La Bassa di Terra Rossa Guided Hike
A historical trek along the Alpine Wall to the Bassa di Terra Rossa, above Bersezio in the upper Stura Valley
About La Bassa di Terra Rossa
A walk through frontier history
The Bassa di Terra Rossa is one of the most evocative guided hikes offered in the upper Stura Valley, within the municipality of Argentera, in the Province of Cuneo (Piedmont). This is an expert-led trek conducted by Park Guides, designed to discover the fortified heritage of the Southern Cottian Alps on foot: a world of bunkers, outposts, and military works that once marked the border between the Kingdom of Italy and France.
The route to the Bassa
The trail starts from the hamlet of Bersezio, the last village before the Maddalena Pass, and ascends the slopes of the Oserot massif towards the Bassa di Terra Rossa, at an altitude of 2,426 meters. Along the climb, you will traverse the Alpine Wall: barracks, tunnels, and cavern outposts tell the stories that shaped these frontier mountains. The walk offers expansive views of the glacial lake and the wild Oserot Valley, in one of the most authentic and secluded corners of the Cuneo Alps.
The Cognitio-Fort project
The hike is part of the Border Fortifications series, a collection of cross-border walks promoted by the Maritime Alps Protected Areas Authority in collaboration with the Stura Valley Mountain Union. The series was created within the European Interreg VI-A France-Italy ALCOTRA Cognitio-Fort project, which aims to enhance and promote Franco-Italian fortified structures through a major transnational itinerary, interpretive trails, and guided tours. Walking along these lines means retracing the history that once separated kingdoms and states, now united by a shared path of knowledge.
Who is it for?
The excursion is suitable for moderately fit hikers: the route has an elevation gain of approximately 815 meters and requires about five hours of actual walking time round trip. It is a perfect opportunity to combine a passion for the mountains with the discovery of 20th-century history in the border Alps, accompanied by a Park Guide who will share insights into the sites, structures, and landscapes.
La Bassa di Terra Rossa — edition 2026
The 2026 appointment with La Bassa di Terra Rossa is set for Sunday, July 26, as part of the Border Fortifications cycle of the ALCOTRA Cognitio-Fort project. A day entirely dedicated to the frontier mountains, from the start to the discovery of the Alpine Wall works.
Program of the day
- 8:30 AM — Meeting and departure from the parking lot at the exit of Bersezio, near the chairlift departure
- Ascent of the Oserot massif along military paths, among bunkers and Alpine Wall outposts, with views of the glacial lake and the Oserot Valley
- Arrival at the Bassa di Terra Rossa (altitude 2,426 m)
- Around 4:00 PM — Estimated return to Bersezio
Accompaniment by Park Guide Stefano Melchio. Medium-difficulty itinerary, +815 m elevation gain, approximately 5 hours of actual walking.
Programme La Bassa di Terra Rossa 2026
Sunday, July 26, 2026
- 8:30 AM — Meeting at the parking lot at the exit of Bersezio, at the chairlift departure
- Guided ascent of the Oserot massif along the Alpine Wall paths, among bunkers and military works
- Panoramic stop with views of the glacial lake and the Oserot Valley
- Arrival at the Bassa di Terra Rossa, altitude 2,426 m
- Around 4:00 PM — Return to Bersezio
Park Guide: Stefano Melchio. Medium difficulty, elevation gain +815 m, approximately 5 hours of actual walking (round trip).
Highlights La Bassa di Terra Rossa 2026
Prices La Bassa di Terra Rossa 2026
Practical information — La Bassa di Terra Rossa
How to get there
The meeting point is in Bersezio, a hamlet of Argentera (CN), at the parking lot at the exit of the village, near the chairlift departure. It can be reached by car by taking the SS21 road of the Stura Valley towards the Maddalena Pass.
Difficulty and equipment
Medium-difficulty hike, elevation gain +815 meters, approximately 5 hours of actual walking (round trip). Hiking boots, layered clothing, water, and a packed lunch are essential.
Booking
Participation is by mandatory reservation with Park Guide Stefano Melchio, tel. +39 347 238 5581 (by 1:00 PM the day before) or via email at [email protected] at least two days in advance.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — La Bassa di Terra Rossa
Bersezio, partenza dalla seggiovia