Val d’Aosta Alps
Hiking Trip Details
- Location: Val d’Aosta
- Length: 8 days
- Grade: Strenuous and strenuous plus
- Accommodations: Mountain huts and hotels
- Group size: 5 – 12
- Dates: July 8 – 15, 2012
- Land Cost (US$): $2,995
Hiking Trip Summary
Tucked up against the southern flank of Western Europe’s highest peaks and bordered by France and Switzerland are Italy’s Val d’Aosta Alps. First settled by the Celtics, then the Romans, then influenced by
the French and Swiss Walsers, this region of intriguing cultural fusion boasts incredible natural beauty and a thriving mountain heritage.
Part day-hikes and part hut-to-hut experience, this 8-day tour will take us through the quieter Italian backyard of our old stomping grounds, the Mont Blanc area. Our hikes will lead us along the high balconies of the Val Veni and Val Ferret with their front-row views of Mont Blanc, the Dent du Géant, and the legendary Grande Jorasses, and will head over the breathtaking Col de Malatra and down through the less traveled Valle Gran San Bernardo.
We will stroll the narrow streets of Courmayeur, visit the Roman ruins of Aosta, and hike to high mountain farms famous for their Fontina. Under the watchful gaze of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Monte Rosa, our evenings will be spent in the quiet seclusion of alpine huts, whose owners are welcoming and eager to share with us their knowledge of local customs and love of mountain life.
Periodically we like to extend to our alumni and those looking for a real adventure, the invitation to join us on our exploration of new areas and routes. Several years ago Alessio Berthod of the Hotel Berthod in Courmayeur and his wife Miora renovated and converted a family farm near Aosta into a rifugio. This, coupled with our desire to spend more time hiking in the Val Veni and Italian Val Ferret, inspired us to devise this route that incorporates both. The combination of the familiar and the new, and our collaboration with the family Berthod, promises to make this an exceptional experience.
Itinerary
Day 1: We meet you at the Geneva Airport at 1:00 pm for a group transfer to Courmayeur, Italy. Courmayeur, Chamonix’s Italian counterpart, is nestled at the northern most terminus of the Aosta valley up against the southern side of the Mont Blanc massif. Before gathering for dinner we will have time to wander through its pleasant pedestrian area of narrow walkways lined with attractive shops and café’s. Welcome dinner and orientation. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in the center of Courmayeur.
Day 2: We begin the day with a short transfer up the Val Veni in the direction of French border. After a gradual road walk from La Visialle (5,541’) to Logo Combal (6,462’), we begin our climb up, first to the small ruins at Alpe inférieur de l’Arp Vieille, and then those at Alpe Superieure de l’Arp Vieille . From here the views along the whole length of the Mont Blanc massif start to reveal themselves as we continue to climb to our high point of the day at 7,970’. Our route from here takes on an easier grade. Traversing the mountain, we will be treated to some of the most impressive views the Mont Blanc massif has to offer. We may picnic along the way or stop for lunch at Rifuigio Maison Vieille, tucked in the crook of Col Chércroui (6,415’). From Col Chércroui we descend to Courmayeur, passing first through the lovely little hamlet of Dolonne as we reach the valley. Dinner on your own.
Day 3: Our hike today to Rifugio Bonattii is one of the finest in the Mont Blanc region. Our route will lead out of Courmayeur and through the little settlement of Villar before beginning its steep climb up the southern flank of Mont Saxe to the Rifugio Bertone (6.547’). Depending on time and weather, we may stop for lunch at the rifugio or continue over the rise of Mont Saxe for a picnic spot with an amazing view.
From Rifugio Bertone our route climbs more gradually to reach our high point at le Pré (6,970’). As we traverse along the front side of Mont Saxe, our expansive views down the lengths of the Val Veni and Val Ferret will be crowned by the peaks of Mont Blanc, the Dent du Géant, and Grand Jorasses. Contouring through the beautiful alpages of Leuchy, Armina, and Secheron, we end our day with a final climb to the delightful Rifugio Bonatti (6,642’).
Day 4: Today we head off into new territory. Leaving Bonatti our route climbs through remote green pastures to the dramatic and barren Col Malatra. The views of Mont Blanc and her surrounding peaks promise to be stunning form this unique perspective. Not unlike the Fenetre d’Arpette on the Tour du Mont Blanc route, the Col Malatra offers a narrow gap of a pass between the two valleys. The final approach to the col crosses a scree field and is aided by hand ropes as you near the summit (9,603’) and likewise metal steps and hand lines aid the first part of our descent. Once across a descending scree field, the trail takes on an easier grade leading us down into the Valle del Gran San Bernardo and our hotel for the evening.
Day 5: Our hike today begins in the little hamlet of Etroubles. Climbing up the through forests and pastures, our views down the Aosta valley and off toward the towering peaks of Monte Cervino (the Matterhorn) and Monte Rosa will become more expansive as we approach Rifugio Chaligne, our accommodation for the next two nights.
The owners of Rifugio Chaligne, Alessio and Moira Berthod, take great pride in their renovation of the rifugio, its use of local materials, its respect for architectural traditions of the area, and its sensitivity to environmental issues. Their meals are traditional mountain fare and rely heavily on locally produced ingredients.
Day 6: Our day hike from the rifugio will take us up to Punta Chaligne (8,554’) with its 360-degree views taking in the highest 4,000 meter peaks in the Alps, including Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn.
The high pastures surrounding Rifugio Chaligne lie in the heart of the Fontina cheese region. Descending from Punta Chaligne we’ll have time to stop at a local farm and learn about Fontina cheese production, returning to the rifugio with time to relax and enjoy this peaceful mountain setting before dinner.
Day 7: Leaving Rifugio Chaligne in the morning, an hour’s walk down the mountain will bring us to our pick up point. From here we will transfer into Aosta, the capital of the Val d’Aosta region. First settled by the Celts the Romans took control of the area in 25 BC. Ancient city walls, archways, towers, and an amphitheater remain as testaments to Aosta’s historic importance as a military outpost and trading center during Roman times.
After a walking tour we will have time to wander the narrow, cobbled streets of Aosta and maybe stop for lunch at one of the cafes that line the central plaza. Our day will end with a picturesque drive up the Aosta valley, lined with vineyards and studded with mountainside castles, to its terminus in Courmayeur. Farewell dinner.
Day 8: The trip will end with an early morning transfer back to the Geneva Airport in time to connect with late-morning flights back to the States.
Additional Information
Included
Group transfers to and from the Geneva Airport, all accommodations, all continental-style breakfasts, all dinners except one, all group transfers on ski lifts, buses and trains as described in the itinerary, guides, great hiking and memories!
Not Included
Airfare, lunches, two dinners in Courmayeur, optional/individual transfers or excursions, items not on set dinner menu, beverages, insurance, tips to guides/leaders, items of personal nature.
Luggage
This hike is not vehicle supported. You will need to carry a small to moderate sized pack with only the clothing and accessories you will need for the duration of hike. (See our Sample Packing List.) With advances in synthetic clothing and other travel gear, it’s possible to keep your pack weight to 15 to 20 lbs. including lunch and water. Any extra luggage or belongings you may have can be left at the hotel in Chamonix.
Accommodations and Facilities
The accommodations on our Val d’Aosta Alps trip vary from comfortable 3-star hotels to rustic mountain refuges. The accommodations include the following:
Hotels: We will spend 3 nights in Courmayeur at the Hotel Berthod (www.hotelberthod.com). The rooms are comfortable, double occupancy with private baths. Our groups have been staying at the Hotel Berthod for over 20 years as a stop on our Tour du Mont Blanc.
One night will be spent in a comfortable hotel in the Valle de Gran San Bernardo. Rooms will be double occupancy with private baths
Moutain Huts or Rifugios: We spend three nights in mountain refuges. They are wonderful rustic farms that have been converted to accommodate hikers. They have bunk rooms, called dortoirs, complete with blankets and pillows. The shared facilities vary, but all have washing and bathroom areas and hot showers.
Breakfasts and dinners are served at the hotels or rifugios and lunches are picnic style along the trail.
Travel
Included in the trip cost is a group transfer from the Geneva Airport on day 1 and to the Geneva Airport on day 8. It is easiest to fly to Geneva, however, there are frequent trains to Geneva from Zurich or Paris just be sure to allow for extra travel time. For information on how to get to Courmayeur on your own, please contact us.
What makes this trip different
Our Val d’Aosta Alps is a new trip for us this year. This is an exploratory hike. While we are very experienced in planning itineraries, and are exceedingly familiar with the long-distance hiking system and especially this particular corner of the Mont Blanc region, this will be our first time actually hiking this route. While we have stayed at many of the accommodations along this route, some will be new to us.
Who would like this trip?
This would be a perfect hike for experienced hikers, who have previously hiked with us either guided or self-guided and would like the experience of discovering a new route along with us. As we cannot make the same kind of guarantees or speak with the same accuracies we can of our other trips, participants should be flexible, dependable, and have a well-developed sense of humor and spirit of adventure.
Meeting point
Geneva airport at 1:00 pm on the first day for a group transfer to our hotel in Courmayeur.
Ending Point
Included is a group transfer from the hotel in Courmayeur the morning of the last day, arriving the Geneva airport arriving about 9:30 am.
For a more detailed itinerary that includes elevation gains, loss and distance, or to register please call.
Italy Trips
Hut Hikes
Inn-to-Inn
Self-Guided
Distant Journeys rocks! You have all the details covered. Very creative and well planned itinerary. Very professional.
Julia Alaimo , Rochester NY
