Key to signs ALTA VIA TRAIL 1-2 SYMBOL

Transcription

1 Key to signs Col plaque: information plaques (size 20x30 cm.) coloured yellow, positioned on passes, on stone pyramids (h 130 cm.), indicating the name and altitude on the pass, together with times necessary to return down to the valleys. Alpage panels: wooden panels (size 35x 80 cm.) coloured brown, positioned in summer pastures, indicating the name and altitude of the summer pasture. Information boards: wooden boards (size 200x200 cm.) coloured brown, positioned along the valleys, providing a description of the Route, highlighting the point where the board is situated. NAM OF PLAC TO B RACHD TRKKING TIM ALTITUD OF PLAC TO B RACHD DIFFICULTY OF TH ROUT ALTA VIA TRAIL 1-2 SYMBOL Vertical signpost: consists of a vertical post (h 250 cm.) in aluminium, onto which are fixed indication signs (size 10x 50cm.) coloured yellow showing the name of the place to be reached, with the relative altitude and trekking time (calculated for a moderately fit trekker with rucksack). The sign also indicates the difficulty of the route, which can be : T tourist trekking route : mainly on footpaths or bridle ways. trekking excursion route without technical difficulty : mainly on mule tracks or footpaths leading up to refuges or connecting neighbouring valleys. The vertical signpost is to be found at the junctions of footpaths, at stopping places and where there are lifts or cable cars, from there onwards there are horizontal signs to indicate the route. Horizontal signpost: consists of a triangular painted sign (size 15cm) coloured yellow with a black edging, with the number 1 or 2. They are to be found at the junctions of footpaths and along the route, or on buildings where the route passes through villages. They often have direction pointers (size 17cm) which are also yellow. ATTNTION: the red and white symbols that are to be found on rocks or trees do not indicate the route but are used exclusively to mark the boundary of forestry areas! remember at the beginning of the season the presence of snow makes it difficult to cross high altitude passes : you are therefore advised to use the Alta Via Trails in the months of July, August and September; due to the high numbers of trekkers using the trail, it is advisable to book accommodation along the route in advance, informing hotels and refuges in the event of cancellation ; the regional law prevents camping in open areas below 2,500 m. or close to refuges ; before setting out along the routes you are advised to check weather conditions and the state of the route by telephoning the numbers indicated. In order to keep continually up-to-date about Alta Via Trails 1-2 visit the web site at If you wish to provide information, write to Photography Photographic archive of the Department of Tourism, Sport, Commerce, Transport and uropean Affairs Mountain and Infrastructural Management Department Forestry Department Protected Areas Unit Department for Plants, Animals, Hunting and Fishing Truc Fabrizio, Cerise Ornella, Troise Carmine, Schiapparelli Mariagrazia, Camisasca Davide, Zanolli Marino, Danni Francesco, Rettori nzo, Sergio nrico, Censi Giuliano Ronc Daniele, Coslovich Roberto. Mapping nvironment Department authorisation no of Graphic design Seghesio Grivon Mountain and Infrastructural Management Department (Bonino, Bredy, Fognier) Printing

2 1 Champorcher Dondena Refuge 2192 mt 2097 mt 1955 mt 1902 mt Departure point: fraz. Château di Champorcher (alt m) Destination: Dondena refuge (alt. 2192m) Outward trekking time: 3h 45 min 2h 35 min Outward altitude difference: m Return altitude difference: 770 m District: Champorcher Rif. Dondena 0h35min 0h25min 1h05min 0h45min 0h10min 1h35min 1444 mt 1422 mt T T Dondena Alp. Champlong Chardonney Champorcher from the centre of Château di Champorcher, follow the level asphalt road to Chardonney. To the left of the houses, cross the bridge over Torrent Ayasse leading to a wide stone road, built during the reign of King Victor mmanuel II for his hunting expeditions. After about a hundred metres, take the path to the right, known as La Scaletta. After a short while it begins to climb, at Orange lily first through grassy meadows and then through a woodland of conifers. It then returns to cross Torrent Ayasse to the right and up a series of steps (from which the path takes its name). It leaves the woods to pass through the meadows of Brenvey, where it joins another path at the summer pastures of Créton. It then climbs gradually, crossing a long grassy plain to reach the summer pastures of Champ Long, continuing on below the line of the unmetalled road until it reaches the houses of Dondena. From here it joins the unmetalled road which crosses the torrent to the left and climbs up through open meadows to reach Dondena Refuge. Rif. Dondena Dondena Alp. Champlong Alp. Créton Chardonney Champorcher Spruce 2

3 2 Dondena Refuge Sogno Péradza Refuge 2530 mt 2827 mt 2588 mt Departure point: Dondena refuge (alt. 2192m) Destination: Sogno di Berzé Péradza refuge (alt. 2530m) Outward trekking time: 3h 10 min 2h 40 min Outward altitude difference: m 297 m Return altitude difference: m 635 m Champorcher, 0h45min 0h40min 1h25min T mt Rif. Dondena from Dondena Refuge follow the unmetalled road which climbs gently across the long slope of the wide valley. At the point it begins a series of bends, leave the road to join the footpath which crosses open land to reach Misérin Refuge, inside the Mont Avic Regional Park. The refuge stands by the lake of the same name and close to the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi. From here the path skirts the dam of the lake and across the last meadows before entering a small rocky valley, which leads after a short while to Col Fenêtre di Champorcher, where an old military refuge stands. The path now enters the district of and area of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Beyond the pass, it descends a steep rocky slope to the Sogno di Berzé Péradza Refuge. Rif. Péradza Col Fenêtre Rif. Misérin Rif. Dondena Lake Miserin 4

4 3 Sogno Péradza Refuge 2530 mt Departure point: Sogno di Berzé Péradza refuge (alt m) Destination: (alt m) Outward trekking time: 3h 55 min 4h 50 min Outward altitude difference: 990 m Return altitude difference: m District: 1540 mt 0h30min 0h40min 1597 mt 1611 mt 1833 mt 0h25min 0h25min 0h25min 0h35min 2h35min 3h10min Champlong Lillaz Goilles Inf. T T from Sogno di Berzé Péradza Refuge follow the unmetalled road for a short distance and take the footpath which joins it at the point where the road begins to descend. Returning onto the unmetalled road, cross Torrent Péradza (to the left) and, after a few metres, join the path to the left which passes gently through meadows, crossing several streams and descending to a park warden s hut. From here, the path enters a conifer wood, dropping steeply down to a torrent. Crossing it to the right, over a wide wooden bridge, you arrive at the summer pastures of Goilles inferiore. The path now crosses various level grassy meadows before descending once more Ash branch Champlong into woodland. It then follows the line of a water pipe for a short distance before arriving at a group of houses. Here, turn left onto an asphalt road which takes you after a few hundred metres to the central square in Lillaz. From the square, walk along the pavement (along the asphalt road) as far as Champlong and turn left over a road bridge crossing the torrent and onto an unmetalled road which gradually descends though a conifer wood. When you reach a chapel, turn left onto the road (made of porphyry stone) and within a short while you are in the centre of the town of. Lillaz Goilles Inf. Rif. Péradza Stoat 6 7

5 4 Vittorio Sella Refuge 2584 mt Departure point: (alt m) Destination: Vittorio Sella refuge (alt m) Outward trekking time: 3h 30 min. 2h 30 min. Outward altitude difference: m Return altitude difference: 1044 m District: Rif. Sella 2h40min 1h50min 1667 mt Valnontey 0h50min 0h40min T 1540 mt from the centre of the town of, follow the asphalt road leading towards the village of Valnontey. Continue along the pavement until the houses finish, then leave the road, turning left onto an unmetalled road which enters a dense conifer wood, climbing upwards. Crossing a level area, you arrive at an underpass that makes it possible to cross the asphalt road. Close to a campsite, the route returns once more to the asphalt road as it arrives at the village of Valnontey. From here, crossing the torrent (to the Stone pine right) across a large wooden road bridge and climbing a short stretch of asphalt road, you reach the vast plain on which the Paradisia botanical garden is situated. Take the footpath on the left for Sella Refuge. After a short, level stretch it enters a conifer wood, gradually climbing up a series of wide turns. Crossing the torrent to the left, over a wooden bridge, the route passes through open meadows that climb, before descending once more to cross the torrent. Once again it climbs in long diagonal stretches until you reach the valley where the Vittorio Sella Refuge and a park warden s house stand. Rif. Sella Valnontey 8 9

6 5 Vittorio Sella Refuge aux-rousses Departure point: Vittorio Sella refuge (alt m) Destination: aux-rousses (alt m) Outward trekking time: 5h 00 min 6h 00 min Outward altitude difference: m 1641 m Return altitude difference: m 715 m, Valsavarenche 1658 mt 1h05min 1h30min 2289 mt 3299 mt 2h05min 3h00min 1h50min 1h30min 2584 mt from Vittorio Sella Refuge the path crosses flat meadows and then gradually climbs across a long diagonal stretch until it follows the line of a torrent. At the foot of a steep slope, the path turns to the left, crosses a grassy basin and begins to climb a wide rocky slope through a series of many bends. After crossing beneath a rocky cliff, the path arrives at Col Loson (the highest point on Alta Via Trail 2). The footpath now begins to descend, through a long series of bends, over rocky ground. It passes a plain, descends once again and crosses a small bridge over a torrent, continuing on to a valley basin below the remains of an old summer pasture. Having finally arrived at the open summer pastures of Livionaz Inferiore, bear to the left at the park warden s hut. Continuing on past a small votive chapel, the path passes over level ground until it enters a wood and once again begins to descend through a series of bends. This takes you to the meadows below. Having crossed the Torrent Savara to the left, you arrive at aux- Rousses. Ibex aux-rousses aux-rousses Livionaz Inf. Livionaz Inf. Col Loson Col Loson Rif. Sella Rif. Sella 10 11

7 6 aux-rousses Rhêmes-Notre-Dame Departure point: aux-rousses (alt m) Destination: Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (alt m) Outward trekking time: 5h 25 min 5h 40 min Outward altitude difference: m 1280 m Return altitude difference: m 1344 Valsavarenche, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame from the village of aux-rousses the route crosses (to the right) a grassy meadow and enters a conifer wood, where it begins to climb very gently along a long diagonal path. It then emerges into open pastures and, after a few more bends through the last larch trees, it passes over the grassy crag that leads to the plain of Orvieilles. Here stands the hunting lodge of King Victor mmanuel II, which is now used as park wardens premises. Continuing on, the path passes through open terrain to the summer pastures of Djouan, climbing through wide meadows and skirting several mountain lakes. The path begins to climb more steeply through a series of curves to the right at the base of a moderate size rock face. A last diagonal now takes you through large blocks of rock to Col ntrelor. From the pass, the path begins to descend into the valley of ntrelor, to the right, at first through various rocks and then in a scree-filled gully, taking you below a small rock-face. A little further down you arrive at the summer pastures of Plan de Feye. The path continues on down through open pastures until it reaches the plain on which stand the summer pastures of ntrelor. It passes a wooden cross to the right before dropping down into a conifer wood, following the line of a stream for a short while before continuing on down to the summer pastures of Pré du Bois. From here it is a short distance to the centre of the town of Rhêmes-Notre- Dame, on the opposite bank of the River Dora di Rhêmes. 12 Rhêmes-Notre-Dame A. Prè du Bois A. ntrelor 1722 mt A. Plan de Feye 1789 mt 0h05min 0h10min 2140 mt 0h35min 0h55min 0h20min 0h35min 2393 mt Col ntrelor 1h20min 3002 mt 2h00min 1h40min 2232 mt 0h10min 2165 mt 13 1h10min 0h50min 1658 mt A. ntrelor A. Plan de Feye Col ntrelor A. Djouan Orvieilles A. Djouan aux Rousses Orvieilles aux Rousses

8 7 Rhêmes-Notre-Dame Chalet de l'pée Refuge 2370 mt 2840 mt 2179 mt Departure point: Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (alt m) Destination: Chalet de l'pée refuge (alt m) Outward trekking time: 3h 35 min 2h 30 min Outward altitude difference: m 470 m Return altitude difference: m 1118 m Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Valgrisenche from the centre of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, follow the asphalt road heading down the valley for two hundred metres until you reach La Veforche. By a car park (on the left) take the footpath which leads up through the meadows. Crossing a bridge over the torrent, it once again begins to climb up a series of bends, up a grassy slope dominated by a high rock face, then passing through a small sparse conifer wood. Having arrived at a grassy crest, the route follows a long diagonal, climbing gradually upto the summer pastures of Torrent. From here it crosses to the left a large alluvial gully, skirting occasional areas of pastureland, until you reach the foot of a rock face. Heading to the right, the path climbs through a large series of bends, up the entire steep slope of rocks and pasture areas leading to Col Fenêtre. From the pass, the path descends to the right, first through rocks and then through grassy terrain, down to the plain below. The route at this point arrives at a torrent and follows it before descending the small agle grassy slope down to Chalet de l'pée Geum reptans 0h45min 1h45min 0h25min Rif. pée Col. Fenêtre 1734 mt 1722 mt 0h05min 0h05min A. Torrent La Veforche A. Torrent La Veforche Rhêmes-Notre-Dame T 14

9 8 Chalet de l'pée Refuge Planaval 1908 mt 1972 mt 2300 mt 2188 mt 2370 mt Planaval Departure point: Chalet de l'pée refuge (alt m) Destination: Planaval (alt m) Outward trekking time: 3h 15 min 4h 15 min Outward altitude difference: Return altitude difference: Arvier, Valgrisenche 1554 mt 1524 mt 1549 mt 1673 mt 1610 mt 0h15 0h15 0h20 0h20 0h10 0h15 0h10 0h10 0h30 0h45 0h05 0h10 1h00 1h35 0h20 0h15 0h25 0h30 T T T T Revers from Chalet de l'pée Refuge, the footpath heads to the right across an open grassy area before beginning to descend steeply to the summer pastures of Praz-Londzet. After a slight climb along a short stretch of unmetalled road, you reach the summer pastures of Catteun. From here there is a long stretch of path that undulates across slopes, through pastures and thin conifer woods. During the last part it gradually descends until it joins an unmetalled road leading to the summer pastures of Vercoreyaz Superiore. Below it, take the path through the meadows to the summer pastures of Vercoreyaz Inferiore, and then through a dense conifer wood to the village of Planté. From here, turn right along a short stretch of asphalt road to the village of La Frassy. Just after the village, take the path to the left through Pulsatilla montana another conifer wood, leading to the village of Prariond. Having passed through the village, take the level unmetalled road on the right. It passes first through meadows and then follows a torrent as far as the village of Revers. At this point return to the asphalt road that crosses the torrent and joins the main road. After about five hundred metres, there is a road to the left which takes you up a gradual slope to the village of Planaval. Planaval Revers Prariond La Frassy A. Vercoreyaz Inf. A. Vercoreyaz Sup. A. Catteun A. Praz Londzet Planté Prariond La Frassy A. Vercoreyaz Inf. A. Vercoreyaz Sup. A. Catteun A. Praz Londzet Chough 16 Rif. pée

10 9 Planaval Promoud Departure point: Planaval (alt m) Destination: Promoud (alt m) Outward trekking time: 5 h 30 min 4 h 45 min Outward altitude difference: m 816 m Return altitude difference: m 1284 m Arvier, Avise, La Salle 2022 mt 1h30min 2h00min 2838 mt 1h40min 1h10min 2338 mt 1h10min 0h50min 1950 mt 0h40min 0h30min 1694 mt 0h30min T 1554 mt Fox from the village of Planaval follow the asphalt road in the direction of La Clusaz. Having reached the village, continue to the left until you have passed a bend, where there is a footpath, (leading up from the road). This climbs through a sparse wood, first of deciduous trees and then conifers and emerging at the ruins of the summer pastures of Bénévy, and continuing on to the pastures near a water reservoir. Climbing further you reach a plain strewn with large rocks. The path continues on through green open pastures, then follows the line of a torrent and crosses it to the left, before climbing up a slope to another plain. Crossing back over the torrent to the right, the route continues over level ground to reach the remains of the summer pastures of Baraques Du Fond. Just after here the path turns to the right and climbs up to the Lac Du Fond. Having crossed the stream that leaves the lake, follow this stream for a short distance until you find a path to the right which climbs up steeply through the pastures. Having passed several grassy crags the route follows a long diagonal across the slopes towards the right until it arrives at the last rocky ascent up to Col de la Crosatie. The route now begins a steep descent, initially down rocky steps and then through boulders until it reaches a small scree-filled valley. Climbing down through this valley, the route cuts a diagonal path towards the right and then descends into the pastures below. From here it crosses a sparse conifer wood and follows the line of a torrent until it reaches the summer pastures of Promoud (where a staging post is in the process of being built). 18 Branch of Larch Promoud (in previsione) Col de la Crosatie Baracques du Fond Promoud (in previsione) La Clusaz Col de la Crosatie Baracques du Fond Planaval A. Bénévy La Clusaz Planaval

11 10 Promoud La Thuile 2160 mt 2500 mt 2860 mt 2022 mt Departure point: Promoud (alt m) Destination: La Thuile ( alt m) Outward trekking time: 5h 40 min 6h 45 min Outward altitude difference: m 1425 m Return altitude difference: m 838 m La Salle, La Thuile from the summer pastures of Promoud the path crosses the pastures behind the village and enters the valley to the right, gaining altitude. Having passed through a sparse conifer woods, the path enters rocky pasturelands until it reaches a rocky area. Here the route climbs all the way up, first through moderate size boulders and then, higher up, through large rocks. It continues on up through grassy slopes and through a series of bends up to the col at Passo Alto. From Marmot here it begins a descent to the right over grassy slopes and rocks to a valley which you follow to the right. Having passed various rocky crags you reach a long marshy plain. Cross this to the right until you arrive at the pastures below the Alberto Deffeyes Refuge, at which you arrive after a short while. From the refuge, the route follows a short stretch of plain and then descends steeply to a large plain and the summer pastures of Glacier, close to several lakes. Having crossed a wooden footbridge, the path descends to the right and after a short ascent, once again drops steeply downwards. The route now enters conifer woods, passing three spectacular waterfalls, before finally reaching the village of La Joux. From here, climb up along the asphalt road for a short distance and enter a woodland area, where there is a path (on the left). This path crosses the road at various points as far as a road bridge. Before the bridge, take the unmetalled road which follows the torrent to the left and crosses a bridge, returning to the asphalt road. Follow the road as far as the town of La Thuile. La Thuile La Joux 1435 mt La Thuile 0h40min 0h45min T mt A. Glacier 1h30min 2h00min 0h30min Rif. Deffeyes 1h30min 2h00min 1h30min La Joux A. Glacier Rif. Deffeyes Passo Alto Promoud (in previsione) Passo Alto Promoud (in previsione) 20 Deffeyes Refuge

12 11 La Thuile lisabetta Soldini Refuge Departure point: La Thuile ( alt m) Destination: lisabetta Soldini refuge ( alt m) Outward trekking time: 5h 15 min 3h 55 min Outward altitude difference: m 465 m Return altitude difference: m 1198 m La Thuile, Courmayeur 2168 mt Rif. lisabetta 0h50min 0h45min 2420 mt 0h45min 2170 mt 1h10min 0h30min 2592 mt Col des Chavannes T- A. Chavanne Sup. A. Chavanne Inf mt 1866 mt 1606 mt 1435 mt 0h10min 1h05min 0h10min 0h30min 0h10min 0h50min 0h10min 0h30min 0h20min A. Berrio Blanc Inf. A. Porassey 1907 mt A. Monquet T T T T T Pont Serrand La Thuile from the centre of La Thuile head down along the pavement of the road beside the River Dora Verney until you reach a bridge that crosses it to the left. Just by an old hotel there is a footpath that cuts across the bends in the main asphalt 22 road, leading to the village of Pont- Serrand. Just before reaching the village, take the asphalt road to the right. This climbs steeply and, after several bends, arrives at the summer pastures of Monquet and Porassey. The road now becomes unmetalled and begins to climb gradually across the slope of the valley until it reaches the summer pastures of Berrio Blanc Inferiore and then Chavanne Inferiore. Here the slope becomes steeper and, after several bends, the road arrives at the summer pastures of Chavanne Superiore, proceeding gently onwards until it reaches the footpath to Col Des Chavannes. From here the route makes a sharp descent through grassy and rocky slopes, until it arrives at a plain through which a torrent flows. Follow the torrent to the right for about a kilometre, then cross it over a wooden bridge to the left. lisabetta Refuge Rif. lisabetta Col des Chavannes When you reach a number of old stone buildings, take the unmetalled road which, after a short distance, brings you the lisabetta Soldini Refuge. A. Chavanne Sup. A. Chavanne Inf. A. Berrio Blanc Inf. A. Porassey A. Monquet Pont Serrand La Thuile

13 12 lisabetta Soldini Refuge Courmayeur 2168 mt 2070 mt 2302 mt 1956 mt 1701 mt Departure point: lisabetta Soldini refuge (alt m) Destination: Courmayeur (alt m) Outward trekking time: 4h 30 min 4h 40 min Outward altitude difference: 1190 m m Return altitude difference: 245 m m District: Courmayeur from the lisabetta Soldini Refuge take the unmetalled road that drops down, intersected at various points by a footpath, to the plain of Lac Combal. Having crossed the entire plain, just before a road bridge there is a footpath to the right. This rises up through bushes to the meadows above where there are the remains of the summer pastures of Arp Vieille Inferiore. Continue on up, passing the summer pastures of Arp Vieille Superiore, as far as a rocky crest. Here the path descends slightly and continues on through meadows and beside two mountain lakes until it arrives at several ski slopes. It finally arrives at Maison Vieille Refuge. From here, take the unmetalled road to the right. After a few minutes there is a path on the left. This takes you down through ski slopes to Plan Checrouit, continuing on to the departure point for the cable car. Behind this point the path descends through a series of turns to the ski slope below. Continue down the slope for a short while and then follow the unmetalled road which enters the wood; close to the first bend Rhododendron turn left onto a descending path which leads to the village of Dolonne (the last stretch is on asphalt road). Go through the village, passing the alleyways in the centre, and then take the asphalt road which arrives within a few minutes at Courmayeur. Rif. lisabetta Arp Vieille Inf. Arp Vieille Sup. 1h10min 1h10min 0h35min 0h20min 1h10min 1h20min 0h30min 0h35min Rif. Maison Vieille 0h50min 1210 mt 1223 mt T T Rif. lisabetta Arp Vieille Inf. Arp Vieille Sup. Rif. Maison Vieille Plan Checrouit Dolonne Courmayeur Plan Checrouit Dolonne Courmayeur 24