Cima delle Lose e Encestraia

Cycloalpine of great satisfaction and all in all with good rideability, technically not challenging apart from the stretch below the summit of the Lose and the Encestraie a bit exposed and to be done on foot even downhill. Departure from Bersezio towards Ferriere, at the third hairpin bend follow the dirt road that takes us to the Argentera slopes. Challenging climb for the slope that, however, allows us to gain altitude quickly up to Colle Incianao from which we reach the Andelplan and the end of the beautiful little valley on stony ground (about 2400 m). From here to the overhanging summit of the Cima delle Lose are about 400 mt d+ in easy and pleasant backpacking bike.

From the summit panorama of the entire Stura Valley and the next destination, Encestraia!

Low saddle we face the beautiful slope, steep but not difficult that brings us back on the pastures below with beautiful descent at the end of which awaits us a very slight up and down on a brushed path except for a short downhill section to be done on foot and with care that takes us on the meadows that briefly to the Bassa di Colombart and with trivial but beautiful path to the Puriac Pass.

From Puriac we continue toward our destination on beautiful trail to an altitude of about 2600 m, then about 400 d+ of bike back to the summit through the beautiful and wild valley between the Rocca dei Tre Vescovi and Encistraia.

Climb the last characteristic rock-banded section to reach the summit with truly remarkable views at an altitude of 2954 mt.

Mouth downstream you ride the first short stretch, then the spirit of conservation recommends proceeding with the bike at your side up to the detrital collar from which you can timidly try a few stretches in the saddle rather challenging and still with frequent passages on foot until you get to the stony ground below the Rocca dei Tre Vescovi from which you finally climb in the saddle, first on scree, then on compact and very fast ground.

Back at Colle del Puriac we head downstream on a very fast trail, short sections more rocky but without any difficulty, we just have to be careful at an altitude of 2350 m to keep to the left and not be tempted to follow the track that then stops on a cliff. With a toothy grin you arrive at a bottleneck near a water intake, here continuing straight ahead you arrive at the state highway, we instead ford the stream to take a trail that immediately widens to a dirt road and traverses high back toward Bersezio.

Continuing straight ahead we arrive at Bersezio still on a dirt road, but to make the most of the 300 mt d- , we take a track that descends (follow gps track) initially not very evident and that turns back and descends into the woods with pleasant ride to the bottom of the valley. Crossing the stream we ride along the state highway, but shortly after for those allergic to asphalt you can take a pleasant dirt road on the right that reaches the Argentera ski lifts on the other side of the river.

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