Colle del Turlo

The Colle del Turlo in the Valais Alps—or the Pennine Alps—connects the Valsesia Valley with the Anzasca Valley. Thanks to the expansion of the Vallo Alpino, the pass is easily accessible and offers breathtaking panoramic views.

Description

The tour begins in the small village of Spiss. From here, the route follows the Torrente Anza to Isella, a traditional Alpine-style village featuring natural stone masonry, wood, and stone roofing. You’ll circle the village and then follow the forest road steadily uphill to Lago delle Fate, the Fairy Lake. Lago delle Fate nestles gently into the natural landscape and offers an easily accessible recreational area. The route continues along the forest road for a while longer before switching to a mule trail and then climbing nearly 1,200 meters in elevation to Colle del Turlo. Mostly pushing the bike, with some sections pedaling, you gain elevation meter by meter. E-mountain bikers with solid uphill skills have the edge here, making the climb both a real challenge and a welcome change of pace. Once you reach Colle del Turlo, impressive panoramic views open up over the surrounding Valais Alps and the striking road construction from the 1930s. Especially in the upper section, the road’s construction—with its paving, cuts, and embankments—is clearly visible.

The descent is generally rated S2 in difficulty, with no real surprises; it’s consistent and easily manageable. Only in the fall can there be some slippery spots due to the north-facing orientation, as the rocks in the lower section receive little to no sun throughout the day. Passing Lago delle Fate, the route takes the final trail shortcut back to the starting point before the tour ends.

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