Varaita Valley

Varaita Valley (in Italian Valle Varaita) is a valley in south-west of Piedmont, in the Province of Cuneo - Italy.

Varaita Valley
Valle Varaita
The artificial lake of Pontechianale, in the highest part of the valley
Schematic map of the valley
Floor elevation400–3,841 m (1,312–12,602 ft)
Lengtharound 40 km (25 mi) west east
Geology
TypeRiver valley
Geography
LocationPiedmont, Italy
Coordinates44°35′N 7°04′E 

Etymology

It takes its name from the Varaita, a right-hand tributary of the Po which flows through the valley.

Geography

Close the French border the valley is divided in two sub-valleys named Valle di Bellino (south) and Valle di Chianale (north), which meet near Casteldelfino.

The municipalities of Varaita Valley are Bellino, Brossasco, Casteldelfino, Costigliole Saluzzo, Frassino, Isasca, Melle, Piasco, Pontechianale, Rossana, Sampeyre, Valmala, Venasca and Verzuolo.

Notable summits

The most important mountains of the valley are the Monviso (3.841 m) and its subpeaks.

Other relevant summits of the valley, all belonging to the Cottian Alps, are:

  • Valle di Chianale:
    • Monte Losetta - 3054 m
    • Monte Ruine - 3143 m
    • Monte Aiguillette - 3298 m
    • Pic d'Asti - 3219 m
    • Rocca Bianca - 3064 m
    • Monte Pelvo - 3024 m
  • Valle di Bellino:
    • Mongioia - 3340 m
    • Testa di Malacosta - 3212 m
    • Monte Ferra - 3094 m
    • Testa di Malacosta - 3212 m
    • Pelvo di Ciabrera - 3152 m
    • Pelvo d'Elva - 3046 m
  • Mid and lowest part of the valley:
    • Punta Rasciassa - 2664 m
    • Monte Nebin - 2510 m
    • Testa di Garitta Nuova - 2385 m
    • Monte Birrone - 2131 m
    • Monte Ricordone - 1764 m
    • Monte san Bernardo - 1625 m

Access

The valley can be reached by car/bus from Po Plain following the strada provinciale[1] della Valle Varaita; it also can be accessed by the French region of Queyras by the Collle dell'Agnello, the third highest Alpine pass crossed by an asphalted road.[2]

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See also

Notes and references
  1. Strada provinciale = provincial road
  2. La leggenda del Colle dell'Agnello, web page on www.piemonteciclabile.it (accessed in December 2012)
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