Monday 18 August 2014

Gran Paradiso - Rhemes Notre Dame to Bien (in Valsavarenche) via Col di Entrelor

Looking back to Col Fenetre from Vallone di Entrelor
After the usual breakfast of bread and jam we set off across the river Dora di Rhemes, and up through  through the forest on route 10 climbing quickly as it was cold and the path took an easy but steady gradient. We emerged onto open meadow at about 2000m into the Vallone di Entrelor. The ascent continued past Alpage d'Entrelor and the fine arches of Alpage Plan des Freya.
Looking SW from the Col di Entrelor

The final approach to the col used some metal rungs bolted into into a rock that blocked the path. From here we had an eagle eyes view back down the route we had ascended. It makes the effort worthwhile and a certain feeling of self satisfaction.
The descent from Col di Entrelor (3007m) was an easy and pleasant gradient past Lac Noir (2666m) and Lac Djouan (2516m). The path headed NE on a high balcony path with fine views of Gran Paradiso and the route up from Rif Chabod that we had descended last Wednesday 13th Aug.


Col di Entrelor
We passed a large farm called Alpage Sopranaz at 2283m then a National park property before dropping into the forest for the final 600m of descent on route 7 to Creton and our campsite near Bien.
The campsite was camping Grivola at 1635m. It was next to a large hotel with a nice bar and restaurant and a small general store. The campsite facilities were excellent. After such a tough day we chose to eat in the hotel which was a good choice.
Lindsey had potato soup, followed by a quiche and walnut salad and a chocolate desert. I had a pancake for starter that had cheese and ham in it, followed by beef with roast potato then apple tart for desert. The meals cost 19euros each. One of the best meals we had this holiday.

Ascent 1352m
Descent 1435m
Dist. 15km



Looking east to Col Lauson

Looking SE from the col

Gran Paradiso


1 comment:

Unknown said...

Great shot of the Gran Paradiso, looking very white. I wonder what the summer will be like this year.