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 Géants
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 9.48 mi -
Average duration: 9h 00 -
Difficulty: Very difficult -
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Back to start: No -
Ascent: + 5,374 ft -
Descent: - 3,862 ft -
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Highest point: 9,370 ft -
Lowest point: 5,502 ft
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Country:
Italy
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Area: Alps -
City:
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 : mi 0 - alt. 5,502 ft
- 1 : mi 1.41 - alt. 6,847 ft - Benevy, Sentiero Italia Stage 3
- 2 : mi 3.36 - alt. 7,769 ft - Refuge de l'Épée (2370m)
- 3 : mi 5.3 - alt. 9,357 ft - Finestra di Tey Pass
- 4 : mi 7.97 - alt. 5,653 ft - Rhêmes - Dora Di Rhêmes (cours d'eau) - Italie - Affluent du Savara
- 5 : mi 8.51 - alt. 6,109 ft - Gran Ru
- E : mi 9.48 - alt. 7,041 ft - Entrelor
Other walks in the area
Refuge de l'Epée - Bruil
Visorando Member 
3.83 mi
+1,621 ft
-3,763 ft
3h 10
Moderate
Departure from Valgrisenche (Aosta Valley)
Fourth stage between Valgisenche and Val de Rheme.
Saint-Grat Lake and Refuge Adami
Visorando Member 
7.09 mi
+2,635 ft
-2,635 ft
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.
Lac du Vuert
Visorando Member 
8.52 mi
+2,831 ft
-2,815 ft
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.
Planaval - Rifugio chalet de l'Epée
Visorando Member 
7.18 mi
+3,179 ft
-561 ft
6h 05
Moderate
Departure from Arvier (Aosta Valley)
A Trek through Valgrisenche with a view over the large village dam.
Bruil - Eaux Rousses
Visorando Member 8.16 mi
+4,177 ft
-4,347 ft
7h 25
Difficult
Departure from Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (Aosta Valley)
Another valley trek, the aim of today is Valsavarenche.
Albert Deffeyes Mountain Hut - Valgrisenche
Visorando Member 13.73 mi
+4,475 ft
-7,159 ft
10h 15
Very difficult
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 
8.28 mi
+3,862 ft
-6,913 ft
7h 10
Difficult
Departure from La Thuile (Aosta Valley)
A long and difficult stage due to the ascension of 2 passes.
Refuge de la Marmotte - Eaux Rousses
Visorando Member 8.35 mi
+2,831 ft
-4,406 ft
6h 20
Difficult
Departure from Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (Aosta Valley)
A short day as the next day takes you into the Gran Paradiso National Park, where camping is prohibited; I had to cut the stage short, otherwise it would have had to be extended unreasonably. The Hostellerie du Gran Paradis is the only place to stay overnight. The food is great, but be warned: at weekends there are often Italians, French people, etc. out mountain biking.
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