Description

EXCURSION TO BALMETTI, ANCIENT WINE CELLARS, IN THE CANAVESE AREA, IN PIEDMONT, CLOSE TO VALLE D’AOSTA BORDER

An itinerary among forests and chestnut trees cultivations which have been restored in this area of Piedmont, close to Valle D’Aosta border. Here rocks and wind create a peculiar microclimate where olive oil and vineyards can grow very well.
Wine tasting and visit of the typical Balmetti, cellars built along the foot of the mountain to exploit the air coming from the earth.

This area is known as Canavese, an historic region in Piedmont from Turin to Valle D’Aosta and from Biella to Vercelli, partly covering the inner depression of Ivrea morainic amphitheatre. The morainic amphitheatre is one of the most important morainic complexes having glacial origins in the Alps and in the world.

For overnight stay see section Programme and in case you want to participate to the excursion on the following day see WINE VS OIL Sunday 9th October

Technical details

Difference in altitude 380 m
Distance 7 km
Real walking time 3 hours and a half
Max altitude 639 m a.s.l.

The itinerary starts in Montestrutto and runs up on the rocks and hills where terracing have been hardly realized to exploit at the utmost the cultivable surface and benefits from the rock: here is the area where olive groves prevails.
The path then continues among forests where ancient farmhouses and mills, stables and chestnut cultivations can be found, to the village of Nomaglio where chestnuts represents an important heritage: here we will visit the Chestnut ecomuseum, an open-air museum to get to know the history of chestnuts
and chestnut trees.
Descent to Borgofranco along a mule track to visit the ancient cellars known as Balmetti, exploiting air coming from the earth (so called ore).
Excursion ends with a gourmet tasting of local wines and product at the Terre Sparse winery.
Return to Montestrutto on foot or by public bus/provate car according to time.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Terracing where olives and vineyards are grown;
Metamorphic rocks contributing to create a unique microclimate in this area;
Forests and chestnut cultivation representing an impotrtant heritage;
Tasting of local wines;
Ancient and typical cellars: Balmetti and the magic of air coming from the earth.

Difficulty level: MEDIUM

Terrain: mostly on mountain paths and mule tracks, easy to walk on.
Gradient: light and constant.
Attention points: slippery mule tracks according to season.

Itinerary suitable for adults and children/teens over 10 in good health conditions and, however, used to walk on mountain paths and on various terrains considering difference in altitude and distance to be walked.
Trekking shoes required with gripping Vibram soles.

Dogs must be on a leash owing to the presence of wild animals in the wood and out of respect for other participants who could be afraid of or annoyed by them. Please, prevent the Guide.

Responsible Tourism

Responsible tourism

The excursions I offer also aim at supporting local economic activities and at living unique experience; closely in touch with and with respect to people and places.

That’s why they often include tasting experiences and/or chance to buy local products directly from producers, mainly small local activities working hard and with passion to keep traditions alive;
That’s why groups I accompany are usually small … in order to meet and live local people and enter their lives and the calmness of the place on tiptoes.

The Cape Town Declaration in 2002 recognises that Responsible Tourism takes a variety of forms, it is characterised by travel and tourism which:

minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts;
generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well-being of host communities, improves working conditions and access to the industry;
involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life changes;
makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
provide access for people with disabilities and the disadvantaged;
is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.

Programme

- Meeting point at 9.30am at the car parking in Montestrutto at rocky climbing wall;
- Excursion among forests and chesnut trees, ancient mills and farmhouses to the village of Nomaglio, where chesnuts reperesent an important features; packed lunch in Nature;
- Visit to typical Balmentti and gourmet tasting in a local winery;
- Return to Montestrutto on foot or by public bus according to time;

In case you are interested to the excursion on the following day Sunday 9th October 22 WINE VS OIL

OVERNIGHT STAY, please direclty contact:

B&B Albero Maestro in Borgofranco d’Ivrea.
B&B Villa Lucia a Borgofranco d’Ivrea
B&B La Rondine in Montestgrutto
Miglio 608 in Montestrutto (area camper e 2 camere)
Ostello San Germano

ROOMS TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 1ST OCTOBER

CANCELLATION/POSTPONEMENT
The excursion can be cancelled or postponed anytime by the Guide at her absolute discretion, in case safe and proper conditions cannot be guaranteed following bad weather conditions on the day of the excursion or on the previous days.
The Trek could be confirmed even though weather conditions are not perfect when safety for trekkers is guaranteed.
IN CASE OF EXTREMELY WORSE WEATHER CONDITIONS THE EXCURSION WILL BE CANCELLED.
Any fees paid will be considered valid as a voucher for following excursions up to a validity of 1 year.
No refund is due in case of cancellation by the participant less than 3 days BEFORE date of excursion.

Participation fee

Adults: € 30.00;
Childrene and teens up to 12: € 20.00

Inclusions: Nature Guide fee accompanying the group – AIGAE LO639; liability insurance; guide expenses.
Exclusions: any lunch and break; any tasting; any transport to the meeting point; injury insurance for participants; any service not included in the item “inclusions”.

EXTRA COSTS

15 € tasting of 3 different wines from Terre Sparse winery and relevant description of the features and production techniques as well as of the features of canavese vineyards by the owner, winemaker and enologist; tasting of some of the typical products such as salami and cheese and more according to season. Not to be missed, the famous Canestrelli di Borgofranco, typical biscuits.
Around 2 to 6 € public bus back to Montestrutto.
Any overnight stay.

RESERVATION WIHIN 2 DAYS BEFORE EXCURSION

ROOMS TO BE CONFIRMED WITHIN 1ST OCTOBER

MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: 3
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS (teens included): 15

Minors must be accompanied by an adult holding responsible.
Participation to the excursions implies unconditioned acceptance of the rules available on my website www.trekandtaste.it.

INJURY INSURANCE FOR TREKKERS
Participation fee only includes liability insurance; no injury insurance coverage is provided to Participants to the excursion. It is advisable to take out a suitable injury insurance.
EIC Organization offer an annual injury insurance which can be activated by the Trip&Trek app and amounting to 10 euros per year, per person. The insurance is valid 1 year whenever you participate to an excursion with and AIGAE Guide. For more details, please contact
info@escursioni-italia.it.

How to reach the meeting point

Montestrutto is in the so called Alto canavese area and it can be easily reached from Milan and Turin direction Aosta. Exit Quincinetto and then follow direction Borgofranco D’Ivrea.
Large and free car parking.
.
Car-pooling according to rules in force and sharing of costs among passengers.

- - Please let me know in case you are willing to share your cars with people coming from your same area of residence in order to meet any requests.

Clothes and Equipmemt

- - - - Hiking shoes are required, preferably high laced-up and having soles in Vibram material to walk safely on any terrain and in any season;
      - Hiking poles considerably reducing stress on joints and knees; telescopic poles are very handy;
      - Backpack to carry snacks and water supplies, packed lunch, spare clothes and personal belongings;
      - Dress in layers according to the season (shirt, long-sleeved shirt, Fleece jacket or sweatshirt, rain and wind stopper jacket); rain stopper in case of summer storms or instable weather
      - Headlamp;
    ATTENTION: trekkers not adequately equipped could be excluded from the excursion on the scheduled day .

Containment measures

According to rules in force

Additional information

Partecipante	Adults, Children (up to 12 years)
Data

Rules

Download RULES.PDF

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

How to behave

Participant to the excursions are required to:

comply with the scheduled programme and with anychange decided by the Guide due to force majeure.

be in good physical conditions and wear suitable outfit as recommended by the Guide in the relevant excursion programme, according to season and type of event; if it is not the case, the Guide is unquestionably entitled to exclude the Participant from the excursion in order to guarantee safety for both the person concerned and other Participants. When the exclusion is justified, no refund at all is

behave properly towards other Participants to the excursion and comply with the rules given by the Guide as to group management, namely in case of emergency and danger.

prevent the Guide before abandoning the group for any reason. The Guide is not responsible for people walking further ahead of the Guide.

respect the environment; collecting or intentionally damaging flowers, trees fossils and the like is strictly forbidden; waste has to be taken at home.

prevent the Guide in case you would like your dog to participate to the excursion , so that we can evaluate whether it is possible and how. We have to consider that the group is formed by people who do not know each other; dogs must compulsory be on a leash all along the excursion; the Owner Participant is solely responsible for the dog and its behaviour and for any problem or damage directly or indirectly caused by the dog. In case the Participant doesn’t prevent the Guide concerning the presence of the dog or the rules cannot be complied with, the Participant and his dog can be excluded from the excursion in any moment. When the exclusion is justified, no refund at all is provided.

co-operate for the success of the excursion by complying with the decisions taken by the Guide, namely in case of danger such as worsening weather conditions, sickness of a Participant…to name a few.

Participants are personally liable for any behaviour which could cause damage to themselves and to third persons, mainly in case they take decisions against the advice of the Guide.

Insurance

Participation fee only includes liability insurance; no injury insurance coverage is provided to Participants to the excursion. It is advisable to take out a suitable injury insurance.

EIC Organization offer an annual injury insurance which can be activated by the Trip&Trek app and amounting to 10 euros per year, per person. The insurance is valid 1 year whenever you participate to an excursion with and AIGAE Guide. For more details, please contact info@escursioni-italia.it.

Further rules

Excursions and experiences are confirmed upon achievement of a minimum number of participants shown on the programme (and up to a maximum number of participants). Minimum and maximum number of Participants are decided by the Guide according to the type of activity and the required effort. Registration is confirmed upon receiving the full amount/deposit (if it is the case) of the participation fee.

In case the minimum number of participants is not achieved, the Guide can decide to cancel the excursion/experience or alternatively offer it at a higher fee to cover all expenses.

Minors must be mandatorily accompanied by an adult taking their responsibility.

Declaration of physical fitness

By accepting this rules, the Participant declare under his own responsibility to be healthy and in good physical and psychological conditions to participate to the excursion. The Participant also declares having provided the Guide all the information needed to properly evaluate his physical conditions and level of fitness being appropriate.

Photos, video, smartphone, and GPS equipments

Photo and Video shooting

Participation to the excursion/experience implies the authorization to release on the internet (facebook, instagram, websites, to name a few) photos and video shootings taken during the excursion/experience by Participants and/or by the Guide for private and advertising purposes. In case you do not want to be shooted, please prevent the Guide immediately before the beginning of the excursion/experience.

Mobiles
Participants are kindly asked to switch off their mobiles, disable the ringtone, or, in case of need, to use them discreetly, in order not to disturb the atmosphere of the group.

GPS tracks recording

It is forbidden to release GPS tracks recorded during the excursion, in respect of the professionalism of the Guide.

Cancellations

Cancellation by the Participant

In case of cancellation by the Participant within 3 days before the event, the amount paid will be considered valid as a voucher for a following event. Any cancellation after that term will not be refunded. Deposits are not refundable.
Vouchers are valid for 1 year from date of the excursion booked.

In case the Participant decides to interrupt the excursion, the amounts paid (including balance) will not be refunded and the Guide will not be held liable for any claims or damage.

Cancellation by the Guide

The excursion could be cancelled or postponed due to force majeure and the amounts paid will be refunded except for bank charges and other costs which do not depend on the Guide’s will.

The excursion can be cancelled and/or interrupted anytime at the Guide’s absolute discretion, in case safe and proper conditions cannot be guaranteed (eg in case of sickness and/or injury of one of the Participant, worsening weather conditions…and so on).

INSTRUCTIONS

How to participate

To participate to an excursion, please buy and pay the relevant event directly on the website or contact me.

Participation to the excursions implies unconditioned acceptance of this regulation.

Participation fee only includes accompanying fee. Any extra cost will be paid separately on site unless otherwise stated (eg tour operator quote).

Before subscribing, please read “difficulty level” and “equipment required” sections so that you can verify the excursion meets your expectations. In case of doubts, please do not hesitate to contact me.

As to car-sharing to the meeting-point, please contact me directly and I will get in touch with participants willing to share transportation. It will be up to you to agree on costs to be shared.

CORONAVIRUS Emergency

Owing to the present pandemic, some rules have to be complied with during excursions in order to reduce risks of infection. Participants are requested to behave properly and honestly and to be adaptable in case of decisions to be taken according to rules concerning containment measures in force, which can suddenly be changed.

Maximum number of participants: 15.

Participation is subject to the following conditions:

The Participant have got NO flu symptoms (on the day of the excursion and on the previous days)

The Participant is NOT subject to quarantine restrictions

The Participant have NOT come into contact with people resulting positive to covid test or people who have got flu in the previous 14 days.

Participants are requested to fill in the self-certification provided and concerning personal good-health conditions, to be given to the Guide on the day of the excursion.

Private and public transportation must comply with containment measures in force. If it is the case, please aerate the car, wear face masks and sanitize hands.

During the excursion, participants are requested to keep interpersonal distance (2 m min.) in order to safely walk without face mask. Please wear your face mask when stopping or when interpersonal distance is not possible.

When meeting trekkers on the opposite direction, stop and let people go by safely, wear your masks and keep distance.

In case of flu symptoms or positive test results after the excursion, the Guide has to be immediately prevented in order to inform participants to the same excursion, in respect of the privacy policy.

For more information, please visit the Italian Health Ministry website http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/home.html

Clothes and equipment

In winter as well as in summer, the advice is to dress in layers and to have a clean t-shirt to wear when reaching the summit or stopping for a long rest. Please carefully read the relevant section in the programme of the excursion you have chosen.

Clothe and equipment generally recommended:

Hiking shoes, preferably high laced-up and having soles in Vibram material; mainly when paths are rough and slippery

Rain and windproof cap/jacket such as a softshell (wind significantly reduces the temperature our body feels)

Water and e snacks (at least 1.5 litres of water per person are recommended); thermos bottle with hot beverages in winter is recommended.

Sun cap/beanie and gloves in winter

Fleece jacket or sweatshirt according to the season.

Sun-protection cream and sunglasses in summer and in winter on snow ground.

Hiking poles are recommended (telescopic poles are very handy); hiking poles helps to reduce considerably stress on joints and knees.

Backpack whose size can carry personal belongings (mainly spare clothes and food supplies) and having comfortable shoulder straps; as a general rule, to prevent injury, a full backpack should weigh no more than 15 to 20 percent of your body weight.

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Terms and conditions