HIKES TOWARDS THE VISAILLE
Dora Walk
At the exit of the campsite, turn left and continue on the paved road for about 200/300 meters until you find a small car park on the right. From here begins the unpaved path along the Dora, also a mountain bike path. Continue along the river almost 1 km until you reach a large parking lot and Follow the path into the woods on the left, then follow a flat dirt road, ascending gradually, and follow it. Cross the two bridges and continue along the road until you reach a small group of houses- known as the Freney. Here you arrive at a crossroads. Stay on the right (path going down) and continue to follow the path. Follow the indications for Località La Purtud. You walk in the forest, eventually crossing a mountain stream (sometimes dry) and the La Sorgente Campground. Follow the road down stream, and reach a large white building with red doors that you found while going up in Val Veny. From there, once you have crossed the bridge, turn right and walk the paved road back to the campsite.
Difficulty: easy (flat, except for two switchbacks uphill to Le Freney)
Total length: 6.5 km
Total walking time: 1h30
Refreshments: near the Plan Veny car park, Roger Richard Pramotton bar, fountains
La Visaille
Departure from the campsite: take the steep path that goes up the ski slope near the woods on the right until you find a dirt road that crosses the ski slope. Turn right and follow the path in the woods until you reach the end of the dirt road, situated on a curve in the paved road just before La Visaille. If you go up the two bends, it is possible to reach an observation point of the Mont Blanc range with the names of the various mountains indicated (roughly in correspondence with the La Visaille sign, but on the left side of the road). To return to the campsite it is possible either to take the same route back or to take the paved road on foot or by bus (camping stop: La Zerotta).
Difficulty: not very difficult
Total walking time: about 2 hours
Lago Verde (1659 mt)
On leaving the campsite, turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). Alternatively, it is possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception, “La Zerotta” stop at the exit of the campsite, on the opposite side of the road, to the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking lot at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
After the bar-restaurant on the right, just after a bridge, you will find signs for the Lac Vert (Jardin du Miage). Immediately cross a small stream and follow the path with clearly visible yellow signs. After about 10 minutes of walking there is an illustrative panel with the names of the summits of the Mont Blanc range indicated. Shortly after, cross a small bridge and continue to keep to the right always following the yellow marks on the stones, cross a small stream and follow the yellow marks which indicate the path to the left. Take the path that climbs until you meet a first sign indicating another 15 minutes walk. Continue until you find a post without a sign, but on which it is written to follow the path that climbs to the left to reach the lake.
Difficulty: hiking
Total journey time: 45 minutes from La Visaille
Miage Lake (2020 mt)
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
Starting from the barrier, follow the ascending road for about 1 hour to Lac Combal.
Once at Lac Combal, take the path to the right and follow it for 20 minutes to Lac du Miage. WARNING! It is a glacial lake- do not swim!!!
Difficulty: easy, hiking trail
Supplies: Cabane du Combal: 0165 1756421 or 339 6938817
Total journey time: 1h20
Elisabetta Hut (2195 mt)
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
From the barrier, follow the signs for Refuge Elisabetta, ascending for 1 hour on the road to the Combal Lake, then continuing for 45 minutes on flat ground, finally climbing 20 minutes up a steep road to the hut.
This path is may also be taken by mountain bike.
WARNING! Only the first part of the path on the paved road is in the shade. The rest is exposed to the sun.
Opening period from mid-June to end of September
Telephone: 0165 844080
Difficulty: easy, hiking trail
Total walking time: 2h30
Col de la Seigne (2515 mt)
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
From the barrier, follow the signs for Refuge Elisabetta, ascending for 1 hour on the road to the Combal Lake, then continuing for 45 minutes on flat ground, finally climbing 20 minutes up a steep road to the hut.
About halfway up the last section of the climb to the refuge, follow the path which curves to the left. In about an hour and a half you arrive at the Col de la Seigne, at 2515 meters, and the border between Italy and France. Along the way is an Espace Mont Blanc booth, a regional environmental awareness structure which, during the summer season, organizes awareness days (free entry; information on flora, fauna, glaciers, history, etc.) .
This path may also be traveled by mountain bike.
WARNING! Only the first part of the path on the paved road is in the shade. The rest is exposed to the sun.
Difficulty: hiking trail
Total walking time: 3h30
Mont Fortin- Col Chavannes
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
Follow the road to the Combal lake. Cross the bridge until you meet the TMB path on the left, and follow it to Arp Vieille where you can see the steep path n°8 ascending to the right. At the beginning you climb in alpine meadows, and the final stretch is on stony ground. You reach the summit of Mont Fortin (2760 m) in about 3h20, then continue through the meadows for 30 minutes to reach Col Chavannes (2600 m). From here descend to the Elisabetta Hut, and then to the valley floor, eventually re-tracing your path on the Val Veny road.
Difficulty: hiking trail
Duration: 5-6 hour round trip
Pyramides Calcaires (2600 mt)
After reaching the Refuge Elisabetta, follow the path that climbs behind the refuge on the right between meadows and stony ground. After about 20 minutes you will find a crossing. Keep left and in about an hour and 15 minutes you will arrive at the Col des Pyramides Calcaires (2600m). Here are the remains of a small barracks dating from the Second World War (WARNING! For our four-legged friends there is barbed wire!). From here, follow the path that descends until you reach the TMB path (yellow signs), and turn left to continue the descent to the valley floor.
Difficulty: hiking trail
Travel time: from the Elisabetta refuge 2h30 (out and back from the hut)
Bivacco Hess (2595 mt)
After reaching the Refuge Elisabetta, take the path that climbs behind the refuge on the right between meadows and stony ground. After about 20 minutes you will find a crossing. Turn right and follow signs for the Bivacco Hess. Continue along the path to the stream (Warning! Look for the easiest point to cross! In the afternoon there may be a greater volume of water when temperatures are high). Continue on grassy areas, then broken ground and scree, following a clearly visible trail (n°13). The bivouac is located on a rocky terrace overlooking the Lex Blanche glacier (2595 m).
Difficulty: experienced hikers
Travel time: from La Visaille 4h30 ascent
Bivacco Rainetto (3047 mt)
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
Follow the road to Lac Combal, from there keeping right- near the bar-restaurant-hut Refuge du Combal. Follow the signs on the left. Before reaching the foot of the moraine of the Miage glacier, follow the path that heads left up the steep slopes, toward the Mont Tseuc. Following the path, go up the valley to a fork, and turn right, continuing until you cross a meltwater stream. Continue along the path- some rocky sections should not be underestimated! Pass a small snowfield and steep rock, continuing to follow the yellow signs. After the rock, continue over rocky terrain and climb following the yellow markings and occasional cairns until you see the bivouac at 3047m. The terrain is steep, and the bivouac is not visible until the very last section.
Difficulty: expert hikers
Travel time: from La Visaille 4h30 ascent
Monzino Hut (2590 mt)
At the entrance of the campsite, turn left and follow the main road to a picnic area where the Freney parking lot is located. From here, follow the road that enters the woods, crossing two bridges. Shortly after the bridges the trail to the hut is indicated in yellow, on the left. Follow the path that climbs to the refuge- about 3 hours of walking with some via ferrata. WARNING! The path to Refuge Monzino is intended for expert hikers with the proper equipment– part of it takes place on a via ferrata, and involves ladders, cables, and steep, exposed scrambling.
Also note that overnight parking is prohibited throughout the Val Veny, so it is advisable to leave the car parked at the campsite if you wish to sleep at the refuge.
Opening period from mid-June (depending on snow) to end of August/beginning of September
Telephone: manager Armando Chanoine 3339480629, Mauro 338483909, refuge 0165809553
Difficulty: EEA (equipped expert hikers)
Total walking time: about 3 hours
Bivacco Borelli (2325 mt)
At the entrance to the campsite, turn right and follow the main road until the bridge on the left in La Purtud (large white building with red shutters). From here, follow the road that enters the woods on the left until you find a crossing indicating the refuge on the right after about 3 hours of walking.
The route is first on a path, then on a via ferrata and finally in the last stretch on a path again (pay attention to where you cross the stream, it is usually marked with a cairn because the yellow markings are not clearly visible).
WARNING! The path to Bivacco Borelli is for expert hikers with proper equipment, as part of it takes place via via ferrata (two ladders and a chain, several exposed passages).
Also note that overnight parking is prohibited throughout Val Veny, so it is advisable to leave the car parked at the campsite if you wish to sleep at the refuge.
Opening period: always, shelter unsupervised
Difficulty: Expert hikers
Total walking time: 3 hours
Gonella Hut (3071 mt)
From the campsite entrance turn left and follow the main road to the La Visaille bar (about 3 km). It is also possible to take the bus (schedules displayed at reception. “La Zerotta” stop at the entrance to the campsite, on the oppositee side of the road – exit the bus at the terminus). WARNING! Cars must be parked in the car parks near the picnic area, as there is no parking at La Visaille. We advise you to reach La Visaille on foot or by bus.
Follow the road to Lac Combal, from there keep to the right and near the bar-restaurant-hut La Cabane du Combal. Follow yellow signs on the left. Follow the path up to the moraine of the Miage glacier, ascending and following cairns on the central part of the glacier – covered with stones. This is long. You pass two glaciers that descend from the right (Glacier du Mont Blanc and Glacier du Dôme), continuing almost to the foot of the Aiguilles Grises. (from here you may already see the refuge, though it is not easy to spot!) Avoid crevasses on the left side of the glacier, then traverse right and exit the glacier (steeper hiking, slightly exposed, difficult to find in poor weather). Follow the path along grassy ledges, loose gullies, and rocky terrain. A snowfield leads to a spur on which there are fixed ropes, just below the hut. WARNING! The path to the Gonella refuge is for expert hikers, as part of it takes place on a glacier, and involves exposed terrain.
Difficulty: expert hikers
Total walking time: 5h30 ascent
Telephone: Davide +39 0165 885101/ 339 5849608, Mauro +39 3404065672