : Colle of Turlo in the Walser language (Ds' turlji) means “ little door”.
The trail was transformed in a mule-track in the 30's by the alpinists allowing the transportation of small artillery to the area. The territory crossed by trail n°7 is found inside the Alta Valsesia Natural Park and is the ideal place to observe the local fauna. In spring it is quite easy to meet herds of Ibex in the pastures which substitute Larch woodlands above 1900 mt and in the pastures of Mittlentail e Faller. In spring the little amphitheatre at the end of the Wasserwiss valley known as Grafenboden or “ noble meadow” is covered by gentianella and high altitude forget-me-nots
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The Route
From Alagna in the direction of Wold where the asphalt road starts that leads to the waterfall, Acqua Bianca. From the square Acqua Bianca, turn onto the trail leading to refuge Pastore and after about 50 m take the turn-off on trail n°7 for colle Turlo.
Alternative routes and connections
From the hill it is possible to descend into Valley Quarazza again until Lake Fate and Macugnaga in valley Anzasca. From Alpe Faller, though, following trail n°7c you'll arrive at Colle Piglimò 2485 m, facing the Rima valley, in about 1 hour.
