Sport Itineraries: Valgrisenche

Continue along the lane leading to Usellières going alongside the artificial lake of Beauregard. The first part of the route is amost flat and after going through a tunnel carved in the rock, you reach the junction for Rocher and from here you start to climb.
You turn left and start to climb along a snowy track often beaten by ski-moutaineers on their way home. After four hairpin bends you reach a junction: you turn right following the directions towards Plontaz and Quattro Denti. You enter a wood of mainly larch trees making your way along a lengthy, almost straight section; after going past a avalanche mound, you reach a splendid clearing below the abandoned Alpine pastures of Bouque, which you come to after taking a long bend to the left. Once past Bouque, you enter the wood again and climb up the ridge taking a number of hairpin bends until you reach the turn-off for the refuge: you follow the directions for Epée leaving behind the path followed as far as here.
Following the track, which is generally visible, you enter the Bois de Mugner among some imposing larch trees and a few red spruce trees. This stretch, which is slightly uphill, is a mixture of easy level sections and some not-so-easy transverse sections. Gradually you begin to go round the slopes of the Truc de la Seyaz emerging from the wood in view of the summer road which climbs up from Usellières. You take another brief section across the mountainside, entering the snowy bed of the Torrent de Bouque, which you climb along to the foot of the Epée. Your destination is now almost in sight: you make your way across the level area below and finally come to the Chalet de l’Epée.

Park the car just after the hamlet of Bonne, carry on along the road heading towards the valley basin, then take the estate road for Arp Vieille on the right. Follow it and at the first fork, head to the left. Pass the Alpi Meillares and then leave the Alpe Vieille on the right. Head to the left and start climbing the slopes initially gentle then steeper in places, until you come to the saddle close to military remains. Carry on up the slopes keeping to the right on the eastern side and you will reach the peak.
Descend the upward itinerary.

Before your ski mountaineering trip, always check the weather forecast and the snow and avalanches bulletin and set off equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Head up the slopes on the east from Usellière, pass close to the Arolla mountain pasture and immerse yourself in the forest still heading eastwards. The slopes become increasingly steep; head round a rocky crag on the right and you will come to the attractive plains up above. Leave the mountain pasture of Mont Forciaz on your left and carry on following the basin valley. Pass by a clearly visible moraine on your right and head up in the direction of a vast pass (in the second part of the itinerary, it is on the glacier). From here along a short, steeper stretch you will come to the vast peak dorsal.
Descend the upward itinerary.

Before your ski mountaineering trip, always check the weather forecast and the snow and avalanche bulletin and set off equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Park your car in the hamlet of Planaval and follow the farm road that climbs behind it. Cross to your left to the Orfeuille mountain pasture. Continue the climb on the slopes behind it, keeping to the left, to the plateaus above. Cross to your right and follow the unmarked path to the rocky ledges to reach the glacier. Continue South-West until you reach the base of Château Blanc’s steep North slope. Climb it to the ridge to reach the summit.
Descent down the upward itinerary.

Before your ski mountaineering trip, always check the weather forecast and the snow and avalanche bulletin and set off equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Park your car at the beginning of the farm road that leads to Col du Mont (sign).
Follow the road that leads to the Grand Alp chalet. Cross the stream (often over the metallic beams) and follow the main valley towards Col du Mont, highly visible at the end of the valley. When the peaks on the left are gentler, climb leaving a “Half Pipe” groove on your right. Continue climbing a bit to your left until you reach the upper plateaus. Cross them to the right passing to altitude 2,988 m. Follow the border ridge and keep climbing as far as you can with your skis. Continue on foot on the ridge and then on the West side along the steep but short groove that leads to the summit.Descent down the upward itinerary.

Before your ski mountaineering trip, always check the weather forecast and the snow and avalanche bulletin and set off equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

Day one:
From Bonne, continue along the road towards the end of the valley and take the farm road on the right for Arp Vieille. Follow it and turn left at the first fork. You’ll find the Ricci chalet after the Meillares and Vieille alps. Climb the steeper slopes on the right to the one on the left. Continue North to the hill which, with a small drop, leads to the Degli Angeli hut.

Day two:
Cross the slope heading for the Morion glacier. Climb the steep mandatory route, then towards the right, to the hidden canyon that leads to the Rutor hill (were the old Deffeyes hut used to be). Go slightly around the peak and climb the steep final slope.
Descent along the upwards itinerary.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Before your ski mountaineering trip, always check the weather forecast and the snow and avalanche bulletin and set off equipped with avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

From the parking area continue on the paved road until you reach the “magazzino delle fontine”, pass it for about ten meters towards the left where you will find the first footholds. You climb a vertical wall, move to the right and continue on a series of ledges, some of these are aerial but almost always leaning. There is only one part of about 2 meters that requires a bit of resistence on a sheer drop. Once at 1930 meters you reach trail 17 that goes down to the right towards Valgrisenche (1° escape route). This deviation takes you right behind the “magazzino delle fontine”. Instead, continue uphill on the path to the left where you will find the second part of the ferrata at 1950 meters. There are many exposed parts here as well that climb up on the nice equipped plaques with alot of footholds. At 2180 meters you will find another escape route. It is the path that takes to the Grandes Laures (huge plain with a great view). You can also take the steep trail that joins with path 17 that leads back to Valgrisenche. Instead continue to the right on the slightly sloping path, until you once again fasten yourself to the plaques that go up the third part of the ferrata characterized by exposed parts and with difficulty levels similar to the first part. At 2350 meters you will find another escape route, the link to path 18 that leads to La Bethaz. Instead you continue first on the wall and then on the splendid crest to arrive at the peak of Becca. Continue by foot and soon you will arrive at a repeater, the real peak. To go back you continue uphill until you arrive at a small hill where you descend with the help of wires. You will then find path 18 that, towards the right, in 2 hours, leads to the village of La Bethaz. Going back to the state road to the right, towards the dam, for 2.5 km you reach the area of the “magazzino delle fontine” (or fontina cheese warehouse).
To safely cross the ferrata we recommend that you be accompanied by a mountain guide.