Via Alpina Red R139

The Via Alpina Red R139 is a high-mountain day stage in Italy's Maritime Alps, running point-to-point from Strepeis to Sant'Anna di Vinadio in Piedmont. Climbing roughly 1,100 m of elevation over a single 6–7 hour day, it is rated moderate to strenuous and finishes at Sant'Anna di Vinadio, the highest pilgrimage sanctuary in Europe at 2,035 m.

About the Via Alpina Red R139

The Via Alpina is a network of five colour-coded long-distance trails created in 2000 by public and private organisations from the eight Alpine countries, with EU funding flowing in from 2001 until 2008. The project was initiated by the Association Grande Traversée des Alpes in Grenoble, which ran the international secretariat until January 2014, when responsibility passed to CIPRA in Liechtenstein. Of the five routes, the Red Trail is the longest, spanning 161 stages (R1–R161) and crossing all eight Alpine nations — Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland — from Muggia near Trieste to the Place du Palais in Monaco.

Stage R139 sits deep in the southern, Italian heart of that traverse. It links Strepeis, a hamlet in the Vallone della Barbera above Bagni di Vinadio in the Valle Stura, with Sant'Anna di Vinadio, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. The operator is via-alpina.org, and the official record for this leg is published as stage 319 on the Via Alpina portal. This is genuine Maritime Alps country: a compact, southern corner of the range where 3,000 m peaks rise barely 50 km from the Mediterranean, producing an unusual blend of alpine snowfields and almost sub-Mediterranean light.

The defining feature of R139 is its destination. Sant'Anna di Vinadio is the highest Marian sanctuary in Europe, perched at 2,035 m beneath the frontier ridge with France. For centuries pilgrims and shepherds have followed these valleys, and the stage retains that mixed character — part wilderness trek, part historic pilgrim path. Walkers tackling the full Red Trail use R139 as one of the closing Italian sections before the route crests into France and drops, eventually, to the sea.

Route Overview & Stages

R139 is a single official Via Alpina stage, but it breaks naturally into segments that help with pacing. Exact surveyed distance is not published in the official record, so the figures below are realistic planning estimates based on the terrain between Strepeis and Sant'Anna di Vinadio.

Total walking time runs to roughly 6–7 hours for a fit hiker, with around 1,100 m of cumulative ascent. The terrain is mostly well-marked mountain path; the upper sections cross open, exposed ground where snow can linger into early summer.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Sant'Anna di Vinadio sanctuary (2,035 m) — the highest Marian pilgrimage sanctuary in Europe, a working shrine with a hospice, chapel and centuries of pilgrim tradition, and the natural climax of the stage.
• Bagni di Vinadio — historic thermal baths in the Valle Stura, fed by sulphurous hot springs and used since Roman and medieval times, just below the Strepeis trailhead.
• Vallone della Barbera — a quiet glacial side-valley carpeted with larch, alpenrose and summer pasture, threading up toward the frontier ridge.
• Alpine tarns of the upper basin — small high-altitude lakes that mirror the surrounding peaks and host frogs, newts and grazing chamois at dawn and dusk.
• Frontier ridge passes — saddles on the Italo-French watershed offering long views toward the Argentera–Mercantour massif, the highest ground in the Maritime Alps.
• Maritime Alps wildlife — marmots, chamois, golden eagles and, increasingly, the recovering Alpine ibex and wolf populations of the cross-border park network.
• Lou Saraìre and mountain hamlets — clusters of stone Occitan-culture buildings reflecting the distinctive Provençal-Alpine heritage of the upper Stura valley.
• Wartime fortifications — remnants of early 20th-century border defences scattered near the high passes, relics of this once-strategic frontier.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R139

The viable window for R139 runs from late June to late September. Earlier than that and the high basin and frontier passes hold snow that makes navigation and footing dangerous; later, the first autumn storms and shortening days raise the risk of being caught out at altitude.

The single best month is August. By August the snowfields above 2,200 m have almost entirely cleared, the sanctuary at Sant'Anna is fully operational with daily services, and high-mountain huts are reliably staffed. Daytime temperatures in the valleys sit around 22–26 °C, cooling to roughly 6–10 °C at the passes, and the Maritime Alps enjoy some of the most stable summer weather in the entire range thanks to their southern position.

July is a strong alternative with longer daylight, though afternoon thunderstorms are more frequent and lingering snow is possible after a heavy winter. September brings crisp air, thinner crowds and superb visibility, but as of 2026 hikers should check hut closing dates carefully, since many Maritime Alps refuges wind down staffed operations from mid-September. Whatever the month, start early: storms here typically build after 14:00, and reaching the sanctuary by mid-afternoon keeps you well ahead of them.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The obvious overnight option is the hospice at Sant'Anna di Vinadio itself, where the sanctuary offers simple pilgrim lodging and a refectory; expect roughly €40–55 for half board, and book ahead in August. Lower down, the village of Vinadio and the Bagni di Vinadio area have small hotels, B&Bs and a thermal-spa hotel, generally €60–95 per double room. Staffed CAI (Club Alpino Italiano) refuges in the wider Valle Stura charge around €25–35 for a dormitory bunk and €18–22 for an evening meal; CAI members receive a discount. Wild camping is restricted in the cross-border protected areas, but discreet bivouacking above the tree line for a single night is broadly tolerated provided you leave no trace. Carry enough food to be self-sufficient, since resupply between Strepeis and the sanctuary is non-existent.

Getting There & Back

The gateway town is Cuneo, about 60–70 km east. Cuneo has a railway station with regional connections to Turin (around 1 hour 20 minutes) and onward to Turin Porta Nuova. From Cuneo, regional buses run up the Valle Stura to Vinadio and Bagni di Vinadio (roughly 1 hour 15 minutes); a seasonal summer service continues to Strepeis and, on certain dates, to Sant'Anna di Vinadio, which simplifies the point-to-point logistics enormously. The nearest major airport is Turin (Caselle, TRN), about 2 hours 30 minutes away by car or combined train and bus; Nice Côte d'Azur is a scenic but longer cross-border alternative. Driving, you can leave a vehicle at Strepeis and use the summer shuttle to return from the sanctuary.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk R139 — the Via Alpina is a freely accessible public trail. There are no entry fees for the surrounding protected areas either, though parking near the sanctuary may carry a small seasonal charge during peak weekends. The only costs are accommodation, the optional shuttle bus and any donations you choose to leave at the sanctuary. EU citizens should carry an EHIC card; all hikers are strongly advised to hold mountain-rescue insurance, since helicopter evacuation in the Maritime Alps is expensive without cover.

Gear & Packing List

R139 is a high-altitude day stage with rapid weather swings, so pack for full alpine conditions even in midsummer: waterproof shell, insulating midlayer, sun protection, 2 litres of water capacity and proper grippy boots for snow patches and loose rock near the passes. A lightweight, well-fitted pack makes the 1,100 m climb far more comfortable — the 2400 Windrider is ideal if you are travelling fast and light for the day, while the Arc Haul Ultra 50L suits multi-day Red Trail through-hikers carrying hut gear. If you prefer a structured, supportive panel-loader for heavier loads, the Abisko Hike 35 is a durable mid-volume choice. Bring trekking poles for the steep upper descent, and plan calorie-dense food: see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day to size your snacks correctly. Choosing the right pack matters more than almost any other decision — our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models for exactly this kind of terrain.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Italian Alps appeal, the Dolomites offer some of the most spectacular hut-to-hut traverses in Europe, with airy ridgelines, via ferrata options and a refuge network that makes long-distance walking remarkably civilised. Hikers who enjoy the wild, frontier feel of the Maritime Alps and the Via Alpina's pilgrim heritage often look next at the Balkans — our guide to the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers a similarly dramatic cross-mountain pass. For more long-distance Italian inspiration, consider these classic Alta Via routes:

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R139?
August is the best month. By then snow has cleared from the passes above 2,200 m, the Sant'Anna di Vinadio sanctuary is fully staffed, and the Maritime Alps enjoy stable southern weather with valley temperatures around 22–26 °C. July works too but brings more afternoon storms, while September offers crisp visibility before huts close from mid-month.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R139?
It is rated moderate to strenuous. The stage climbs roughly 1,100 m over 6–7 hours on well-marked mountain paths, with exposed high-altitude sections near the frontier passes where snow can linger into early summer. No technical climbing or via ferrata is required, but good fitness, proper boots and confidence on loose alpine terrain are essential.

How far is the Via Alpina Red R139 each day?
R139 is a single Via Alpina day stage, estimated at around 14 km from Strepeis to Sant'Anna di Vinadio. Exact surveyed distance is not published in the official record, but realistic walking time is 6–7 hours including breaks. Most hikers complete it in one day, finishing at the sanctuary, which also serves as the overnight stop.

Where can I stay along the Via Alpina Red R139?
The main option is the hospice at Sant'Anna di Vinadio, offering simple pilgrim lodging for roughly €40–55 half board. Lower down, Vinadio and Bagni di Vinadio have hotels and B&Bs from €60–95, plus a thermal-spa hotel. Staffed CAI refuges in the Valle Stura charge around €25–35 per dormitory bunk; book ahead in August.

Do I need a permit to hike the Via Alpina Red R139?
No permit is required — the Via Alpina is a freely accessible public trail, and there are no entry fees for the surrounding protected areas. The only costs are accommodation, the optional summer shuttle bus and any donations at the sanctuary. EU visitors should carry an EHIC card, and mountain-rescue insurance is strongly recommended given costly helicopter evacuation in the region.

For full route data and the latest stage notes, consult the official Via Alpina stage page, and check current trail and weather conditions through the Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime authority before you set out.