Recommended walks
Round trip from Ermitage (1447m) – La Suche (1816m) – Tirecorne (1955m) – Ermitage.
From La Suche continue along the footpath that climbs gently up to the Tirecorne summer alpine
pasture, reached in about 20 minutes. Go past the alpine huts, here there is a fountain and
a short distance after this is the footpath that descends back down to Ermitage (sign post 39).
Of interest the view towards La Thuile and the grand larch trees above the village.
Walking time: about 2 hrs.
Round trip from Ermitage (1447m) – La Suche (1816m) – Freydevaz - Val Sapin - Ermitage.
Depart from behind the refuge, enter the woods following the footpath number 43a in the direction
of Col Sapin. After about 1 hour of walking up and down, the path divides, take the left fork
onto footpath number 43 which descends along a zigzag path into Val Sapin passing en route
mountain huts at the locality of Freydevaz. At the village of Chapy follow the unmade road
to the hamlet of La Trappa, continue downhill for another 2 kilometres and cross over the bridge.
200 metres after this the path leads back up to Ermitage.
Walking time: about 3 hrs 30 mins
Lake Licony (2554m)
There are two footpaths to the lake from La Suche, 43a and 44. We recommend the latter as it is less
steep and suitable for all walkers. Walk in the direction of Tirecorne for a few minutes. At the fork,
sign posted with yellow paint, take the left path which leads up hill through the woods for 20 or so
minutes.
Continue out of the woods until coming to another fork with directions sign posted on a rock.
From here the path gradually climbs diagonally up the side of the mountain. For the last 30 minutes
the path to reach the col is steeper and more challenging. At the Licony Col 2670m, take take time
to enjoy the splendid view over the Mont Blanc range on one side and the view over the lake, 100m below
on the other. It takes another 10-15 minutes to walk down to the lake.
From the lake the path continues down to the village of Licony and follows on to the hamlet of Planaval
above La Salle, there is also another route which goes to Morgex.
Walking time: about 2 hrs 45 mins
Luigi Pascal Mountain Hut (2916 mt.)
Follow the same directions as for Lake Licony until reaching the Col. From here take the path which
bears to the left passing across grass and then stoney ground. This leads towards the Licony Peak.
The mountain hut is situated a few meters below the summit in a panoramic position. The mountain hut
is not manned.
Walking time: about 45 mins from the Licony Col.
Col Sapin (2435 mt.)
Depart from behind the refuge and follow foot path number 43a through the woods. After about an hour
of walking up and down the path divides to go down to Val Sapin, here follow the path that goes straight
on, and after a short distance continue past the footpath that leads up to the Licony Col.
Shortly afterwards are the Curru mountain huts (1960m), during the second world war coal was mined here.
Just after the buildings are two of the original pylons that were used to transport the coal down the valley.
Continue another few hundred metres to where the path begins to climb up the sunny hillside to the top of Col Sapin.
Walking time: about 2 hrs 30mins.
Bertone Refuge (1989 mt.)
From the top of Col Sapin bear left in the direction of Tete de la Tronche (2585 mt.). A few minutes up hill
takes you to the highest point of the itinerary.
The footpath gradually descends passing the foot of Tete Bernarde, continue across the gentle crags of Mont de
la Saxe until reaching the welcoming Bertone Refuge.
Walking time: about 4 hrs 15mins.
Bonatti Refuge (2150 mt.)
From the top of Col Sapin walk in the direction of Val Arminaz. Once at the abandoned grazing huts (Sécheron),
there is a choice of routes:
- he first, which is less tiring, involves following the footpath that leads down the entire Arminaz valley to join up with the Tour du Mont Blanc route (sign posted TMB). Continue along this path to reach the refuge.
- The second route departs from Sécheron, here follow footpath number 42, which climbs up the mountain to
reach the Entre Deux Seaux pass. The walk up to the pass takes around 30 minutes and offers a wonderful
view over the wide Malatra valley which shouldn’t be missed.
Descend down the valley to the Bonatti refuge which is situated south of the Gioé Damon grazing huts.
Walking time: 4 hrs 15mins via Val Arminaz and 4hrs 45mins via Malatra.
Mont Cormet (2476 mt.)
The first part of this walk is the same as the one for the Licony col. Walk in the direction of Tirecorne for
a few minutes. At the fork, sign posted with yellow paint, take the left path which leads up hill through the woods
for 20 or so minutes. Continue out of the woods to the open ground favoured by Chamois, until coming to another fork
with directions sign posted on a rock. Here turn to the right and proceed along a path that is, at times, difficult
to find. After around 200 metres the ground flattens and a small footpath leads up the grassy slope in front.
The last part of the climb passes by avalanche barriers and the peak of Mont Cormet is to the right. The views
include the Rutor and Gran Paradiso mountains. As the last part of this hike is over loose stony ground the walk
is recommended only for those with experience.
Walking time: 2 hrs 30mins.
Battaglione Aosta Col.(2882 mt.)
This is a favourite walk, for the austerity of the surroundings, the memory of the soldiers who made the
footpath which was used by men and donkeys.
Departing from the refuge follow the same route for the Bonatti refuge as far as the abandoned houses at
Secheron in the Arminaz valley. Here begin walking up towards the Entre Deux Seaux pass and after two turns
take the right hand path, number 29, in the direction of a waterfall. This part of the walk, leading to a
small plain and a little lake at 2500 metres, is quite exposed. At the plain turn left straight away and
zigzag up the grassy slope.
From here the footpath is over loose, stony ground or snow, depending on the time of year, but it is always
evident. The last 15 minutes of the hike are over a rock face which in places is exposed, however the path
is always at least 80cms wide. At the Col there is a boundary stone dedicated to the Aosta battalion.
From the Col one can either descend down the same route until reaching Secheron, following footpath number 29
down to the Varminaz valley and Pra Sec in Val Ferret, or it is possible to go in the opposite direction and
descend down the steep Combe de Chambave mountainside to reach Planaval or Cheverel in the locality of La Salle.
For those training for a marathon it is also possible to continue down to Morgex!
This hike is suitable for experts only.
Walking time: 4h45
Note: All walking times are calculated from La Suche, if you depart from Eremitage add on 50 minutes.