Discovering Via Alpina in Valle Stretta

From the center of Turin to the entrance of Valle Stretta in just under two hours using public transport, first by train and then by shuttle bus. What should be the norm in a country that aims to promote tourism is an exception in the Italian Western Alps. To reach most valleys and hiking destinations, a private car is almost always necessary. Those who don’t own a car — or cannot drive due to age, whether too young or too old — are left out.

The accessibility of mountain areas was a topic discussed by the young participants from Turin during the hike breaks and the evening spent at the welcoming Terzo Alpini refuge. "Many of the areas near our city are accessible almost exclusively by private vehicles," some of the young hikers commented on the way back. "This creates two kinds of problems: on one hand, those who don’t have a personal vehicle struggle to reach these places; on the other hand, those who live in the mountains are bound to private transport to access services or for daily mobility."

Making the mountains more accessible would benefit both residents and tourists. But by its very nature, the mountain is a less accessible territory compared to other areas, as well as more delicate and fragile. A key question raised by the young participants was whether the mountains should always be made accessible to everyone. In some cases, when accessibility is expanded, the impact on the environment and local communities can be devastating. At the very least, those coming to the mountains — whether they are embarking on long treks like the Via Alpina or simply escaping the heat of the plains for a day of cool air — must show respect and know how to behave, as the mountains are not a commodity for consumption.

Links:

www.terzoalpini.com/IT/rifugio.html (it),  www.bardonecchia.it/come-muoversi-a-bardonecchia/navette/ (it)