Guided Hike - Becco Rosso Saddle (Cognitio-Fort)
Walking through history among the fortifications of the Stura Valley
About Becco Rosso Saddle
A trek through the history of the border Alps
In the heart of the upper Stura Valley, in the municipality of Argentera (Province of Cuneo, Piedmont), a guided hike takes place that combines the beauty of alpine panoramas with the historical memory of border fortifications. Starting from the hamlet of Pontebernardo, the walk ascends an ancient former military mule track immersed in a suggestive larch forest, until reaching the Becco Rosso saddle, a wide grassy viewpoint overlooking the southern Cottian Alps and the nearby border with France.
On the trail of the Alpine Wall
Along the ascent and at the destination, you will encounter numerous works built to defend this sector of the Stura Valley: bunkers, tunnels, and batteries that were part of the Alpine Wall, the defensive system built along the Italian alpine arc. Among the visitable testimonies, the Opera 14, a machine-gun post dating back to the mid-1920s, and the Becco Rosso Battery stand out. The Park guide accompanies participants, recounting the events of these works and their role in the transformations of the border between Italy and France over time.
The Cognitio-Fort project
The hike is part of the Cognitio-Fort project, funded by the European program Interreg VI-A France-Italy ALCOTRA 2021-2027. The initiative is dedicated to the knowledge, safety, and enhancement of the fortified heritage of the Southern Alps, and sees the collaboration of the Management Body of the Maritime Alps Protected Areas with the Département des Alpes-Maritimes, the Mercantour National Park, and the Stura Valley Mountain Union. The summer guided hikes are part of a wider calendar of events that crosses the Stura, Gesso, Vermenagna, and Roya valleys.
Who is it for?
- Easy difficulty hike, suitable for moderately fit hikers
- Elevation gain of approximately 743 meters
- Duration of approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of actual walking, round trip
- Packed lunch at the grassy Becco Rosso saddle
A precious opportunity to discover, at a slow pace and in the company of an expert guide, a little-known corner of Piedmont where high-altitude nature guards the memory of a century of European history.
Becco Rosso Saddle — edition 2026
Daily program
The hike on Sunday, June 28, 2026, opens the summer calendar dedicated to the fortified heritage of the Stura Valley. Park guide Roberto Pockaj will lead participants from the hamlet of Pontebernardo towards the Becco Rosso saddle, encountering the defensive works that guarded this stretch of the border along the way.
Schedule and logistics
- 8:45 AM - Meeting at the Pontebernardo parking area (Argentera)
- Ascent along the former military mule track in the larch forest, with stops at the fortifications
- Packed lunch at the grassy Becco Rosso saddle
- Around 4:30 PM - Expected return to the starting point
Programme Becco Rosso Saddle 2026
Guided itinerary
Meeting at 8:45 AM at the Pontebernardo parking area, a hamlet of Argentera. From here, the ascent begins along an ancient former military mule track that crosses a beautiful larch forest.
- 8:45 AM - Meeting and departure from Pontebernardo
- Ascent towards the Becco Rosso saddle with observation stops at the defensive fortifications of the Stura Valley
- Guided tour of the Alpine Wall works (including Opera 14 and the Becco Rosso Battery)
- Packed lunch at the grassy saddle
- Around 4:30 PM - Return to the Pontebernardo parking lot
Easy difficulty, suitable for moderately fit hikers; elevation gain +743 meters; duration approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes of actual walking. Guide: Roberto Pockaj, Park Guide.
Highlights Becco Rosso Saddle 2026
- Guided tour of the Alpine Wall fortifications along the ascent
- The defensive works of Becco Rosso and the former military mule track in the larch forest
- High-altitude panorama of the Stura Valley and the Italo-French border
- Initiative of the European Interreg ALCOTRA Cognitio-Fort project
Prices Becco Rosso Saddle 2026
Practical information — Becco Rosso Saddle
How to get there
The meeting point is at the parking area of Pontebernardo, a hamlet of Argentera, in the upper Stura Valley. By car, take the SS21 of the Maddalena Pass towards the French border. The nearest train station is Cuneo, from where you can continue by car or by valley transport.
Booking
Participation is free but booking is mandatory, to be made at least two days in advance by indicating your name, surname, and telephone number. Limited places: minimum 4, maximum 12 participants.
Tips
Wear hiking boots and layered clothing suitable for the mountains. Bring water, a packed lunch, and sun protection. Always check weather conditions before departure.
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Where does it take place — Becco Rosso Saddle
Pontebernardo (frazione di Argentera)
Area parcheggio di Pontebernardo, 12010 Argentera