Riale

Croso del Riale, Riale di Balmuccia, Riale di Gavala Last Update: 22.08.2026 by Matteo Delfitto
Country: Italia / Italy
Region: Piemonte
Subregion: Vercelli
Town: Balmuccia
v4 a1 III
2h35
25min
2h
10min
800m
560m
240m
x
30m
1x60 m + 1x40 m
10
500m
on Foot
Rating:
★★★★★
3.4 (3)
Info:
★★★
1.5 (2)
Belay:
★★★
2 (2)
Summary:
During the summer months it has little water; the ideal flow is found in April/May/early June or after storms.
April - June
Northwest
Diabase
0.80km²
First descent: 15.07.2025 by Matteo Delfitto, Tommaso Porri
Summary:
During the summer months it has little water; the ideal flow is found in April/May/early June or after storms.
Access:
From S.P. della Valsesia, upon reaching Balmuccia, continue toward Alagna. After 500 m, there is a small descending road on the left—take it and park immediately at the first hairpin.
Approach (25 min):
Descend and cross the Sesia on the bridge toward Otra di Balmuccia, then reach the village. After the last house, there is a trail ascending toward the small stream, which is almost always dry. After 100 m, you turn right following some blue points. Climb via traces on the right-hand slope until you find an old trail leading to "Pra di Prello," ascend for 15 minutes. On the left, you can see the chasm of the gorge; you exit the forest for a stretch (meadow) before re-entering. Continue ascending until reaching a wider, slightly less steep forest, then cut to the left (always blue signs). On the edge of the gorge, there is a group of trees with a boulder nearby: this is the only point where you can descend inside the gorge for 10 meters without a rope. Then there is another group of trees from which you rappel 15 m to enter the stream. Total approach: 25 min.
Tour (2 h):
First C7 right from a tree Then MC right from a small tree (only with high flow, for safety) and C12 right Then MC4 right + C16 right, C10 left (single anchor) Then interesting passage with the characteristic “suspended boulder”; C15 right + C25 left (anchor behind the boulder) Then MC8 left + C22 left, C7 right Reach the last 45 m waterfall, doable in a single rappel or divided into C30 right + C15 right (single anchor). After this, exit on the left to rejoin the approach trail; 5 min back to the car. Total: 10 rappels, 2 h. The only exit route is on the right before the last large waterfall; it is clearly marked with rungs and pipes from a water intake. For the rest of the descent, it is impossible to exit but in some places there's the possibility to take shelter from possible floods.
Return (10 min):
After the last waterfall, take the left exit, rejoining the approach path to Otra and the car

Coordinates:

Canyon Start
45.809959°, 8.13945°
DMS: 45° 48" 35.85', 8° 8" 22.02'

DM: 45° 48.598", 8° 8.367"

Google Maps
Canyon End
45.813382°, 8.136908°
DMS: 45° 48" 48.18', 8° 8" 12.87'

DM: 45° 48.803", 8° 8.214"

Google Maps
Parking Entry and Exit
45.81546°, 8.133297°
DMS: 45° 48" 55.65', 8° 7" 59.87'

DM: 45° 48.928", 8° 7.998"

Google Maps

Hydrology: