Pontboset - Retempio Sanctuary
Pontboset
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Difficulties:E - Excursionist
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Best period:
June - September
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Departure:Vareisa (759 m)
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Arrival:Retempio Sanctuary (1460 m)
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Difference in level:762 m
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length:4317 m
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Ascent:2h20
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Duration coming back:1h30
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Trail sign:2 - 4 - AV2
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GPS tracks:
The Retempio Sanctuary, which dates back to 1835, comprises a chapel dedicated to Nostra Signora della Visitazione and San
Rocco. Inside is a gilded wooden statue of the Madonna and two polychrome statues of Sant’Andrea and San Bartolomeo. The name “Retempio” might suggest the sanctuary is dedicated to Christ, but it is actually named after the nearby summer mountain pasture of Tempioz. From the sanctuary, which is the destination of a pilgrimage tradition held on 2nd July, there is a beautiful view of Mount Rosa and Matterhorn.
Description of the route
Leave the car in the car park in front of the town hall, and take the paved road the goes through the village and down across the Ayasse stream. Continue along the road that runs alongside the stream, then take the old mule track on the right, which rises smoothly to reach Creux and Crest di Sotto (in the last section, the old paved mule track gives way to the new road). Just before you get to the houses of Crest di Sotto, take the trail on the left which follows a pipe of the ENEL company and reaches the valley floor, where you can cross the Brenve stream over a bridge. The climb up to the sanctuary begins just beyond this point, At the top of the steps, the trail continues along the path, and heads left at the crossroad. Go past the derelict cabins in Larsine, until you come to the pastures of Retempio (1460 , where there is the small sanctuary.
