Where birds of prey swoop – 8 peaks over 3,000 metres in Monviso

The wind blows through the flags hanging from the summit cross and dries your sweat from the ascent, sending a shiver down your spine. All around, the world is silent. At this height, you can count the number of people you meet on one hand. You greet one another as though you’ve known each other your whole lives, admire the panorama together and list the peaks: the Brec and the Aiguille de Chambeyron, Corno Stella, Monte Matto, Argentera, Oronaye, Bisalta and so on. The Cottian and Maritime Alps combine, creating an amphitheatre of majestic mountains. The focal point, however, is the King of Stone – Monviso. This mountain, that stands alone on the horizon, has fascinated generations for centuries. Sometimes, it likes to play hide and seek, veiling itself in a thick blanket of white cloud.

Along the ascent, you see numerous groups of ibex on the steep slopes; they climb in search of the most nutritious grasses and mineral salts on the rocks. Griffon and bearded vultures hover, circling in search of their next prey, letting themselves be admired in all their pride. Alpine and coral choughs merge into one big chorus. Stoats run fast among the rocks, trying to blend in as best they can, while the marmots’ echoes ring through the valley, warning its companions.

In this Collection, I want to tell you about eight peaks that exceed than 3,000 metres (9,840 ft). I take you far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and deep into the Varaita Valley on the Queyras border and into the Po Valley. From up high, you have a new perspective; you can find solutions to problems that seemed insurmountable.

You need to be fit and sure-footed in an alpine environment to take on the seven hikes in this Collection. You’ll sometimes have to use your hands to scramble up easy climbing passages. It’s important that you don’t suffer from vertigo or feel uncomfortable on exposed sections. The peaks are accessible in summer, when the snow gives way to immense carpets of flowers and the rock faces are free from winter’s icy embrace.

You’ll need hiking boots with proper support to protect your ankles on the scree sections. Warm clothing and a windbreaker are essential too, even in summer, as the weather can change quickly and fog can fall at any moment. Along the trails, you’ll find small springs or streams, but I recommend always starting with a hydration bladder or water bottle: unfortunately, drought and climate change can play tricks on you.

You can reach all of the routes by car or catch the bus from Pontechianale to Saluzzo, which has connections to Turin. The timetables are here: grandabus.it/files/orari/106.pdf. The Monviso Park website (in Italian) has the timetables for the summer shuttle bus that connects Crissolo and Pian del Re: parcomonviso.eu.