Planaval - Rifugio chalet de l'Epée

de fr

A Trek through Valgrisenche with a view over the large village dam.

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

Details

n°2917
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 969 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 171 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,382 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,514 m
  • ⚐ Country: Italy
  • ⚐
    Area: Alps
  • ⚐ District: Arvier 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 45.673007° / E 7.079321°
  • ⚑
    End: N 45.588924° / E 7.060007°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 3532ET, 3532ETR
  • Hour-by-hour weather
    Discover Visorando Premium
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Refuge de l'Epée

Description of the walk

Head south today, first on a road then on a trail on the right bank of the torrent (S).

Walk along the bank for roughly 2 km before reaching Valgrisenche village. Head towards the football field (1) at the bottom of the village and take a left (sign) route n°2.

Rapidly head up a trail shifting between road and path, finally sticking to the path leading to mountain sheepfolds (Benevy (2) and Prariond).

Remain under Seia Mountain, go through Alpage de Plaz Londzet (3).

Keep going in fairly constant south west direction on a trail reaching l'Alpage de la Fée (5) and its shelter.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 1,565 m - Planaval hotel
  2. 1 : km 5.83 - alt. 1,665 m - Valgrisenche Stadium
  3. 2 : km 8.68 - alt. 2,139 m - Bénevy mountain pasture
  4. 3 : km 9.37 - alt. 2,174 m - Plaz Londzet mountain pasture
  5. E : km 11.55 - alt. 2,363 m - Refuge de l'Epée

Notes

Refuge de l'Epée: this shelter is used by numerous tourists during the summer season in particular.

Worth a visit

Opposite the shelter you can catch a glimpse of the stunning Pointe du Ruitor and its access shelter.
In front you, to the west, la Grande Sassiére marking the border and revealing nearby Val d'Isère.

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
JM G
JM G

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very seldom used trail, as it is difficult. Total ascent: 1375 m.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Deffeyes Shelter - Planaval

Visorando member
Refuge Deffeyes - Planaval
↔13.32 km ↗+1,177 m ↘-2,107 m ◔7h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
A long and difficult stage due to the ascension of 2 passes.

Walking La Joux - Deffeyes Shelter

Visorando member
La Joux - Refuge Deffeyes
↔5.34 km ↗+920 m ↘-42 m ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
A trek across the Gran Paradiso passing through the 5 surrounding valleys.

Walking Trek across the Gran Paradiso

Visorando member
Traversée du Grand Paradis
↔77.06 km ↗+6,798 m ↘-6,728 m ◔7 days ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
It may not be true paradise but it certainly is heavenly. An exceptional group trek carried out in July 2011 which allows you to explore the Val D'aoste valleys ending with a balcony trail to Gran Paradiso summit.

Walking Refuge de l'Epée - Bruil

Visorando member
Refuge de l'Epée - Bruil
↔6.16 km ↗+494 m ↘-1,147 m ◔3h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Valgrisenche (Aosta Valley)
Fourth stage between Valgisenche and Val de Rheme.

Walking Ruitor Waterfall

Visorando member
Cascade Ruitor
↔8.38 km ↗+536 m ↘-534 m ◔3h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
Between the coolness of the streams and panoramic views, this hike is punctuated by footbridges and lookout points. All of this allows you to get up close to the power of the water and admire the magnificent Alpine panoramas.

Walking Saint-Grat Lake and Refuge Adami

Visorando member
Lac de Saint-Grat et Refuge Adami
↔11.40 km ↗+803 m ↘-803 m ◔5h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Valgrisenche (Aosta Valley)
Nestled at the foot of Tête du Ruitor and its glaciers, within a beautiful setting, Saint-Grat Lake is the highlight of any hike in its own right. Through the final twists and turns before the lake, the slope is smooth and the route straightforward. The next climb much steeper, leading to Refuge Adami gives you a stunning view point.

Walking Lac du Vuert

Visorando member
Lac du Vuert (Lago di Vuert)
↔13.71 km ↗+863 m ↘-858 m ◔6h 25 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Valgrisenche (Aosta Valley)
A two part hike. First up the Doire de Valgrisenche, a steady slope offering a leafy, green landscape. From the refuge, the landscape becomes essentially mineral and the slope steeper all the way to Vuert's small perched lake. Stunning high mountain surroundings.

Walking Punta della Croce and Lago d'Arpy

Visorando member
Punta della Croce et Lago d'Arpy
↔12.44 km ↗+532 m ↘-535 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Morgex (Aosta Valley)
The Pointe de la Croix is clearly visible to the east of La Thuile. This circular hike offers sweeping views of the Mont Blanc massif and the 4,000-metre peaks on the Italian-Swiss border, in particular the easily recognisable Cervino. The return route takes you via the popular Lac d'Arpy.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.