Entracque - an emotional connection, a sense of being and belonging
Things to do....
SUMMER
WINTER
What to do....
Mountain Treks
There are some less frequented trails in the Busset Valley bordering the National Park.
Here are a few Aldo likes:
Take the road along the river Busset up passed the ENEL Hydro-dam. Then take the GTA M22 trail that climbs through “La Bandie”, a beautiful protected beech wood, to the hamlet of Esterate at 1100 m. Loop back to Entracque through the original main road, that is still there with its old stone walls. The GTA M22 continues up to the 'Colle del Vailletto' 1512 m. and down to 'Ponte delle Rovine' in the Park upstream of Diga della Piastra and up to San Giacomo 1226 m.
The walk from the car park at Ponte di Porcera m. 1078 upstream from Trinita to the old Ponte del Sufiet 1184 m. believed to be of Roman origin through GTA M05 to Gias dell’Ischietto 1357 m. along an old “Salt Road” . The trail continues to Lago della Vacca 2260 m. and Colle del Sabbione 2360 m and on to the French border where it connects with the GTA M23 that goes down to the Lago del Vei del Buc 2054 m. and San. Giacomo 1213 m. The valley is about 12 km. long to the border.
In the 1970 there was a trail GTA M12 that climbed crossing the river on an existing bridge before Gias dell’Ischiettothrough Vallone delle Quarantene to Lago Carbone, Colle del Carbone and San Giacomo and alternatively to Passo del Frassinetto 2612 m. and San Giacomo in the Park but unfortunately it has been abandoned!
Mountain Treks - Gesso Valley
The Gesso Valley offers numerous footpaths in the ‘Parco delle Alpi Marittime’ some of which allow dogs. There are trails that connect with neighbouring valleys and to the French Parc National du Mercantur. This series of interconnecting trails are ideal for multiple day excursions served by well-located hostels which also provide restaurant and overnight facilities. This environment is home to chamoix, steinbocks, marmots, peregrine falcon, golden eagles and an extensive variety of wild alpine and mediterranean flowers.
Pick up a good map 1:25.000 at the Tourist Information Centre in the centre square of the village.
Popular Hikes
- The GTA M13 from San Giacomo m. 1213 to Rifugio Pagari, a hostel at 2650 m. located below Monte Maledia 3061 m. from here a further extension will take you to Lago Bianco.
- GTA M14 from San Giacomo m. 1213 to Lago del Vei del Buc 2054 m. the trek can be extended to Lago Carbone´.
- GTA M11 from San Giacomo m. 1213 to Rifugio Dado Soria a hostel at 1840 m. and Colle delle Finestre, the border to France.
- GTA M8 from the Lago delle Rovine 1535 m. to Lago del Chiotas 2010 m. , Lago Brocan 2000 m. and RifugioGenova below Monte Gelas 3143 m.
The well known 3,000 m. peaks in the area are Argentera 3286 m., Gelas 3261 m., Nasta 3108 m., Baus 3047 m., Paganini 3051 m.
First Ascent of the Argentera William August Coolridge 1850 - 1929
William August Coolridge, American historian and mountain climber, made the first ascent of the Argentera on August 18th 1879.
Coolidge was born in New York City, son of Frederic William Skinner Coolidge, a Boston merchant, and Elisabeth Neville Brevoort. He studied history and law at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire, at Elizabeth College, Guernsey, and at Exeter College, Oxford. In 1875, he became a Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. From 1880 to 1881 he was professor of British history at Saint David's College in Lampeter and in 1883 he became a priest of the Anglican church.
In 1870 at the age of twenty he was made a member of the Alpine Club. Coolidge was one of the great figures of the so-called silver age of alpinism, making first ascents of the few significant peaks in the Alps that had not been climbed during the golden age of alpinism. On many of these climbs he was accompanied by his aunt, Meta Brevoort, and a pet dog, Tschingel, given to him by one of his guides, Christian Almer.
In 1885 he moved to Grindelwald, Switzerland, where he died in 1926.
Mountain Biking
Around Entracque there are numerous trails suitable for mountain bikes and during the summer the ski resort equipped with adapted sky lift is open for exciting downhill biking thrills.
Bike rental is also available at the Tourist Office.
Road Biking
To enjoy road cycling you can climb along tarmac scenic routes to the Lago delle Rovine 1535 m. to San Giacomo 1212 m. and Ponte Porcera 1069 m.
Via Ferrata
Just above Santa Lucia, a 15-minute drive from the village you can enjoy the challenge of a Via Ferrata.
Downhill Skiing
Just above the village there are easy Ski slopes and a Ski school ideal for the novice skier to start learning downhill skiing or to get some more laidback downhill skiing done. Ideal for families with small children.
Bar and Ski rental facilities are available on the site of Sciovie del Viver.
Ski Mountaineering
Ski mountaineering is also popular during early spring and there are local guides available to assist.
Top Entracque Valle Gesso Highlights in the Maritime Alps
Children Playgrounds in the centre of the village and in walking distance near the Country Ski Centre Gelas.
Mini football pitches, tennis and basket ball courts near the Gelas Sports Centre,
Swimming Pool, Gym and Solarium at the Country Ski Centre Gelas.
Uomini e Lupi Visitor Centre fifteen minutes drive from the village
Luigi Einaudi Hidroelectrical power Plant and Visitor Centre fifteen minutes drive from the village
Country Ski Centre Gelas for Cross Country Skiing and Sciovie del Viver for Alpine skiing a few minutes drive from the village
