Trek around Monte Viso in 5 days, stage 3

High mountain stage.
Progress within a mineral setting.
A hike up to the highest pass of the trek.
Stunning view over the Pô water sources from "Sentier du Postier."

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Trek around Monte Viso in 5 days

Technical sheet

18065
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:

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: 13.66 km
  • ◔
    Duration according to author: 6 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 1,349 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 1,185 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,943 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,298 m

Photos

Description of the walk

(S) Leaving "Refuge du Viso", take the trail you arrived on the day before over about a kilometre.
(1) Turn right heading towards Col de la Traversette.

The pasture soon gives way to rocks, the trail continues through scree. When you get to a trail crossing, head right under a rocky ledge. A few hundred metre before the pass you'll come across the tunnel entrance. The entrance is blocked by neve until the beginning of July (2).

There's a slight aerial passage after the pass. After a good kilometre hike down, take the Sentier du Postier on the right (3).

Next, head up to Refuge Giacoletti (4).

Then, head off to the left and follow the trail leading to a mineral setting at Refuge Sella Quintino, end of today's stage.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 2,467 m - Refuge du Viso
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 2,470 m - Col de la Traversette crossroads
  3. 2 : km 3.21 - alt. 2,943 m - Col de la Traversette "Pas dans le vide"
  4. 3 : km 4.67 - alt. 2,611 m - Postman's or Postman's Path
  5. 4 : km 6.17 - alt. 2,746 m - Giacoletti refuge
  6. E : km 13.66 - alt. 2,640 m - Sella Quintino refuge

Practical information

Over a good kilometre, Sentier du Postier heads over an aerial passage spotted with sloping neves at the beginning of the season. To avoid this, when descending keep going towards Plan Del Ré. From there, walk towards Pô water source (la source du Pô) and head up to Lac Morenza. Go along the left-hand side reaching Tour du Viso trail after a kilometre or so and leading to Refuge Sella Quintino. This route takes 45 minutes longer.
Passing through Tunnel de la Traversette is possible during the summer if equipped with a headlamp.

In the nearby area

Tunnel de la Traversette.
The first tunnel to have been dug beneath the Alps. Completed in 1480. It's 75 metres long.
2900 m high on one side, 2915 m on the other, it allows you to avoid the pass route (2947 m) which is quite difficult.
It was designed to let a mule and a hunched man go through.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
coralie.mangeret@gmail.com
coralie.mangeret@gmail.com

Hello everyone

We did this stage around 15 August, as part of a tour of Mont Viso. We went through the traversette tunnel (no problems, no snow, fine weather in the morning). We didn't take the postman's route because, with our big bags, we were afraid of the difficulty. We took the V17 between Lake Superior and Lake Fiorenza to avoid going all the way back down to Pian del Re. This path was quite steep, hollowed out by the rain and the passage through the waterfall was not easy, not to say dangerous (there is a rope, but it's very flimsy). We made it through, but we had to be cold-blooded.
Then it rained from the Lausetto lake to the refuge. The climb up to the pass (scree) was made difficult by the rain and cold. We could hear the rocks falling from the Viso all the way to the pass.
The plus points: magnificent views, like all the stages of this tour. We were lucky enough to see the Lanza salamander just after Lake Lausetto. We were very well received at Quintino sella, but it's true that the cuisine isn't incredible. On the other hand, the staff at the refuge are very friendly and professional, and the atmosphere is very welcoming.

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Michel Baraille
Michel Baraille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Very good trace

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yoguini
yoguini

because it wasn't mentioned in the description that the postman's path was equipped with a large ladder and ropes, and that it was vertiginous; that's what I meant; this information was given to me by the warden of the Viso refuge; but no worries.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

.... Further to the previous message, why note the very disappointing description when it has not been borrowed.

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grandin
grandin ★

yoguini

why "Reliability of description: Very disappointing"?

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yoguini
yoguini

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

I didn't go via the chemin du postier because of vertigo. So I went via the Pian del Ré refuge and climbed back up via the lakes, which wasn't too difficult. You can also cut across Lac Supérior without going via the Pian del Ré refuge, which isn't too difficult.
no more névés at all on 20/7/2022
otherwise impossible to go wrong the italians have put brand new signs everywhere!

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Luc PARLIER
Luc PARLIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We also cut this stage in two by stopping at the GIACOLETI refuge. When you love it, you don't count ;-). We were well advised, as the refuge is magnificently placed, the welcome is "family" and there are plenty of climbers: a "mountain" atmosphere. The postman's path - below and to the right of the Traversette tunnel - is, in places, airy, but it is well laid out and safe. The Sella Quintino refuge is easily accessible from the valley. Lunchtime is a bit of a factory! The food is just as disappointing.
N.B: The tunnel has been refurbished. There's no need to bend over, but a headlamp is useful.

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billet thierry
billet thierry

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 19, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I'd just like to point out that the tunnel has now been widened and raised and that you can go through it without bending down; but also that when you're tired you have to be careful not to miss the postman's path... which we did and then the climb back up to the pass is really steep!

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vincentraoult
vincentraoult

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very fine, sporty route... Avoid doing it on a Sunday as the paths are invaded by picnickers (or those eating grilled sausages at the Giacoletti hut), who drive up to the Pian del Re, invasive and sometimes very discourteous...

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Sandra Sun
Sandra Sun

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 15, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The most difficult stage of this tour in my opinion.

As announced, the passage through the tunnel (Bucco di Viso) allows you to avoid the climb to the Col de la Traversette at this time of year (August).
On the way down, when you have the choice between the "Sentier du Postier / Plan del Re", make sure you are aware that the Sentier du Postier includes passages with ladders and cables, and that the climb to the Giacoletti refuge is very steep! On the other hand, the food is very good - we'd left without a picnic. A beautiful trail.
The descent from the Giacoletti refuge towards the lakes is very beautiful, and then begins the long, long, long climb towards the Quintino Sella refuge..... the clouds had covered the Viso and were descending very low... you couldn't see the top! I found the climb up the scree endless! Luckily, a herd of ibex entertained us on the way!
The Quintino Sella refuge is very beautiful and very large. Great welcome, good food. It's the starting point for the ascent of Viso.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Thank you for your comment, which confirms that the former barracks, now the Quintino Sella Refuge, is not at all top-notch. Especially if you've slept in the 3-storey dormitory. If so, are the beds still made of metal?
On the other hand, this location on the edge of the lake and at the foot of Viso is remarkable.

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Diablet
Diablet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Passage of the Col Traversette with 150 m of good névé, tunnel blocked by snow, descent on the ridge on the edge of névé to the old fort, very beautiful, we avoided the passage to the refuge Giacometti, too hard with the snow, descent to the source of Po and back up to the right by path passing under a waterfall ...free shower....after a very long walk to the Sella refuge, 1km of good Neve up to the Viso pass..Sella refuge, shower broken, inside toilet closed, canteen food downmarket...to be avoided, but it's the day of the reopening.in short, a beautiful day, hard but lots of flowers and magnificent scenery.

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chris.lorenzo@orange.fr
chris.lorenzo@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2014
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

In fact, I didn't do this exact hike.
We didn't go via the Giacoletti refuge, but continued down and turned 100m above Plan del Re.
The tunnel was closed for repairs :-(

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DUBUISSON GEORGES
DUBUISSON GEORGES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 16, 2013
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The névé on the French side poses no difficulty. It is quite short. The tunnel is not visible at the moment. Numerous névés on the descent to Giacoletti. You need to be very good at walking on steep névés. Major risk if you slip.

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