Level 2/4 – Difficult – MR

Starting point: Borgata Parrocchia, 1548 m – Municipality of Marmora
Highest point: Costa Chiggia, 2156 m
Aspect: South / South-West
Type of route: Circular itinerary

Route

Parking is available at Borgata Parrocchia, in the municipality of Marmora. From the parking area, immediately head onto the wide grassy meadows stretching out behind the cemetery, proceeding north toward the larch forest.

After an initial stretch in open terrain, you intersect the summer trail—initially ignored at the start—which becomes a good reference even in winter. Following it, you reach Grange Cros, a clearly recognizable point. From here, continue along the dirt road toward the Chapel of San Teodoro. If snow cover is scarce, it is possible to avoid the wide hairpin bends of the road by cutting left of the huts and ascending directly through the forest until reaching the chapel, located at 1825 m.

The Chapel of San Teodoro, compact and partly hidden among the larches, is an important landmark and turning point of the itinerary, marking the change in direction toward Costa Chiggia.

From the chapel, continue ascending across meadows and small rocky steps, initially through sparse larch woodland and then in more open terrain, with a consistently steady gradient. This leads to Costa Chiggia (2156 m).

The ridge is wide and well suited to snowshoeing: following the crest, you reach the summit, from which there is a broad panoramic view ranging from Monviso to Punta Tempesta, from Rocca la Meja to sweeping views over both the upper and lower Valle Maira.

From the summit of Costa Chiggia, descend briefly and then continue toward Colle Intersile, following the main ridge. In this section, wide basins are crossed, offering the possibility—depending on snow conditions and the group—to consider an early return without necessarily reaching the pass. Colle Intersile, at approximately 2026 m, nevertheless represents the easternmost point of the loop.

From the pass, take the return route, following the road that descends gradually and progressively leads back toward Grange Cros. From here, crossing the meadows once again, you return without difficulty to Borgata Parrocchia, completing a varied and panoramic loop, particularly suitable for winter snowshoe excursions.

WARNING: Winter hiking, like all outdoor activities, is potentially dangerous.

Proper equipment is required, and participants must know how to use an avalanche transceiver (ARTVA).

For information on snowpack conditions and avalanche risk, consult the AINEVA bulletin:
https://bollettini.aineva.it/bulletin/latest

For weather forecasts:
www.arpa.piemonte.it/bollettino/previsioni-meteorologiche