The route via the Refuge de l’Epée is nice because you can have a last drink before the Col de la Fenêtre. Be careful: when I did it, there were still patches of snow. The eastern side is very steep and steep-sided. Don’t attempt this if you’re not sure-footed or suffer from vertigo. Fortunately, I had a very light rucksack (3.4 kg); otherwise, a slip would have been inevitable. After that, it’s plain sailing
Valgrisenche – Refuge Delle Marmotte
A pleasant climb with views of the lake. The Chalet de l’Épée refuge is a great place to relax before the climb up to the pass. On the other side of the pass, there may be a snowfield in a narrow gully, so be careful if you’re wearing trail shoes. The Refuge de la Marmotte is a collaborative refuge. The wardens are there for two weeks and the food is good!
This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tor des Geants Complet
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 15.26 km -
Average duration: 9h 00 -
Difficulty: Very difficult -
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Back to start: No -
Ascent: + 1,638 m -
Descent: - 1,177 m -
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Highest point: 2,856 m -
Lowest point: 1,677 m
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Country:
Italy
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Area: Alps -
District:
Valgrisenche -
Start: N 45.625072° / E 7.063532° -
End: N 45.555756° / E 7.127663° -
IGN map(s): Ref. 3532ET, 3532ETR -
Hour-by-hour weather
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S : km 0 - alt. 1,677 m
- 1 : km 2.27 - alt. 2,087 m - Benevy, Sentiero Italia Stage 3
- 2 : km 5.41 - alt. 2,368 m - Refuge de l'Épée (2370m)
- 3 : km 8.52 - alt. 2,852 m - Finestra di Tey Pass
- 4 : km 12.83 - alt. 1,723 m - Rhêmes - Dora Di Rhêmes (cours d'eau) - Italie - Affluent du Savara
- 5 : km 13.69 - alt. 1,862 m - Gran Ru
- E : km 15.26 - alt. 2,146 m - Entrelor
Other walks in the area
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Saint-Grat Lake and Refuge Adami
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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.
Lac du Vuert
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13.71 km
+863 m
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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.
Planaval - Rifugio chalet de l'Epée
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11.55 km
+969 m
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A Trek through Valgrisenche with a view over the large village dam.
Bruil - Eaux Rousses
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+1,273 m
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Another valley trek, the aim of today is Valsavarenche.
Albert Deffeyes Mountain Hut - Valgrisenche
Visorando member 22.10 km
+1,364 m
-2,182 m
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Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
The hike begins with a long climb up to the pass. The views are magnificent. The descent to Valgrisenche is long. There is a restaurant on the descent to Planaval, run by young people who have taken over their parents’ business. It’s a lovely place to spend some time whilst waiting for the hike to end at the bottom of the valley.
Deffeyes Shelter - Planaval
Visorando member 
13.32 km
+1,177 m
-2,107 m
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Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
A long and difficult stage due to the ascension of 2 passes.
Refuge de la Marmotte - Eaux Rousses
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+863 m
-1,343 m
6h 20
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Departure from Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (Aosta Valley)
A short day, as the next day we’ll be heading into the Gran Paradiso National Park, where wild camping is prohibited. The Hostellerie du Gran Paradis is the only place to stay overnight. The food is excellent, but be warned: at weekends it’s often packed with Italians, French and others who are mountain biking.
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