Gran Paradiso - Cogne and Valnontey

Cogne

The walking had come to an end for this holiday at least. 13 consecutive days walking with an average of over 1000m per day. We always find walking in the Alps easier than in the UK for some reason. Many of the paths take a zig zag route up the steep parts rather than going direct and this must make it easier.

Today we headed into Cogne and used the free electric bicycles that are available to borrow from the tourist information centres in the area. They are also available in Pont and Valsaverenche, they are probably available elsewhere but these are the ones I have seen.

Cogne

From Cogne we cycled SE to Lillaz, a pretty little village at the end of the valley.

In the afternoon we returned to Valnontey and visited the botanic gardens. It is best to visit earlier in the flowering season, we were too late to see it at its best.

Valnontey

Gran Paradiso - Gimillan (near Cogne) Aosta

Grivola from Pta di Mompers

We caught the first free bus of the day from Valnontey to Cogne, then another up to Gimillan which is north of Cogne. Gimillan is a lovely south facing village catching the best of the sun. We followed path 3 from the top of the village through fields and then into woodland. The path climbed easily to Arpisson (2294m). This lead us towards Plan di Bessey, but we turned NE on route 2a towards an un-named col at 2780m then on a fine grassy path to col Tsa-Setze.


A large group of mountain bikers came speeding down the narrow path.

Looking NW toward Mont Blanc

From the col we went on to Pte. de Mompers 2793m, where we stopped for lunch out of the cold wind.
Path 22 lead down to a farm at la Nouvaz and then onto a dusty track past a lake with a cafe and lots of people sunbathing. We must have tooked dusty and rough!

We then had a unpleasant ascent on a ski run\track to the top of the chair lift. We walked on to Lago di Chamole to avoid the shock of busy chairlift station.

On returning to the chairlift it was being used by mountain bikers riding a down hill route to Pila. The cafe was blasting heavy rock music that came as a shock to the system afer a couple of weeks of quiet mountain passes. The view of Mont Blanc was fantastic.

Dropping into Aosta from the cable car

We took the chairlift down to Pila, a large ski resort and then the cable car down to Aosta where we walked to the bus station to catch the bus back to Cogne and then the free bus to Valnontey.

Gran Paradiso - Rif. Vittoria Sella to Valnontey via Bivouac. Leonessa

 Rifugio Vittoria Sella (2588m)

Muesli, bread and jam with plenty of tea for breakfast at Rifugio Vittoria Sella (2588m). Well done to the family, good evening meal and breakfast makes you wanting to visit again. I wish all the refuges offered museli for breakfast, it keeps you going much longer than just bread and jam.

On the Herbetet traverse looking south 

We followed route 18b south from the refuge. The path remains at approximately 2600m following a balcony route called the Herbetet traverse above the Valnontey valley. In places the ground dropped steeply from a narrow path but a rope was provided for reassurance at the most exposed parts. If you manage Col de Entrelor you will be fine on this. We passed a couple of small lakes (L. del Lauson) and saw both chamois and ibex.

Looking up Vallone Herbetet to Herbetet

Looking SE from Biv. Leonessa

At the National Park hut (PNGP l'Herbetet) we chose to climb up the Vallone Herbetet instead of heading down into the valley. We headed up the route 22g to the magnificent Bivouac Leonessa (2910m). It sits high on a spur of Herbetet and is used as a overnight stop on its ascent. The hut was very nice with two dining tables new looking mattresses and blankets. The outside had large copper sheets on the walls so  it shone in the sun. We were were tempted to stay for the night but we had not brought enough food and the weather forecast was deteriorating.

Valnontey

We chose to head down the valley to Valnontey following the route 22d. It started to rain lightly but enough to require our jackets.


We pitched the tent at the large Stembecco campsite in Valnontey. The pitches are on terraces with excellent facilities. There are hot showers, washing up sinks and a cafe on site.





That evening we ate at the local Pizzeria Lou Talapen The food was really very good.
Later in the evening we took advantage of the cozy cafe on the campsite to sit and drink wine and look back on a lovely holiday.

Ascent 780m
Descent 1697m