Eaux Rousses - Refuge Vittorio Sella

From Valsavaranche to Val de Cogne in the middle of a herd of chamois.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek across the Gran Paradiso

Technical sheet

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Caution, this route is Very difficult

This route requires a long and/or intense effort, either because of the difference in altitude or the distance involved, or both. In certain situations, there is also the possibility of technical and aerial sections.

  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.01 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 10 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,675 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 769 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,283 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,657 m

Description of the walk

From the east today. Cross the road and on the other side take the col du Lauzon trail (S), an outstanding well-maintained large path.

Pleasantly weave through a forest leading to Vallone di Chaud (1) then Levionaz sheepfold (bergeries de la Levionaz).

Go past the chalets (lower (2), middle and higher (3)) then cross the torrent before starting the ultimate climb of the pass.

Remarkably well-placed turns allow you to exit at the highlight of the trek. Col du Lauzon (4) at 3296 m takes you into Val de Cogne.

Head down a windy hillside, then through Lauzon alpine pasture you'll reach refuge Vittorio Sella at 2584 m (6).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,684 m
  2. 1 : km 2.99 - alt. 2,196 m
  3. 2 : km 4.18 - alt. 2,286 m
  4. 3 : km 6.37 - alt. 2,513 m
  5. 4 : km 10 - alt. 3,275 m
  6. E : km 14.01 - alt. 2,583 m

Practical information

Nothing to report.
I've rated this trek as Very Difficult due to the length, height difference but most especially the altitude of the pass (practically 3300 m).

In the nearby area

Chamois and ibex will be your travelling companions today. We caught a glimpse of some chamois in the woods on the hike up but the big herd (roughly 100 of them) were in the lower Leviona alpine pasture. Then there were the ibex, twenty or so, chomping in the mid-day sun.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author. Do not copy them without permission.