A short and relatively easy stage, necessary to recharge the batteries (the only ascent, although not a small one, will seem a little matter compared to those of the previous days). Interesting panorama on the eastern side of the Rutor and on the Morion Glacier.
Water points absent from Valgrisenche to the Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée.
We go down the road towards the valley floor, up to the town of Revers. We then take a carriage road on a slight slope towards Prariond, to then merge into a steep path that climbs briefly (approximately 100 m height difference) to the La Frassy hamlet. We resume the asphalted road up to Gerbelle, from which a path leads us to the church of Valgrisenche.
Then we take the Alta Via 2 path again and start the climb (approx. 700 m height difference) in the dense woods, firm but constant, up to the Benevy hut. From there, the path comes out of the trees and we can admire the underlying Lac de Beauregard. A panoramic cross path (on a slight slope to climb) finally leads us to the Rifugio de l'Epée (2,374 m).
In Valgrisenche, wool production has always been practiced both by women and men: the tisserands.
An ancient craft, with the use of Renaissance-style looms. Using the wool of the Rosset sheep, a rare and protected indigenous breed, the drap (cloth) is produced, a high quality, thick, and very resistant fabric, used in clothing as well as in furnishings.
Lake Beauregard is an artificial basin built in 1957 to produce electricity.
For its realization, five villages in the valley and two high hamlets were submerged. However, due to soil stability problems on the shores of the lake, the reservoir has never been filled to more than a tenth of its capacity and this has brought to light one of the submerged villages.
The barrier, 428 m long, can be traveled both on foot and by car, allowing you to admire the splendid panorama of the valley below.
Throughout the Valle d'Aosta, it is possible to admire various fontina warehouses, dug into the rock, and used for the aging of the famous cheese. Most of the warehouses were obtained from military deposits used during the last world war: the very high relative humidity (> 90%) and the constant temperature (around 10 °) make these environments optimal for seasoning.
In Valgrisenche there is one of these warehouses: it was obtained from the armory of a military fort dating back to the French Revolution period. Inside, up to 7,000 forms of fontina can be matured. It can be visited and… “tasted”.
For more info, timetables and tickets, follow the LINK.
Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée, at the Epée Damon. Tel. +39 0165 97215
Starting point reachable by car.
Starting point reachable by bus, starting from the city of Aosta with a change in Villeneuve.
Here the LINK to check the timetables.
Starting point NOT reachable by train.
Va' Sentiero is a grassroot project, thanks to the spontaneous contribution oft housands of people.
Even the most complicated dream, a 7,000km uphill dream,
can be achieved... together.
Grazie!
