ITINERARY
First day : the Walser are Germanic people who
settled in many Alpine valleys during the Middle Ages. Our route
starts from the superb Valley Vogna (Valsesia), with typical
Walser villages and green pastures, to reach Alpe Larecchio: a
beautiful grassy valley with a small alpine lake. Here you will
spend the night in a mountain hut, known for its excellent food
and friendly welcome. 2 ½ hours. 500 m rise.
Second day: the path goes up the Valdobbia Pass
(2480 m), the ancient road between Valsesia and Valle d'Aosta.
Here we will reach Ospizio Sottile, one of the oldest mountain
huts in the Alps. The path then continues down to Gressoney
Saint Jean, towards our next destination: 6 hours 600 m rise, 1000 m drop.
Third day: from Gressoney Saint Jean we will ascend the slope of thehill along an easy and comfortable path towards Ranzola Pass. Afterthe pass, we will descend to Alpe Fenetre, then continue to Estoul,where we resume the ascend along an easy dirt road to the Rifugio Arp,with a panoramic view over the valley. 7 hours, 1400 m uphill, 200 mdownhill.
Fourth day: from Rifugio Arp, going across a flat area, we will arrive in the beautiful wide valley of Palasina lakes; a truly picture squestretch of path, with lakes and vast prairies. Then, after a shortascent on the Palasina pass, we will go down along the Mascogna valley and near the homonymous village, with a short walk, we reach Crest, just above Champoluc. 6 hours, 300 m uphill, 800 m downhill.
Fifth day: the path is not particularly
demanding and without much uphill. It develops on the balcony of
the Val d'Ayas and leads to Bettaforca Col (2727 m), an
important pass between this valley and that of Lys. Then we will
go to the Sitten Hut. The view from the rooftop terrace
overlooking Mount Rosa, with numerous peaks above 4000 meters,
is breathtaking. 4 hours. 700 m rise, 400 m drop
Sixth day: the sixth day is relatively relaxing.
We descend along comfortable dirty roads until Staffal, at the
bottom of the Valle del Lys, before recovering on the opposite
side of Lake Gabiet (2370 m). Here we will stop at the hut “by
Sandro”, a superb cook who is famous for his delicious recipes
from the old alpine traditions. Do not miss the brand new sauna!
4 hours. 500 m rise, 500 m drop.
Seventh day: the trail continues towards the Salati
pass, at 2980 meters, the highest elevation we will reach during
the tour. The track is very easy, but this passage from the
Valle del Lys to Valsesia will remain in your memory, with the
superb views over the glaciers and close to the Regina
Margherita Hut (4559 m), the highest hut in Europe. Lastly, a
final descent will take us back to Alagna into Valsesia, the
greenest valley in Italy. 5 ½ hours. 650 m rise, 1800 m drop.
2012 DATES: July / August
ACCOMMODATION:
- Rifugio Alpe Larecchio
- Hotel Gressoney
- Rifugio ARP
- Rifugio Vieux Crest
- Rifugio Sitten
- Rifugio Gabiet
Please note that properties shown are representative of the
accommodation we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all
accommodation we use, and are subject to change.
LAND COST: 670 € per person.
Price per person with half board in rooms of 4-6 -8 beds.
Our price includes:
- accommodation in mountain huts.
- 6 nights with half board (drinks not included)
- 7 days of guided hiking (with English speaking guides)
- Donkeys and equipment to carry backpacks and luggage
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
- International airfare; transfer to/from Valsesia; personal
insurance; lunches; sodas and alcoholic beverages. Should you
require, we are able to organize your transfers from the airport
to Alagna and back. We are also able to book your accommodation
for the nights before and after the trek.
- Extras.
- Any tips.
WARNING: the trekking with donkeys around Monte Rosa has a
normal hiking difficulty. You must consider the capability of
enjoying six days of walking, hiking along steep slopes.
During the last few days (4th – 5th – 6th day) differences and
distances may be shortened by using ski tows (ask for more
details).
The guide reserves the right to change the itinerary according
to the weather conditions on the mountains or the physical
conditions of the participants.
WHY WITH US:
- We live at the foot of these mountains and we are extremely knowledgeable regarding the area.
- We are English speaking.
- We are more affordable and more experienced than many other companies.
WHERE IT IS:
the starting point of this trek is Sant’Antonio Riva Valdobbia –
Valle Vogna look at
google map
and the finishing stop is Alagna (Valsesia) in Italy. This is
150 km from Milan and 160 km from Turin.
You can also book this tour as a PRIVATE TRIP: contact
info@walkingholidayitaly.com for details.
HOW TO BOOK: just send us an e-mail at
info@walkingholidayitaly.com at least three weeks before.
CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT: Good sturdy walking shoes are necessary
(we do not recommend using new shoes, that could hurt!).
Clothing should be comfortable, warm or cool depending on the
temperature: we advise dressing in layers (underwear T-shirt, longsleeved shirt, fleece) with technical material
which dries quickly. A good backpack is essential, a waterproof jacket and overpants, gloves and
warm hat, sunglasses and cream, a water bottle, emergency food
(some energy bars) and something to eat for lunch on the first
day. Also do not forget the need for personal hygiene, wet wipes,
a towel and a sheet bag (all sold in shelters). Telescopic
trekking poles and gaiters are recommended.
For more information, if you want to join us next summer:
info@walkingholidayitaly.com
T: + 39 335 538 9245 | +39 340 5702773
