Route 3 – Cedra Valley

Route: Monchio d.C., Trefiumi, Ballano Lake-Valditacca-Pianadetto-Monchio d.C.

  • Departure: Central Square (Piazza Caduti di tutte le Guerre)
  • Difficulty: TC+/MC
  • Length: 18 km
  • Height difference: 642 m
  • Surface type: Asphalt: 73%, dirt roads: 24%, trail: 3%
  • Presence of water: Villages, Lake Ballano
  • Support points: Villages, Lake Ballano (summer only)

The route allows you to reach Lake Ballano, one of the countless lakes that give the Hundred Lakes Park its name, and return by visiting the quaint villages of Valditacca and Pianadetto.
The route, apart from a short section of singletrack after Lake Ballano, is technically easy but physically requires some effort because of the steep climb to the lake.
From Monchio take provincial road 665R “massese” and start climbing in the direction of Trefiumi.
Having passed Trincera and now within sight of the village, leave the main road to climb to the right among the first houses following an ancient lane (Via Aostana) that leads to the village church, which you cross.
On leaving the village, turn left and after the hairpin bend climb right onto the road to Lake Ballano, which you follow steadily uphill to the dam that heralds the lake.
The route continues to the right.
Going left instead, following the Cento Laghi Bike signs, you can reach the tourist resort of Prato Spilla in a few minutes.
Leaving the asphalt road, one climbs on gravel passing a bar.
Shortly after, you will find the fork on the right, which you follow going up among fir and beech trees until you reach Val di Tacca.
A short stretch of technical single track (difficulty BC) leads to a wider forest road that continues downhill to the ford of the Rio del Lago Verde (passable safely only in summer) after which the descent continues steeply (a few stretches with loose stones) until it joins the wider gravel road that quickly leads to the Cedra and the Colla Pass road.
When you reach the road, turn right and when you reach Valditacca, cross the characteristic village and continue on the main road to Pianadetto, which you also cross.
Leaving the village you leave the main road to turn left at the cemetery, cross the Cedrano stream continuing through the meadows to Trecoste from which you follow the road back to Monchio re-entering the village from the church and the central Via Brigata Julia.

INFO and USEFUL LINKS

  • Monchio delle Corti
    Trefiumi
    Lago Ballano
    Valditacca
    Pianadetto
    Monchio delle Corti

  • USEFUL NUMBERS on excursion 118
    118 Medical first aid
    115 
    FIRE DEPARTMENT
    1515 
    ENVIRONMENTAL Emergency (and forest fires)
    112 
    CARABINIERI Emergency Response
    113 
    STATE POLICE Emergency Response
    PARCHI DEL DUCATO – tel 0521802688

All routes: