3 June 2018: Hike in Valsessera

First hike of the year, in the upper Valsessera, from 9.15 am to around 5 pm. FREE FOR MEMBERS

Iron and silver between Artignaga and Rondolere: Woodlands, mountain pastures and ancient metalworking sites

Starting point: Bocchetto Sessera
Access: on foot
Route difficulty: hiking (moderate difficulty)
Points of interest: geological, geomorphological, archaeometallurgical
Elevation gain: approx. 200 m
Estimated distance: approx. 12 km

Itinerary: The meeting point is at 9.15 am at Bocchetto Sessera (1,372 m above sea level), situated along the Zegna panoramic road. The day begins with an introduction to the geology of the area, whose history led to the formation of deposits of silver-bearing galena, chalcopyrite and magnetite, which were mined during the 16th to 19th centuries. Thanks to the promotion of excavations and restoration work by the Mountain Community and the Superintendency of Archaeological Heritage, it is now possible to visit two interesting archaeometallurgical sites: Rondolere and Opificio on the right bank of the Sessera, along a route enhanced by information panels.During the day, you can observe the various types of rock that characterise the area’s rich geological history, which were also used in the construction of the buildings. The entire route is characterised by the variety of the surrounding landscape, at times immersed amongst conifers, at times in a wide, open valley with pastures and mountain pastures, and at times in the shade of a beech forest.From Bocchetto Sessera, the route winds along a wide, almost flat dirt track through the ‘Bosco del Sorriso’ (Forest of Smiles) and has been designed to encourage hands-on experiences with the various tree species, featuring short informative texts and reading points for younger children. Leaving the woodland, you reach the beautiful basin of Alpe Artignaga (1,390 m above sea level), with its ‘tegge’ – the typical mountain huts of the Valsessera alpine pastures – which have been beautifully restored and adorned with flowers. This is where you’ll stop for a packed lunch.
From Artignaga, the route continues downhill (a descent of around 200 metres) amongst old birch and beech trees, alternating between shaded and more open stretches, until we catch sight of the ruins of the Opificio, a testament to the processing of silver-bearing lead, copper and iron ores, containing minute traces of gold. After visiting the site, the route continues along a path until it reaches a waterfall; just above, a bridge allows you to cross the River Sessera to reach, via a wide forest track, the junction signposting the Pietra Bianca 1 mining site, one of the sites associated with iron mining: here the route plunges once more into the beech woods and you can see the entrance to a small magnetite deposit; outside it lies a boulder where various mineralisations are visible. From Pietra Bianca, it is a short walk to the bridge at the Fisherman’s Cottage (1,194 m above sea level) and then on to the Rondolere site, which can be reached via a lovely path along the ‘gora’, an ancient water channel that fed the iron-processing plants. At Rondolere there is, in fact, an ironworks dating back to 1788, which was used to process the magnetite from Pietra Bianca; the blast furnace is also visible, which produced the cast iron that was then worked in the adjacent buildings; as the front section of the blast furnace has collapsed, its internal structure is clearly visible. This site is of truly exceptional documentary value, as the facilities have neither been used nor modified since the 18th century and thus constitute tangible evidence of a complete proto-industrial production cycle. After visiting this final site, we return to Bocchetto Sessera by following the forest track uphill (an ascent of approximately 200 metres), along which you can take a break at the picnic area, where there is a fountain and public toilets.
The excursion is scheduled to end at around 4.30–5.00 pm.
Depending on weather conditions or the route, the programme may be subject to change.
Recommended clothing and equipment: hiking gear (waterproof jacket, walking boots)

Fee for the day: €12 / €8 for children aged 8 to 14 / free for children under 8. FREE FOR MEMBERS.
For information and bookings (please book by 6.00 pm the day before)
Mobile: +39 347 4474021