The Victor Emmanuel Refuge at the foot of Gran Paradiso

A visit to the Victor Emmanuel Refuge, which, like its neighbour the Chabod Refuge, can be considered the base camp for the summit of Gran Paradiso, located in the province of Aosta in northern Italy. A steep but short climb that ends between the refuge and Lake Moncorvé.

Details

2509844
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 753 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 750 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,720 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,994 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Introduction: Park in the large car park at the end of the SS23 in the hamlet of Pont.
Walk to the Tetras Lyre lodge. This lodge will be the starting point for the circular hikes in the Valsavarenche valley. To reach the lodge, follow the Savara Torrent along either the right or left bank.

(S/E) From the lodge, immediately turn left onto the excellent, wide path leading into the woods. You will soon begin a series of remarkable hairpin bends to reach the edge of the woods at a place called l’Alpe Chanté.

(1) Continue along this single path, where the switchbacks now become less pronounced, to reach the old junction with the path leading to the Refuge Chabod.

(2) Keep to the right along a long cross-country stretch to reach another junction which also leads to the Refuge Chabod

(3) Continue along a few hairpin bends, then on a straighter path to reach the Victor Emmanuel Refuge and Lake Moncorvé.

(4) Follow the same route as on the way there to reach the Tetras Lyre lodge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,995 m - Tetras Lyre lodge
  2. 1 : km 1.59 - alt. 2,335 m - Alpe Chanté
  3. 2 : km 1.76 - alt. 2,379 m - Former junction for the Chabod Refuge
  4. 3 : km 2.4 - alt. 2,518 m - Another junction: Chabod Refuge
  5. 4 : km 3.31 - alt. 2,720 m - Victor Emmanuel Refuge
  6. S/E : km 6.62 - alt. 1,995 m - Tetras Lyre lodge

Notes

Total duration of the hike, including breaks: 6 hours
Water point and shelter at the Victor Emmanuel refuge.
(2 and 3) These are the old junctions leading to the Chabod Refuge; the one currently in use is a few metres before the Victor Emmanuel Refuge and is indicated by a sign.

Worth a visit

(4) Gran Paradiso is very close by, though 1,300 metres higher.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Feurgard g
Feurgard g

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A popular route but with beautiful scenery

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Pascale73
Pascale73

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely hike, very well signposted, and easy to walk up and down thanks to the paved path.
A lovely mountain hut at the end of the route, but… no view of Gran Paradiso.

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Laurarandonnee
Laurarandonnee

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views of the peaks, but the lake was a bit of a let-down on arrival.

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jc-le-savoyard
jc-le-savoyard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

a fantastic hike in stunning surroundings

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PenséeEperonnée
PenséeEperonnée

We haven’t done this hike yet... We’re getting ready for our trip to the Aosta Valley!

Thank you for all the ideas and information about the hikes featured on your website.

We’re dreaming of and looking forward to exploring Gran Paradiso

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