In snowshoes up to Chaligne refuge
Gignod
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Difficulties:E - Excursionist
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Best period:
January - March
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Departure:end of asphalt road Petit-Buthier - Gignod (1478 m)
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Arrival:Chaligne hut (1935 m)
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Difference in level:457 mt.
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Ascent:1h30
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Duration coming back:1h00
How to get there
Aosta Est highway exit. Follow the directions for the Gran San Bernardo tunnel. After Gignod, you’ll reach the the village of Condemine: just beyond, turn left towards Buthier. Climb the road to its end.
This short and simple excursion lets beginners enjoy their first snow shoe outing without any problem.
Description of the route
After leaving your car, continue on your left along the snow-covered road which turns right after a couple of minutes: a view of Pointe de Chaligne and its welcoming peaks suddenly appears. Climb the slope to the fork: turn left following the signs for path 3A. Climb the wide slope to quickly reach the Mendey mountain pasture, go around it on the left and follow the slope to another fork: first turn right and then, after about thirty meters, turn left taking the clear mule track.
The track climbs the slope hugging some sparse larch woods to the slope under the Roncaille mountain pasture. Take the track that passes under the pasture and leave it, after about 150 m, to head West, ignoring the path on the left. You will soon enter a larch and red fir wood, climbing a small valley on the left to the snow-covered farm road. Cross the road for the first time and continue South, crossing the road two more times. The climb becomes slightly steeper until you find the road that leads to the alp: you can see the end from here. Just a few more minutes and you’ll reach the pasture and Chaligne refuge.