Mondolè
T26
Level of difficulty
Type
Duration
3h 00'
STARTING POINT
Colle del Prel - Area Prato Nevoso
Municipality of departure
Frabosa Sottana
Starting fee
1.610 m
POINT OF ARRIVAL
Colle del Prel - Area Prato Nevoso
Municipality of arrival
Frabosa Sottana
Arrival fee
1.610 m
Length of the route
20.6 km
MAXIMUM QUOTE.
1.892 m
Minimum fee
1.470 m
Uphill elevation gain
534 m
Downhill gradient
532 m
Charging column
Not present
However, the Bocconcino restaurant in Frabosa Sottana (Via Corona Borale 14— Prato Nevoso, phone 0174.334279) does have an e-bike room equipped with various amenities.
THE PATH.
A scenic loop trail that starts at the “ Prato Nevoso ” in Frabosa Sottana and leads to the foothills of Monte Mondolé, from which the ski area of the same name takes its name.
Running mostly along a dirt road and with no significant elevation changes, this route offers a firsthand look at the unique karst landforms that characterize the area, while also allowing you to admire the diverse landscapes of the Maudagna Valley and the Corsaglia Valley.
Wild and peculiar is the passage above the Bossea Cave Nature Reserve, an underground uniqueness at the national level but, above all, an area marked by a high rate of floristic and faunal biodiversity.
LOCATIONS AND POINTS OF INTEREST
The Mondolé Ski
Named after Mount Mondolé, which, at an elevation of 2,382 meters, overlooks the towns of Artesina and Prato Nevoso, the Mondolé Ski Area actually encompasses the ski facilities of Prato Nevoso, Artesina, and Frabosa Soprana, with an extension in Rastello di Roccaforte Mondovì. With its 130 km of slopes, it is the largest ski area in the entire province of Cuneo.
The karst
The Ligurian Alps, the first orographic subsection of the western Alpine arc, constitute the largest karst basin in the entire Piedmont region and, over the years, have become a veritable mecca for international caving. Among the most notable features in the Monregale valleys are the Bossea Cave in the municipality of Frabosa Soprana, the Dossi Cave in Villanova Mondovì, and the Caudano Caves in Frabosa Sottana.
Ice Cave
Lying on the northeastern slope of Mondolé, just south of the Artesina ski resort, the cavity is one of the oldest locally frequented, with the first description dating back to 1788. Because of the special weather and climate conditions that insist inside, it is not unusual to find, even in the late summer season, several blocks of ice once used for daily needs.
Bossea Cave
Now surrounded by a nature reserve of the same name, managed by the Maritime Alps Protected Areas Management Authority, the Bossea Cave was the first underground cave opened to tourists in Italy in 1874. It consists, in short, of two distinct parts: the lower section, with majestic and spectacular chambers, and the upper section, which, in contrast, consists of a labyrinth of narrow passages extending across overlapping levels. Separating them is the incredible Ernestina Lake waterfall.
Local Specialties
Frabosa-style chestnut ravioli: the perfect blend of one of the most traditional pasta dishes in Piedmontese cuisine (ravioli, of course) and one of the region’s most historic and renowned local products—chestnuts. Recognized by a specific Municipal Designation of Origin, Frabosa Sottana’s chestnut ravioli have been a symbol of local excellence since 2014 and stand as the most striking and distinctive embodiment of Frabosa’s culinary tradition.
Download gps coordinates of the route
All Mongibike tracks are also available on Tabui
