Staffal - Col d'Olen
Gressoney-La-Trinité
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Difficulties:E - Excursionist
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Best period:
July - September
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Departure:Staffal (1839 m)
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Arrival:Col d’Olen (2880 m)
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Difference in level:920 m
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length:6.761 m
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Ascent:3h10
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Trail sign:7A - 6 - TMR
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GPS tracks:
In 1636 Col d’Olen was the site of a bloody battle between Spanish and Piedmontese forces, won by the latter despite their heavy losses. The pass became important during the 19th century as the starting point for mountaineering expeditions up Monterosa. As a consequence in 1878 and 1914 two historic hotels were built which are still working today.
Description of the route
The route starts from Stafal in the municipality of Gressoney-La-Trinité, at the Monterosaski ski-lift car-park. You cross the meadows in this hamlet along an easy path and enter the Moos valley along an un-made track for about 400 m. The trail touches the Locher and Leisch mountain pastures, where the path begins to go steeply uphill, winding its way to the intermediate point of the Gabiet. The walk continues along an un-made track for about one hour as far as the turn-off which leads to Col d’Olen, one of the main commercial routes once used by the Walser people of Gressoney and Alagna.
