Alta vía

Councillor for Tourism, Sport, Councillor for Agriculture, Commerce and Transport and Natural Resources

"With particular thanks to the forestry experts and workers who, through theirhard work, have made these routes possible"

1

how to use this bookletThe description of each stage contains, on the top left, the technical information which sets out thealtitude difference on the outward and return trek (the + indicates the metres of ascent and the -indicates the metres of descent). The trekking times shown relate to the times for moderately fittrekkers with a rucksack. The districts refer to the local authority districts through which each partof the route passes. Beneath the technical information is the route description. The route direction described goes fromGressoney St.Jean to Courmayeur on Alta Via Trail 1 and from Champorcher to Courmayeur on AltaVia Trail 2. The direction indications (right, left) provide indications for those trekking in the outwarddirection.The map is on a scale of 1: 50,000 (1 cm on the map = 500 m.) The route goes fromright to left (except for stage 12 of Alta Via Trail 2).Above the map is the altitude profile of the route. This also goes from right to left (or in any eventfollowing the direction indicated on the map) and symbols show the places through which the routepasses, with their name and altitude. There are also indications of the trekking times, bothoutwards and back, and the difficulty of the various stretches.On the top right is a small icon of Aosta Valley showing, over the whole route, the stage described.

Aosta Valley Autonomous Region - Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta

Department of Tourism, Sport, Commerce and Transport

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Alte Vie 1-2Among Aosta Valley's infinity of natural riches are some high altitude trekking routes of

exceptional beauty, where it is possible to explore mountain traditions, taste typical local produceand admire the extraordinary architecture of small mountain villages - all of this by walking alongancient footpaths, with a rucksack on your back, in the silence of the great mountains, amongwild animals and carpets of flowers, staying in comfortable mountain refuges. This is what AltaVia Trails 1-2 have to offer. They provide an exciting adventure that enables the trekker to learnabout the various aspects of the Alpine area - from the hunting trails taken by King VictorEmmanuel II through valley meadows, to deciduous and evergreen woods which become sparseras you climb, to be replaced by grazing land and, further up, by the rocks and crest of a moraine,until you reach a mountain pass. Here the trail descends once again towards another valley, butperhaps you might look up to see a golden eagle in serene flight. Sights such as these can easilyprovoke a powerful introspection among those of us who are constricted by the anxieties andhectic rhythm of modern society.

High Trails 1-2 are presented in a new form, compared with the original routes. The glaciercrossings have been eliminated, stretches involving mountaineering difficulties or along asphaltroads have been removed, the number of stages has been increased in order to reduce trekkingtimes, new paths have been chosen at higher altitude, a special sign-posting has been placedalong the entire route, … in short, the route has been designed to include even moremagnificent areas, all of which is suitable for trekkers.

In addition, a link route is being created between Alta Via Trails 1-2, from Gressoney-Saint-Jean to Champorcher, through some of the region's wildest and most inaccessible areas, thusenabling real trekkers to make the complete tour of the Aosta Valley on foot, returning to theoriginal point of departure.

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Rif. Vieux Crest

Cunéaz

Col Pinter

A. Loasche

A. Ondermontel

Rif. Alpenzu

Tschemenoal

Gressoney-St-Jean

A l t a V i a n

Tunnel duGrand-St-Bernard

Aosta

Tunnel du Mont-Blanc

2

A l t a V i a n

1stage

Gressoney-Saint-JeanVieux Crest Refuge

Departure point: Gressoney-Saint-Jean (alt. 1405 m)Destination: Vieux Crest Refuge (alt. 1935m)Outward trekking time: 5h 15 minReturn trekking time: 5h 00 minOutward altitude difference: + 1372 m – 842 mReturn altitude difference: + 842 m – 1372 mDistricts: Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Ayas

Route description:from the main car park at Gressoney-Saint-Jean,cross Torrent Lys to the right, over a wooden roadbridge, and head up along the unmetalled roadwhich follows the torrent, passing golf courses, tothe village of Tschemenoal.Having crossed the torrent to the left, overanother road bridge, continue up along an asphaltroad for about three hundred metres until youreach the path on the left. From here the routebegins to climb, gently at first and then moresteeply, through a conifer wood. Thus you reachthe typical alpine village of Grossalbezo andAlpenzu Grande Refuge. The trail now takes a longdiagonal across the meadows and to reach thesummer pastures of Ondermontel. Having passedthrough a sparsely planted conifer wood andclimbed up through the meadows above it, youreach the summer pasture of Loasche. From

here, the routecontinues oversteep slopes toCol Pinter.The path descendsalong a smallbouldered valleyand then crosses agrassy plain as far

as a rocky formation. Beyond this, after numeroustwists, it reaches the meadows below and on toCunéaz. From here the route, after a short time,descends to Crest and Vieux Crest Refuge.

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A. Nannaz sup. A. Nannaz inf.

A.Croues

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Rif. FerraroRif. Guide Frachey

Charcherioz

A.Sousun

Rif. Vieux Crest

A l t a V i a n

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A l t a V i a n

2stage

Vieux Crest RefugeGrand Tournalin Refuge

Departure point: Vieux Crest Refuge (alt. 1935 m)Destination: Grand Tournalin Refuge (alt. 2535 m)Outward trekking time: 4h 15 minReturn trekking time: 3h 55 minOutward altitude difference: + 991 m – 391 mReturn altitude difference: – 991 m + 391 mDistrict: Ayas

Route description:from Vieux Crest Refuge, take first the track andthen follow the unmetalled road leading to therural hamlet of Sousun. Passing through it, theroute heads out over level ground to

Charcherioz.Continuing on fromhere for a short while,on the unmetalled roadand then along thetrack, the route climbsup to the G. B. Ferraroand Guide di Fracheyrefuges. The path now

descends towards the valley, through thesummer pasture of Raccard to the village ofSaint-Jacques. Crossing the road bridge overTorrent Evançon, the route turns right along thepath which climbs up through meadows andsparse woods. Just after the summer pasturesof Croues you reach an unmetalled road whichthe path crosses at various points, until itreaches the summer pasture of Nannaz inferioreand then Nannazsuperiore. The route nowcontinues entirely onunmetalled road, whichclimbs up as far asGrand Tournalin Refuge.


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A. Promindoz

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A l t a V i a n

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3stage

Grand TournalinRefuge - Crétaz

Departure point: Grand Tournalin Refuge (alt. 2535 m)Destination: Crétaz (alt. 1520 m)Outward trekking time: 3h 05 minReturn trekking time: 4h 40 minOutward altitude difference: + 238 m – 1253 m Return altitude difference: + 1253 m – 238 m Districts: Ayas, Chamois, Valtournenche

Route description:from Grand Tournalin Refuge descend for a shortwhile on the unmetalled road and then take thepath to the right. Having made a long diagonalcrossing through meadows, you reach a rockycliff. Having passed this, the trail continues to

climb over grassy androcky humps until itreaches Col di Nannaz.From here it descendsinto a grassy valley justbelow the pass, beforeclimbing upwards a littleway to Col des Fontaineson a rocky ridge. Theroute now begins itsdescent, among wide

open meadows, reaching the summerpasture of Champ-Sec and, further down, thedistrict of Cheney. It continues its descent,entering a conifer wood and passing besidethe summer pastures of Promindoz, situatedon a grassypanoramic plain,before completingthe descent at thevillage of Crétaz.

[email protected]

Chamois

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Rif. Barmasse

A. FalegnonValmartin

Crétaz

A l t a V i a n

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A l t a V i a n

4stage

CrétazBarmasse Refuge

Departure point: Crétaz (alt. 1520 m)Destination: Barmasse Refuge (alt. 2157 m)Outward trekking time: 2h 35 minReturn trekking time: 1h 50 minOutward altitude difference: + 665 m – 28 m Return altitude difference: – 665 m + 28 mDistrict: Valtournenche

Route description:from the village square of Crétaz cross theasphalt road and take the path that descends tojoin the track. Having crossed the Torrent

Marmore it rises back up tothe village of Valmartin. Here,

take the path throughthe meadowswhich climbssteeply, passingthrough a wood.After a long

diagonal stretch, it leadsto several hydro-electrical

constructions. The trail thenreaches the summer pasturesof Falegnon and continues

across a slope into a valley untilit reaches the

artificial dam atTsignanaz. At thispoint, the route

climbs to the right,crossing over the dam itself toreach Barmasse Refuge


Marmot

Downy oak

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5stage

Barmasse Refuge Reboulaz Refuge hut

Departure point: Barmasse Refuge (alt. 2157 m)Destination: Reboulaz refuge hut (alt. 2585 m)Outward trekking time: 3h 40 minReturn trekking time: 3h 05 minOutward altitude difference: + 674 m – 246 mReturn altitude difference: – 674 m + 246 m Districts: Valtournenche, Torgnon, Nus

Route description:from Barmasse Refuge continue on theunmetalled road for a short while and takethe path to the left which descends to thesummer pastures of Cortina Superiore. The

route thenreturns to theunmetalled roadwhich,descendingslightly, enters aconifer woodbefore beginninga steep climb.

Return to the path on the right, whichascends to the summer pastures ofFornace and then to Col Fenêtre d’Ersa.After a slight drop in height, it joins theunmetalled road which takes you to thesummer pastures of Vareton. From thispoint onwards the route is entirely onfootpath. It rises up to the summerpastures of Gran Raye, to reach Tsanrefuge hut and from here to ColFenêtre de Tsan.From the pass, the route descends,through various bends, down a steepgrassy slope. Just above various ruins, itbegins a long diagonal crossing to theright until it reaches the plain wherethe Reboulaz refuge hut stands, bythe magnificent Leseney Lake.

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Biv. Reboulaz Fenêtre de Tsan

Biv. TsanA. Gran Raye

A. Vareton

Fenêtre d’Ersa

A. Fornace

A. Cortina Sup

Rif. Barmasse

Route description:from Reboulaz refuge hut the pathcrosses the torrent that flows from theLeseney lake and begins to climb,passing beside various ruins. After a

steep slope ofrocks and debrisit reaches ColTerray. From thecol, the routedrops down afairly steep slopethrough a seriesof bends to a

grassy valley. After this, it continues onfor a long stretch at mid-slope withvarious rises and falls until it reaches arocky-grassy outcrop. After a short steepdescent, the route bears tothe right, passing underrocky bastions and acrossseveral gullies until itreaches a grassy plain.Having crossed thetorrent towards theleft, it crosses asmall promontory toarrive at the OratorioCuney Refuge, situatedby an oratory church.

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Biv. Reboulaz

A l t a V i a n

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6stage

Reboulaz Refuge hut Oratorio Cuney Refuge

Departure point: Reboulaz refuge hut (alt. 2585 m)Destination: Oratorio Cuney Refuge (alt. 2652 m)Outward trekking time: 2h 05 minReturn trekking time: 1h 40 minOutward altitude difference: + 190 m – 123 mReturn altitude difference: + 123 m – 190 mDistrict: Nus


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Arp Vieille

Arp Damon

Col de Vessonaz

Biv. Rosaire Clermont

Col Chaleby

Rif. Cuney

A l t a V i a n

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A l t a V i a n

7stage

Oratorio Cuney Refuge Closé

Departure point: Oratorio Cuney Refuge (alt. 2652 m)Destination: Closé (alt. 1456 m)Outward trekking time: 5h 10 minReturn trekking time: 6h 15 minOutward altitude difference: + 141 m – 1337 mReturn altitude difference: +1337 m – 141 mDistricts: Nus, Quart, Oyace

Route description:from Oratorio Cuney Refuge the route descendsfor a short distance across several ridges,then heads to the right, skirting the base of a

rocky area before risingslightly to a grassy plain.After a short climb to theright it reaches ColChaleby. From here, thepath descends the steepslope to a basin, wherethere are the remains of amountain chalet, and thenclimbs sharply, crossing arocky stretch and a seriesof gullies at mid-slope to

reach Rosaire Clermont refuge hut. Climbing upthe steep rocky slope once again, you reach Colde Vessonaz. The descent, at first, passessteeply through rock debris, after which, keepingto the right under a modest rocky buttress, youreach the summer pastures of Arp Damon. Theroute continues on to the right into a small rockyvalley, at the end of which there is an almost levelstretch through a sparse conifer wood, leading tothe vast grassy plain of the summer pastures ofArp Vieille. From here the path crosses the plain,enters a dense wood and descends, down a series ofnumerous bends, until it reaches a clearing. Here,bearing to the right, you reach the Ponte della Betenda,the bridge crossing the Torrent Buthier. Continuingonwards, the path climbs up out of the wood and, after afew bends, reaches the meadows of the village of Closé.

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�Rey

Ollomont

BerrioSuperiore

Col Brison

Brison Suchéaz

A. EcleveyClosé(in previsione)

A l t a V i a n

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A l t a V i a n

8stage

CloséRey

Departure point: Closé (alt. 1456 m)Destination: Rey (alt. 1393 m)Outward trekking time: 4h 50 minReturn trekking time: 4h 55 minOutward altitude difference: + 1032 m – 1095 mReturn altitude difference: + 1095 m – 1032 mDistricts: Oyace, Valpelline, Ollomont

Route description:from the village of Closé, thepath climbs up throughmeadows, cutting acrossthe unmetalled road.Reaching the summerpastures of Eclevey, itenters a conifer woodwhere it begins torise rapidly, arrivingat the summerpastures of Suchéaz. Continuing on upthrough woodland it arrives at the summerpastures of Brison. After a long, mid-slopediagonal stretch, the path rises up a tightseries of curves of the last steep slopeleading to Col Brison. From here, there is afairly long initial descent through meadowsand rocky outcrops, until you reach a veryscenic, flat area. From here, a long mid-slopediagonal begins, leading to the summer

pastures of BerrioSuperiore. At this point,take the unmetalledroad which descendsgradually, first throughmeadows and thenwoodland, until itreaches Ollomont. Aftera few more minutesalong the asphalt road,you reach the village ofRey.

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Rif. Letey Champillon

Tsa de Champillon

Pessinoille

ChampillonPrumayes

Rey

A l t a V i a n


Aosta


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9stage

ReyChampillon Refuge

Departure point: Rey (alt. 1393 m)Destination: Letey Champillon Refuge (alt.2375 m) Outward trekking time: 2h 40 minReturn trekking time: 1h 45 minOutward altitude difference: + 982 m Return altitude difference: – 982 mDistricts: Ollomont, Doues

Route description:just above the village of Rey, take the footpathwhich climbs up through a dense conifer wood,passing the old summer pastures of Prumayes,and into meadows. After a short stretch of

unmetalled road,you reach thesummer pasturesof Champillon(nearby you canadmire the smallchurch of Notre-Dame-des->Neiges, builtabove a rockygully). Continue onup

the unmetalledroad until youreach, after ashort while, thesummerpastures ofPessinoille. Fromhere, the path passes on

up through steep greenmeadows to the summer

pastures of Tsa deChampillon and, a

little further up,Letey Champillon

Refuge.

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White beam

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Prailles Sup.Eternod Sup.

Pointier Inf.

Pointier Sup.

Crou de Bleintse

Col Champillon

Rif. LeteyChampillon

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10stage

Champillon RefugeSaint-Rhémy

Departure point: Letey Champillon Refuge (alt. 2375 m) Destination: Saint-Rhémy (alt. 1600 m)Outward trekking time: 4h 50 minReturn trekking time: 5h 30 minOutward altitude difference: + 353 m – 1128 m Return altitude difference: + 1128 m – 353 mDistricts: Doues, Étroubles, Saint-Oyen, Saint-Rhémy

Route description:from Letey Champillon Refuge, the pathtackles a steep grassy spur with a series ofbends, arriving at Col Champillon. The first

stretch of descent is verysteep as far as the ruinsof the summer pasturesof Crou de Bleintse. Afterthis point, the routebecomes more gentle andbegins a long mid-slopediagonal crossing towardsthe right, to the summer

pastures of Pointier Superiore. Afterdescending the last barren grassy slopes, youthen reach the summer pastures of PointierInferiore. Here you follow a stretch ofunmetalled road towards the left and thenreturn to the footpath. Having crossed a smallconifer wood, the path crosses the TorrentMenouve over a wooden bridge and returns tothe unmetalled road. After a short climb, take thepath to the right leading to the village of PraillesSuperiore. Just above the houses the path entersmeadows, following a long level route towards thevillage of Eternod Superiore, which you reachafter a short stretch of asphalt road. From thevillage, a wide footpath climbs up to join anunmetalled road in woodland. Here, bear left andfollow it for a distance until you arrive at a bendin the asphalt road, where you head down to thevillage of Saint-Rhémy.


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Rif. Lac(in previsione)

Tsa de Merdeux

Moindaz

A. Côtes

Merdeux Inf.Devies

MottesCouchepache

Laval

St-Rhémy

A l t a V i a n


Aosta


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A l t a V i a n

11stage

Saint-RhémyLac Refuge

Departure point: Saint-Rhémy (alt. 1600 m)Destination: Lac Refuge (alt. 2540 m)Outward trekking time: 3h 45 minReturn trekking time: 2h 55 minOutward altitude difference: + 960 m – 20 m Return altitude difference: – 960 m + 20 mDistrict: Saint-Rhémy

Route description:from the village of Saint-Rhémy crossthe road bridge over the Torrent GrandSaint-Bernard. About 100 m along the

unmetalledroad, take thewide footpath tothe right whichclimbs up to thevillage of Laval.Then follow theasphalt roadthrough the

villages of Couchepache and Mottesand, after a downward stretch, take theunmetalled road which passes under themotorway viaduct and continues on levelground as far as the summer pastures ofDevies. A little further on, take thefootpath to the right, alongside a dry-stonewall, then climb up across meadows to thesummer pastures of Merdeux Inferiore.From here there is a short stretch ofunmetalled road as far as the summerpastures of Côtes, before the route takes amid-slope path across to the summer pasturesof Moindaz. It then climbs once again, throughwide green meadows, to the summer pastures ofTsa de Merdeux. After crossing several streamsand climbing a steep grass spur, you arrive at theplain of Lake Merdeux (where the construction ofa refuge is proposed).

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Rif. BonattiA. Malatrà Inf.

A. Malatrà Sup.

A. Giué Sup.

Col Malatrà Rif. Lac(in previsione)

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Aosta


24

A l t a V i a n

12stage

Lac Refuge Walter Bonatti Refuge

Departure point: Lac Refuge (alt. 2540 m)Destination: Walter Bonatti Refuge (alt. 2025 m)Outward trekking time: 2h 55 minReturn trekking time: 3h 05 minOutward altitude difference: + 385 m – 900 mReturn altitude difference: + 900 m – 385 mDistricts: Saint Rhémy, Courmayeur

Route description:from the plain of Lake Merdeux (where theconstruction of a refuge is proposed) thepath rises through green meadows until itreaches a basin of rocky detritus below apicturesque jagged rocky ridge. Having crossed

the basin, a longdiagonal stretch ofpath continues on tothe left and, after atight series of turns,passes the last steepstretch of rocky debrisleading up to ColMalatrà. The mid-slopedescent through rockyboulders takes you

eventually to several grassy ridges that lead down to avast grassy plain, through which a torrent runs.Following the stream to the right, the route leadsacross the whole plain to reach the summerpastures of Giué Superiore. Having crossedthe torrent to the left over asmall wooden bridge, youarrive after a fewmetres of descent atthe summer pasturesof MalatràSuperiore. Fromhere, after ashort distance,the route descends tothe summer pasturesof Malatrà Inferiore and Walter BonattiRefuge.


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A l t a V i a n


Aosta


26

A l t a V i a n

13stage

Walter Bonatti Refuge Courmayeur

Departure point: Walter Bonatti Refuge (alt. 2025 m)Destination: Courmayeur (alt. 1223 m)Outward trekking time: 3h 50 minReturn trekking time: 4h 30 minOutward altitude difference: – 1036 m + 234 mReturn altitude difference: + 1036 m – 234 mDistrict: Courmayeur

Route description:from Walter Bonatti Refuge the routedescends for a short way through meadows,then bears to the left and leads to the summer

pastures of Sécheron.A mid-slope pathclimbs slightly towardsthe summer pasturesof Arminaz Inferiore,which you reach after ashort descent. Havingcrossed the torrentover a wooden bridge,

the path continues to the right, on level groundbetween shrubs and rhododendrons, to thesummer pastures of Lèche. Then continue on,through green meadows, passing just above thesummer pastures of Leuchey Superiore. Fromhere, entering a conifer wood, there is aslight rise up to a grassy ridge, beyondwhich is the Giorgio Bertone Refuge. Fromthe refuge, the path drops steeply, enteringa dense conifer wood and after a series ofnumerous bends, arrives at an unmetalledroad. From here, the route follows alternatestretches of the road and the footpath thatintersects it. Having crossed a road bridge overthe Torrent Tsapy, the continues entirely on theroad. This descends, becomes asphalt, andcrosses the village of Villair Superiore. Then, ata major crossroads, turn left and enter thetown of Courmayeur, just by the church.

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