Orco Valley Night Vertical Circuit - Vertical Cima Mares
The opening stage of the Orco Valley evening mountain running circuit, from Alpette to Cima Mares
About Vertical Cima Mares
A vertical race in the heart of the Canavese
In the village of Alpette, in the province of Turin, the Vertical Cima Mares takes place, the stage that kicks off every season of the Orco Valley Night Vertical Circuit (also known as the Orco Valley Night Vertical Circuss). This is a vertical running circuit—the specialized mountain running discipline consisting solely of climbing—that traverses the towns and hamlets of the Orco Valley, in the upper Canavese, along trails that reveal mountain villages, forests, and high-altitude panoramas.
The Alpette race covers a 3.3-kilometer course with 700 meters of elevation gain, from the village up to Cima Mares. It is a short but intense distance where competitors push themselves relentlessly up steep gradients: a formula that has made the circuit a success among trail and skyrunning enthusiasts in Piedmont.
The evening hours and the nocturnal atmosphere
The hallmark of the circuit is the timing: the races are held in the early evening hours, when the sun dips behind the ridges and the mountains take on a special glow. Hence the name "Night Vertical." Running toward Cima Mares at sunset, through wooded switchbacks and high-altitude clearings, offers an experience quite different from classic daytime races and is one of the reasons why the event is also loved by hikers who come to cheer on the runners.
Alpette, a balcony between the Orco and Soana valleys
Alpette is a tiny mountain village nestled on a plateau at nearly a thousand meters, between the Orco and Soana valleys, on the borders of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The town is known for its astronomical observatory and the silence of its trails: the Vertical Cima Mares is the perfect opportunity to discover this lesser-known corner of the Canavese and the sporting spirit of the local community, which mobilizes every year with volunteers, committees, and local associations.
A ten-stage circuit
The Vertical Cima Mares is just the first of ten events that wind from June to October between Alpette, Ceresole Reale, Noasca, San Colombano Belmonte, Locana, Sparone, and Salto. In addition to the individual stage rankings, athletes compete for the final circuit ranking, which rewards consistency and participation throughout the entire season. The event is organized by the ASD Gran Paradiso Valle Orco with the support of the Gran Paradiso Mountain Union and local associations.
Vertical Cima Mares — edition 2026
Il 2026 dell'Orco Valley Night Vertical Circuit prende il via il 17 giugno ad Alpette con la Vertical Cima Mares, sul tracciato di 3,3 km e 700 metri di dislivello positivo che dal paese conduce alla Cima Mares. Come da tradizione, la gara si disputa nelle ore preserali, fra boschi e radure d'alta quota della Valle Orco.
Questa prima prova inaugura un calendario di dieci tappe distribuite da giugno a ottobre fra i comuni e le frazioni della valle, con classifica finale di circuito a premiare costanza e partecipazione. L'organizzazione è curata dall'ASD Gran Paradiso Valle Orco con l'Unione Montana Gran Paradiso.
Programme Vertical Cima Mares 2026
17 giugno 2026 - Vertical Cima Mares (Alpette)
- Percorso: 3,3 km da Alpette alla Cima Mares
- Dislivello positivo: 700 m
- Tipologia: gara di sola salita, in orario preserale
- Tappa: prima delle dieci prove del circuito 2026
Calendario del circuito 2026
- 17 giugno - Alpette: Vertical Cima Mares
- 26 giugno - Ceresole Reale: Vertical del Guardiaparco
- 2 luglio - Noasca: frazione Jerener - Trucco
- 8 luglio - San Colombano Belmonte: Cappella Bioletto (punteggio doppio)
- 15 luglio - Locana: Piantonetto - Alpe Ges
- 23 luglio - Locana: frazione Fey - Santuario Sant'Anna Meinardi (bonus punti)
- 2 settembre - Locana: Trucca
- 9 settembre - Salto - Belice
- 17 ottobre - Locana: frazione Nusiglie - Croce del Faggio (finale e premiazioni)
Orari di partenza, ritrovo e modalità d'iscrizione di ciascuna tappa sono comunicati dall'ASD Gran Paradiso Valle Orco in prossimità dell'evento.
Highlights Vertical Cima Mares 2026
La salita preserale di sola salita verso la Cima Mares, con vista sulla Valle Orco al tramonto, e l'apertura ufficiale del circuito 2026 di vertical running.
Prices Vertical Cima Mares 2026
Practical information — Vertical Cima Mares
How to get there
Alpette can be reached by car from the A5 Turin-Aosta motorway (exit Volpiano-San Giorgio Canavese), continuing toward Cuorgnè and the lower Orco Valley; the final kilometers consist of a winding mountain road.
When
The Vertical Cima Mares is held in the early evening; it is recommended to arrive early for bib collection and parking in the small center of Alpette.
Registration and information
Registration and operational details (start times, meeting points, fees) are managed by the ASD Gran Paradiso Valle Orco. For information: Gran Paradiso Mountain Union, tel. +39 0124 839164, [email protected].
Tips
As this is an uphill-only race at altitude, trail shoes, a water supply, and a thermal layer for after the race are recommended, as evening temperatures in the mountains drop rapidly.
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Where does it take place — Vertical Cima Mares
Alpette - Cima Mares