Trekking and hiking

Courmayeur and its surroundings have a network of walks and marked-out routes from Plan Chécrouit to Val Vény, continuing on towards Val Ferret and La Saxe.

In order to enjoy a day out in the mountains or to organize a true and proper tour, the important thing is to choose the right itinerary and, above all, recognize one's own limits - this way everyone can enjoy the mountainside in safety. Prudence is essential, otherwise it is impossible to say no to a hike through the wonderful surroundings that Courmayeur and nature have to offer.

Departing from Arnouva (1769m), after crossing Bellecombe stream by means of a wooden bridge, there are two ways of reaching the refuge, the easiest is by the dirt road, the other along track n°25 which runs uphill of the road. Although the track is not well signed, it is easy to find and begins beyond the willow wood on the slope to the right of the mountain stream.

Follow the undulating alpine pastures upwards where many different species of flower grow and which are particularly picturesque in July. On the opposite side of the valley you can see the spectactular Triolet glacier and the ruins of old Elena refuge swept away by an avalanche some decades ago but which are still visible. From here you soon reach Rifugio Elena (2062m), a stopping point along the Tour du Mont Blanc at the foot of Col du Ferret on the Swiss border and easy to reach in about 1hr 15mins.

Right opposite the refuge terrace lies one of the most admired glaciers of Val Ferret, Pré de Bard Glacier, with a magnificent serac flowing down from the Dolent glacier above its lion's paw shaped tongue.

La Saxe (1223 m.) - Planpincieux (1576 m.)
ROUTE N2 La Saxe (1223 m.) - Planpincieux (1576 m.)

Estimated time: approx. 1hr

This is an easy path crossing a particularly interesting as regards nature and landscape. It is ideal for those who do not want (or cannot) go beyond the initial changes in sea level to reach higher altitudes. The total vertical drop of the route measures 353m. It takes about an hour's walk to cover the entire well-marked route part of which is dirt farm track and part pathway
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On leaving La Saxe, the first stretch covers a mixture of pastureland and stony ground and leads to a practice climbing wall. From the very beginning this route gives wonderful views of Mont Blanc and of Dente del Gigante. The path soon veers away from the open ground and leads into the woods, made up largely of larch and birch trees, these are gradually replaced by Norway spruce.

Within the wood, populated by numerous species of birds in particular tits and woodpeckers and naturally many squirrels, you come to the council water supply water plug which the path skirts round to the right. Soon after this, go past a junction on the left and continue keeping to the right through more larch trees - some of which have grown to remarkable dimensions.

A little further on and the sky opens up again, the wood thins out to leave room for pastureland and you can see Mont Blanc massif once again. On the opposite side of the valley is the small village of Meyen. Following alternate stretches of woodland and pastureland, a short descent takes you down to the mountain stream, near a bridge.

Go over the bridge, leaving behind a path branching off to the right marked by the number 32 to Rifugio Bertone, this way you reach the orographical right side of the valley, just before Planpincieux take a dirt track which, starting from just before the little bridge, diverges away slightly from the main road and leads to the outskirts of the town.

Extract taken from "Sette itinerari intorno al Monte Bianco Val Veny e Val Ferret (Assessorato Territorio, Ambiente e Opere Pubbliche - Direzione Ambientale).

3- La Visaille (1659 m.) - Lago del Miage (2051 m.) Col de La Seigne (2516 m.)

ROUTE N3 La Visaille (1659 m.) - Lago del Miage (2051 m.) - Col de La Seigne (2516 m.)

Having reached La Visaille - terminal point of the shuttle bus service to Val Veny - follow the asphalt road closed to motor traffic. After about an hour's walk you come to the boggy plateau of Lake Combal. Continue towards the right for about 10 minutes until you reach Bar Combal, then after 15 minutes (keeping towards the right) go upwards to Lake Miage. Here you have the unique sight of a glacier front plunging into the lake. Go back down to Combal, cross the bridge towards Rifugio Elisabetta which is clearly visible in front of you, and follow marked route n°12 to Col de la Seigne.

Along the entire stretch of plateau you can admire the typical vegetation of a marshy alpine zone: cottongrass, arctic reeds and alpine columbine. After about an hour's walk along a dirt track, first on level land but then uphill, you come to "Lex Blanche" pastoral huts. The road continues to the right towards Rifugio Elisabetta (10 minutes) or to the left towards Col de la Seigne (1 hour). A long path runs through the deep valley at the foot of the Pyramides Calcaires - an outcrop of calcareous rocks on the right.  The area is densely populated by marmots and you may also come across some ibexes.

Continue along the gradually climbing path, cross a small stream flowing down from the mountain pass, then to the left where lie the ruins of an old military barracks. The expanses of purple gentian flowers are remarkable. Follow the clear path leading up to the pass and the Italian-French border in about 20 minutes. Pay attention to the weather conditions as fog banks frequently tend to form in this area between Rifugio Elisabetta and Col de la Seigne.

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