Rifugio Piano della Ballotta, from Lake Serrù

Access

At the motorway exit in Ivrea, take the Pedemontana, Strada Statale , and at Castellamonte the Strada Statale di Ceresole Reale. Once in Ceresole Reale, you skirt the lake of the same name and continue along the Provincial Road of Colle del Nivolet, where access, in the summer months, is regulated or permitted only by the convenient shuttle bus. Continue towards Lake Serrù, pass the hairpin bend near the crowning of the dam, climb to the next hairpin bend and park, on the left, at the next hairpin bend to the right, just above the crowning of the dam, just before the "Glacio Museo".

Introduction

The Pian della Ballotta Refuge rises above the western end of Lake Serrù, below Pian della Ballotta, on the orographic right of the Piccolo Colluret gully. The path that reaches it starts above the crown of the Serrù Lake dam and coincides with the first section of the 'International Trail of the Colle della Losa', which joins the 'Gran Paradiso National Park' with the 'Parc National de la Vanoise'. The climb practically ends near a first grassy balcony. Afterwards, the trail winds its way halfway up the hillside above Lake Serrù (in this section, we also cross the area where the anchorages of the fences used during the Second World War can still be seen).

Description

A few metres from the car park (2299m), well indicated by wooden signs (signposts for Passo Galisia, Rifugio Piano della Ballotta, Sentiero internazionale del Colle della Losa), almost in front of the "Glaciomuseo" building, the trail branches off. The trail quickly ascends to a grassy balcony (approx. 2401m) from which there is a beautiful panorama of Lake Serrù, the Capra Glacier, Cima d'Oin and Cima della Vacca. Continue halfway up the slope, passing some ruins and arriving at a small lake, typically surrounded by the many tracks of the Gran Paradiso National Park animals that come here to quench their thirst. We continue along the hillside, passing by other remains, with the Rifugio Pian della Ballotta now clearly in view in front of us. Continue through grass, gravel and various detritus, passing the stony furrows of several streams, then descend a few metres to go round a rocky spur (alternatively, you can go along it by following a track equipped with a rope), cross the Piccolo Colluret gully and, with a last stretch protected by a rope, reach the Piano della Ballotta hut (2470m, 0h35'). 

The descent follows the same route. Back at the car park, we recommend a visit to the "Glaciomuseo", housed in the former AEM electric cabin. Inside there are themed display boards and photographic panels on glaciers and a model of the "Glacier of the Goat". On the upper floor there are further information boards and a television screen showing a documentary on the world of glaciers.