Tour des Six

extra night in Aosta or Champoluc

 

Arrive in the mountain village of Champoluc in the Val d'Ayas. This beautiful village is situated at an altitude of almost 1600 meters, so there's no shortage of fresh mountain air. From the center, you'll hike past a beautiful waterfall up to the Walser village of Mascognaz. Continue through the forest to Crest, where you'll return later in your journey for an overnight stay. You'll pass under the cable car and, via the hamlet of Sousun, reach Rifugio Ferraro.  You can shorten the route to about 5 km by taking the cable car from Champoluc to Crest.

Distanza: 8 km

Dislivello: +680/-180 m

From the hut, you descend to the village of Saint-Jacques-des-Allemands, located at the very back of the Val d'Ayas. You quickly leave civilization behind by climbing back up the other side of the valley. Your next overnight accommodation is nestled in a hollow, surrounded by high mountains, at over 2,500 meters.

Distanza: 6,5 km

Dislivello: +850/-360m

If you're feeling up to it, you can start the day with a climb to the Col de Nannaz, where you'll be rewarded with stunning views in clear weather. After a descent, there's a steep climb through the pine forest to the glacial lake Lac Lochien (2276 m). You'll have magnificent views of the Monte Rosa mountains and Cervino. From here, a long descent into the Valle d'Ayas follows. From here, take the bus back to Champoluc. If you're still feeling energetic, you can continue on to Champoluc in 30-40 minutes. Once you've filled your backpack with snacks from the local supermarket, there's a final climb to Rifugio Vieux Crest. If you're tired of this, you can also take the cable car.

Distanza: 8,5 km. Col de Nannaz: 3 km

Dislivello: +170/-1100. Col de Nannaz: +240/-240 m

A serious climb awaits you this morning to the Colle di Pinter, at an altitude of almost 2,800 meters. Fortunately, you'll be rewarded with phenomenal views: on one side, the Val d'Ayas, where you've just come from, and on the other, the Val del Lys, into which you'll be descending. As you descend, the view of the Monte Rosa glacier becomes increasingly clear. The local Walser culture in this part of the Val del Lys is unique; in the Middle Ages, this Germanic nomadic people settled in the area because of the opportunities for high-altitude agriculture. The architecture and dialect still bear the Walser stamp. The Alpenzu Hut, where you'll spend the night today, is a prime example.

Distanza: 9,5 km

Dislivello: +830/-980 m

The first few kilometers take you past green mountain pastures high above Gressoney. The climb is gradual at first, but then it becomes steeper, climbing out of the Val del Lys. The highest point today is the Colle di Valnera at almost 2,700 meters. You continue through a rugged mountain landscape dotted with crystal-clear lakes to Rifugio Arp. 

Distanza: 9,5 km

Dislivello: +910/-280 m

Sadly, it's already the last day of your mountain adventure. As you'll understand after yesterday's climb, today's descent is steep. The first part of the route is above 2000m altitude, passing through a wondrous mountain landscape. Gradually, the Val d'Ayas comes back into view, and you descend into the green surroundings of Champoluc. This is where the tour ends, but we strongly recommend you relax on a terrace and enjoy a drink after a fantastic hike

Distanza: 10 km

Dislivello: +420/-860 m

You'll hike 7 to 14 km per day through mountainous terrain. On days 1 and 2, you'll ascend more than you descend, approximately 800 m of climbing per day. Day 6 is challenging due to the long descent to Champoluc, descending over 1100 m. The trails are well-maintained and marked, but steep and rocky in places. There's no luggage transfer; you'll carry your luggage in your backpack. This hike is not suitable for hikers with a fear of heights.

It's not possible to do this tour solo. The hikes take you through rugged, mountainous terrain, so for safety reasons, it's best not to do this trip alone

Per i nostri viaggi scegliamo sempre strutture di accoglienza con camera private e bagno privato. In rari casi, sono previste sistemazioni condivise o con bagno in comune per questo ti consigliamo di controllare sempre con attenzione la sezione delle inclusioni per capire che tipologia di sistemazione è prevista all’interno del viaggio che ti interessa.

Diamo molta importanza alla scelta delle sistemazioni e scegliamo le strutture alberghiere con cura e attenzione. Sappiamo quanto sia importante riposare bene dopo una giornata di cammino. Preferiamo sempre strutture accoglienti e caratteristiche, preferibilmente a conduzione familiare, che rappresentino a pieno lo spirito del luogo e sappiano ospitarvi con cortesia e confort. 

Dove, per la natura del percorso, la scelta di strutture di accoglienza è limitata, scegliamo l’opzione che più si avvicina al nostro ideale. 

You'll spend five nights in beautifully situated, lovingly renovated mountain huts. You'll stay in a shared room with a shared bathroom. Wi-Fi is unavailable, but mobile phone coverage is usually available. Please bring your own sleeping bag and towel. Blankets and duvets are provided.