Mares Peak

Cima Mares
Cima Mares from La Bassa
Highest point
Elevation	1,653.5 m (5,425 ft)
Prominence	108 m (354 ft)
Isolation	3.67 km (2.28 mi)
Coordinates	45°14′N7°20′E / 45.23°N 7.33°E / 45.23; 7.33
Geography
Location	Province of Turin, Piedmont, Italy
Region	Piedmont
Province	Province of Turin
Parent range	Graian Alps, Alps

Mares Peak (1,653.5 m MSL) is a mountain belonging to the Graian Alps (and, more specifically, to the Lanzo and High Moorish Alps). It is located in the province of Turin between the municipalities of Sparone, Alpette, and Canischio, whose territories converge on its summit. ^[1]

Description

The summit with the Gran Paradiso in the background.

Cima Mares lies on the watershed separating the Orco Valley to the south from the Gallenca Valley  [ it ]. The ridge connecting it southwest to Monte Soglio  [ it ] dips to its lowest point at a saddle (1,546 m or 5,072 ft) near the San Bernardo di Mares chapel. In the opposite direction, the watershed descends to the La Bassa saddle (1,487 m or 4,879 ft), then ascends to the Rocche di San Martino elevations before terminating in the Po Valley near Cuorgnè. ^[2]

The grassy summit dome features a metal summit cross and a large stone cairn. It also hosts a geodetic trigonometric point established by the Istituto Geografico Militare (IGM), coded as "Cima Mares" (042117). Due to its prominent position, Cima Mares is highly visible from the Canavese region below and offers panoramic views of the Gran Paradiso massif and the Ivrea morainic amphitheater. ^[3]

History

On December 8, 1943, a significant battle occurred between partisans and Nazi-fascist forces in the area encompassing Forno Canavese, Monte Soglio, and Cima Mares. The conflict resulted in 25 partisan deaths, with seven killed in combat and 18 executed by firing squad at the Casa del Fascio in Forno on December 9. ^[4]

Historically, Cima Mares lay on the boundary between two now-defunct mountain communities: the Valli Orco e Soana and Alto Canavese. ^[5]

Access to the summit

Summer access

Cima Mares is a popular hiking destination due to its accessible trails and scenic views. Key routes include paths from Madonna della Neve or Sombeila in Canischio the Nero or Balmassa hamlets in Alpette, and Ronchi San Bernardo in Cuorgnè. These trails are generally rated as E (moderate) on the hiking difficulty scale. From the summit, hikers can continue along the Orco/Gallenca watershed ridge to reach Monte Soglio. ^[6]

Mountain biking to the summit from the Gallenca Valley is considered extremely challenging up to the San Bernardo chapel, with the final ascent requiring cyclists to push their bikes. ^[7]

Winter access

In winter, Cima Mares is a classic ski mountaineering destination, rated as MS (moderate skier) on the ski mountaineering difficulty scale. During snowy seasons, the ascent is also feasible with snowshoes. ^[8]

See also

• Graian Alps
• Canavese
• Italian resistance movement

References

1. "Cima Mares". OpenStreetMap. 2025. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
2. Berutto, Giuseppe (1996). Le Valli di Lanzo e l'Alto Canavese[The Lanzo Valleys and Upper Canavese] (in Italian). Turin: Istituto Geografico Centrale. pp. 45–47. ISBN   978-88-85468-07-8.
3. Zanetti, Guido (2010). Alpi Graie Meridionali[Southern Graian Alps] (in Italian). Milan: Club Alpino Italiano. pp. 78–80. ISBN   978-88-365-2345-0.
4. Revelli, Nuto (1977). Il mondo dei vinti[The World of the Defeated] (in Italian). Turin: Einaudi. pp. 120–122. ISBN   978-88-06-16645-8.
5. Compagnoni, Roberto (2003). Geologia delle Alpi Occidentali: Piemonte e Valle d'Aosta[Geology of the Western Alps: Piedmont and Aosta Valley] (in Italian). Turin: Regione Piemonte. pp. 150–152. ISBN   978-88-86050-12-8.
6. "Panorama dalla vetta" [Panorama from the summit]. 2014. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
7. Ciri, Renzo (2015). Scialpinismo in Piemonte e Valle d'Aosta[Ski Mountaineering in Piedmont and Aosta Valley] (in Italian). Milan: Versante Sud. pp. 102–104. ISBN   978-88-96634-89-9.
8. Zavatta, Luca (2017). Scialpinismo nelle Alpi Graie Centrali[Ski Mountaineering in the Central Graian Alps] (in Italian). Milan: Versante Sud. pp. 95–97. ISBN   978-88-98609-61-1.

External links

• "Panorama dalla vetta" [Panorama from the summit]. Archived from the original on March 11, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2025.