A quiet connecting stage, still on little roads and off-the-beaten path paths. Taking place mainly in the woods, it does not offer grandiose views, but passes through authentic villages which, hit by depopulation, have retained their original appearance and allow you to get an in-depth idea of the unfolding of daily life in the mountains.

Walk along the tarmac car park to the north of the church. After a few dozen metres, turn left at the fork. After a few houses, the road becomes a dirt track. At the fork, turn left onto the small road that descends and makes a sharp bend to the north, entering the Arvaja cumbal.

The dirt road follows a long semicircle of about three kilometres, briefly entering the town of Cartignano. Past a beautiful stone hut located in a very scenic area, after about a kilometre, now in the town of San Damiano Macra, you follow an avenue bordered by birch and fir trees that leads to the large meadowy plateau, where the chapel of San Chiaffredo stands, protector of Monviso climbers. The chapel does not have a bell tower, this is instead located in the nearby Roi hamlet: it is said to have been built there to protect the bell.

Continue along the dirt road slightly downhill towards the west, passing the Roi hamlet. 200 metres further down, leave the dirt road behind and turn right onto a forest track, which almost immediately becomes a mule track, bordered by dry stone walls and, further on, by vertically laid slates.

The path continues on a gentle descent, passing ancient huts and leading to the clearing where Mostiolais located, a beautiful hamlet with an original bell tower built with wooden poles.

Follow the little road ahead of the houses, which becomes a path and later joins a dirt road. Follow it uphill to the right and, after a few dozen metres, leave it to turn left onto a small path (be careful: it is not obvious).

The path descends and passes over Grangiassa. At a fork, turn right onto the Sentiero del Puy, or “Puy Path”, which climbs again for a short distance. A long, winding descent begins shortly afterwards, leading past several coves and side streams before reaching Molineri di Pagliero.

Cross the village and turn right onto the tarmac road that, after a few bends, joins the road that leads from San Damiano Macra up the Pagliero valley, the lowest point of this part of the route (950 m).

Turn right and head uphill for about one kilometre, until you reach Pagliero. It is worth noting the three religious buildings next to each other that share a single bell tower, evidence of the different periods of the settlement.

Continue on the tarmac road up the valley. It is possible to take some short cuts that pass through Paschero, with its large pillar, and Sasia. After the latter, however, it is advisable to proceed on the tarmac road because the next shortcut crosses private land.

Pass Chiabrierion the tarmac road, then the chapel of San Marco, higher up the road, and Bianchi. After a slight slope, you will pass Bersia, after which you should keep to the right. After a final bend, the stop point inn appears, Il campo della quercia.

Text and photos by Cuneotrekking.com