A beautiful outing in a lovely setting, though it’s quite a long one. However, the final section of the Isorno is a truly magnificent reward, and you appreciate it all the more after all that effort!

A beautiful outing in a lovely setting, though it’s quite a long one. However, the final section of the Isorno is a truly magnificent reward, and you appreciate it all the more after all that effort!

Same access as for the Isorno finale, parking at the power station at the foot of the canyon.

The approach time depends greatly on your ability not to get lost! That said, the goal is fairly simple: you need to climb up to the top of the penstock. From the parking area, follow the stream upstream beneath large slabs until you reach a point where a forest opens diagonally to the left, just before more big slabs. Leave the river there — you should come across some ruins. From these ruins, climb up steep, faint paths generally heading left, sometimes following a vague trail marking. A huge fallen chestnut tree blocking the path marks a distinctive spot. Continue to follow the paths as best you can, sometimes more horizontal, always keeping to your left-hand side. Eventually you should reach the penstock. Cross it via a small concrete footbridge, then follow more faint paths (again!) to the left, more or less level, until you reach the chalets of L’Alpe d’Aulogna. From there, continue uphill to the left through meadows and woods until you can see the penstock again above you. From that point, you’ve made it — just follow the rails that run alongside the pipe (you’ll lose sight of it for a while when it goes through a tunnel). The pipe then passes under a kind of avalanche barrier, and crosses three footbridges. Go down to the river after the third footbridge.

A long river walk interspersed with beautiful pools and basins in a magnificent setting. A few small abseils and jumps add variety to the route. The riverbed is fairly wide and the route is quite gentle, but it runs through a deep gorge from which it would be very difficult to exit before reaching the Devil’s Bridge. The final section, however, is very narrow and enclosed, with no possible escape or way to get out of the water.

Once you reach the end of the intermediate section, just below the Devil’s Bridge (Ponte di Diavolo), it would be a real shame to exit there. The reward is the exceptional final section of the Isorno!

From June onwards, the catchment area is vast, but a hydroelectric installation regulates the flow. Keep in mind that the weather must be stable and reliable before attempting to descend the final section.