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Valle di Gressoney

Fontainemore

Lillianes

Gaby

Section of Alta Via 1

La Sassaz-Niel

By: Gressoney Monterosa

Route category: Trekking

Length: 31200 m

Difficulty: High

Mont Mars

Walking among the Giants, Haute Route 1

Aosta Valley's Haute Route 1 is a high-altitude trek that begins in the municipality of Donnas and has Courmayeur as its final destination, divided into 17 daily stages. It allows in particular to admire the highest peaks in Europe: Monte Rosa, the Cervino and Mont Blanc. It is for this reason that this route is also called the "high route of the giants." 

In this multi-day itinerary, we propose a section divided into 3 stages of this extraordinary route, starting from La Sassaz, a locality in the municipality of Lillianes, passing through the Mont Mars nature reserve and its lakes, to reach Niel, a Walser settlement in the municipality of Gaby.  

Details of the tour

Properties

Typology: Trekking

Difficulty: High

Distance: 31200 m

Best time of the year

June, July, August, September

Features

Nature interest On several days

Where

Start point
La Sassaz

Get me there

Destination
Niel

Step 1: Sassaz-Rifugio Coda

Starting from the locality Sassaz Dessous, in Lillianes, the trail follows the Giassit river until it reaches the locality Revers, here, we recommend a small detour to see the "Gold Mine" and the characteristic stone bridge. 

When you reach the dirt road, follow it to the first hairpin bend in which the path that climbs to Col Giassit through the basin of the same name begins. Reaching the pass there is a massive wooden cross erected by valley dwellers in 1954, from here the trail skirts the Béchéra basin and arrives at the Colle della Lace. 
The trail proceeds to the left skirting Mont Roux on the Biellese side, in an up and down of small valleys, touching the summit of Mont Bechit (2320 m), until it reaches the Colle dei Carisey, from where it continues on the grassy ridge until it reaches near the Coda Refuge.

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Colle Carisey

Step 2: Rifugio Coda-Rifugio Barma

Leaving from the Coda Refuge, the destination of this second stage is the Barma Refuge, in the heart of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. 

We go around the Punta Sella on the right slope and from the pass of the same name begin the steep descent through the vegetation to the Serrafredda Alp. When you reach a fork in the middle of the pastures, take the right, climbing over a wooded ridge that leads to the Goillas Alp. From here, having crossed the stream, follow the dirt track for half a kilometer to the Leretta alpine pasture and then pick up again on a trail in the meadows above the track; now begins a long up and down that, among woods and clearings, leads to the Crêt Damon and Lion pastures. The trail continues left into the pasture and enters the steep woods that descend to Lake Vargno. Passed upstream of a dam, after a steep climb and a short flat section on a track, it starts climbing again on the right along a beautiful track, the same one used for the procession to the Sanctuary of Oropa and the main access path to the Monte Mars Nature Reserve.
The route continues, reaching Lac Long and, after the last steep climb up the rocky hump, the basin of the Barma Lakes.
From here proceeding straight ahead, ignoring the fork on the left indicating the continuation of the Alta Via, you reach the Rifugio della Barma, the goal of the second day.

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Lago Barma

Step 3: Rifugio Barma- La Gruba

From the Barma refuge, retrace the trail that runs along the lake and take a right at the fork, continuing along the path until it crosses the dirt road.

A few tens of meters later you take the trail again, which, after passing two minor passes, leads to the Pierre Blanche alpine pastures. From there, climb toward the Marmontana Pass, entering the wild Tourison valley, where the trail descends steeply in hairpin bends to the plain of Lago Chiaro.
Past the lake, at a sluice, follow the main trail downstream to the Mianda alpine pasture, where you turn right to climb again toward the characteristic rocky gap called Crenna dou Leui. 

Beyond the steep ridge you descend in altitude, alternating ups and downs between scree and small lakes, and after a long traverse you gain altitude again to reach the Colle della Vecchia.
A pyramid in the center of the trail indicates the possibility of reaching, in Piedmontese territory, the Rifugio della Vecchia, or continuing the itinerary in the direction of Niel.
After a section dug into the rock, keep right at a fork in the trail and continue at high altitude until you reach the ridge and then enter the vegetation of the shady slope leading to the alpine pasture of Grignatz desor.
Keep to the right again and, crossing a stream, climb an iron ladder, proceeding to the houses of Kocia.
The path leads into a dense coniferous forest, crosses a wooden bridge and, after a last ramp, a humpback bridge leading to the Walser settlement of Niel, here you will find La Gruba Relais, the final destination of the itinerary.

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Mont Mars

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Fort of Bard

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Forte di Bard

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Fortress of Bard

The most impressive military construction in the Aosta Valley
Gaby

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Gaby

Altitude: 1047 m

Casa Capriata

14.29km

Valle di Gressoney

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Casa Capriata-Carlo Mollino Hut

Italian architecture of the second half of the 20th century
Baby snowpark Weissmatten

15.81km

Valle di Gressoney

Kids

Baby Snow Park

An area for the little ones

Località Welde, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Castel Savoia Inverno

16.03km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Savoy Castle

Queen Margherita's residence overlooking Monte Rosa

località Belvedere, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Piscina - vasca da 25 metri

16.19km

Valle di Gressoney

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Gressoney Sport Haus

A multifunctional structure for sports

Localita' Tschoarde, 1, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Gressoney Saint Jean Inverno

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Valle di Gressoney

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Gressoney Saint Jean

Altitude: 1385 m

Villa Margherita 1, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Lago Gover con vista Monte Rosa

17.64km

Valle di Gressoney

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Lago Gover

An oasis of peace in the center of the village

Altitude: 1379 m

ecomuseo

23.00km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Walser Ecomuseum

A Journey to Discover the Traditions and Habits of Walser Culture

Altitude: 1635 m

Piazza Tache , 11020 Gressoney La Trinité AO

Gressoney La Trinité

23.02km

Valle di Gressoney

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Gressoney La Trinité

Altitude: 1635 m

Snowpark Castore

25.92km

Valle di Gressoney

Ski

Snowpark Castore

Altitude: 2319 m

Località Gabiet, Gressoney-La-Trinitè AO

PUNTA INDREN

29.82km

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Valle di Gressoney

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PUNTA INDREN

Altitude: 3275 m

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market and Santa Claus

23.01km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market and Santa Claus

30 November

Nati per leggere - Letture in biblioteca

17.85km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Nati per leggere - Letture in biblioteca

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market

23.01km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market

28 December

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market

23.01km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

Wiehnacht Märt - Christmas market

28 December

New Year's Eve Party

17.71km

Valle di Gressoney

Culture

New Year's Eve Party

31 December

HELI-SKIING DAY WITH MONTEROSA EXPERIENCE

17.76km

Valle di Gressoney

Adrenaline

Heliskiing with Monterosa Experience-Day

From €360.00

Tour Monte Rosa Monterosa Experience

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Valle di Gressoney

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Monte Rosa Tour–Monterosa Experience

One of the best Heliskiing tours in Europe

Obre Platz , 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

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Ice climbing Monterosa Experience

17.79km

Valle di Gressoney

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Ice climbing Monterosa Experience

Obreplatz, 8 , 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

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Castore & Polluce Wine Bar and Restaurant

23.03km

Valle di Gressoney

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Wine Tasting Gressoney- Castore & Polluce

Piazza Tache, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

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JUNIOR FUN SNOW SEASON COURSE – WINTER 2018

23.97km

Valle di Gressoney

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JUNIOR SNOW FUN

Gressoney Monterosa Ski School

Duration: 140 hours

From €1400.00

Happy Ski Monterosa Gressoney

26.48km

Valle di Gressoney

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Happy Ski Gressoney Monterosa

Località Staffal , 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Freeride MonterosaExtreme

502.82km

Valle di Gressoney

Adrenaline

Monterosa Experience Freeride - Day

From €340.00

Ski Alp

502.82km

Valle di Gressoney

Adrenaline

Ski Touring Monterosa Experience-half day

From €200.00

David 3 Sport

15.75km

Valle di Gressoney

Active

David 3 Sport

Sports equipment, ski and bobsleigh rental

Loc. Bielciucken 24, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Paysage à Manger

16.81km

Valle di Gressoney

In town

Paysage à Manger

Strada Castello Savoia, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

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16.90km

Valle di Gressoney

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Bergland

Mountain Bike, E-bike rental and sporting goods sales

Località Valdobbia 10, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Capsule & Grani Store

17.64km

Valle di Gressoney

Food

Capsule & Grani Store

Piazza Umberto I 9, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Caffitaly

17.65km

Valle di Gressoney

In town

Caffitaly

Piazza Umberto I°, 9, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Slalom

17.72km

Valle di Gressoney

Active

Slalom

Piazza Obre Platz, 1, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

zflo

17.74km

Valle di Gressoney

In town

Z'Flo

Obre Platz, 5, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Monique

17.75km

Valle di Gressoney

In town

Monique

Via Monterosa Waeg, 6, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Bazar Thedy

23.04km

Valle di Gressoney

In town

Bazar Thedy

Via Tache, 16/a, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

Cisko Ski

23.26km

Valle di Gressoney

Active

Cisco Ski

Sportswear, ski and bike rental

Loc. Edelboden Superiore n. 1 , 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

ERMANNO SPORT

26.52km

Valle di Gressoney

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Ermanno Sport

At the foot of Monte Rosa, where the adventure begins

Località Staffal 15, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

AMBARADANSPITZ

26.70km

Valle di Gressoney

Active

Ambaradanspitz

Rental of outdoor articles and clothing

Loc. Tschaval 5, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

Restaurant La Gruba

11.16km

TOP

Valle di Gressoney

Restaurant La Gruba

A culinary experience in the midst of nature

Località Niel 8, 11020 Gaby AO

BAR LORELEI

15.48km

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Valle di Gressoney

Bar Gelateria Lorelei

Bosmatto 1, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

BISTRÒ ALPENROSE

15.69km

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Valle di Gressoney

Bistrò Alpenrose

Loc. Bieltschòcke 25 , 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Ristorante Mont Nery

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Mont Nery Restaurant

At the Villa Fridau Residence

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RISTORANTE GRAN BAITA

16.64km

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Gran Baita Restaurant

Strada Castel Savoia, 26, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

RISTORANTE IL BRACIERE

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Valle di Gressoney

Il Braciere Restaurant

Ondro Verdebio 2, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Monte Rosa Restaurant

17.42km

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Valle di Gressoney

Monte Rosa Restaurant

Restaurant at the gressoney hotel

Lys Waeg 3, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

RISTORANTE PIZZERIA LO STAMBECCO

17.53km

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Valle di Gressoney

Ristorante Pizzeria Lo Stambecco

Rue Deffeyes 14, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Birreria Ristorante Bierfall

17.64km

Valle di Gressoney

Bierfall Brewery and Restaurant

Piazza Umberto I 7, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

BIERFALL

17.64km

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Valle di Gressoney

Bierfall

P.zza Umberto I n 7 , 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

La Vibrazione

17.68km

Valle di Gressoney

La Vibrazione

Piazza Umberto I n.1, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Gressoney Saint Jean

17.70km

Valle di Gressoney

Bar and Restaurant in Gressoney Saint Jean

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Gran Bar Follis

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Valle di Gressoney

Gran Bar Follis

Zem See 3, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Ristorante Buca 13

18.36km

Valle di Gressoney

Ristorante Buca 13

The Gressoney Golf Club restaurant

Località Bino, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Ristorante Lo Scoiattolo

22.96km

TOP

Valle di Gressoney

Ristorante Lo Scoiattolo

Località Tache 6 , 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

CASTORE LOUNGE BAR & RESTAURANT

23.03km

TOP

Valle di Gressoney

Castore & Polluce - Lounge Bar & Wine Restaurant

The meeting place for new mountain people

Località Tache 17B , 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

Castore & Polluce

23.03km

Valle di Gressoney

Castore & Polluce - Lounge Bar & Wine Restaurant

Località Tache, 17/D, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

RISTORANTE WONGADE

23.09km

TOP

Valle di Gressoney

Wongade Restaurant

Edelboden Inferiore 14, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Gressoney La Trinité

23.41km

Valle di Gressoney

Bar and Restaurant in Gressoney La Trinité

List
Ristorante Dufour

23.46km

TOP

Valle di Gressoney

Dufour Restaurant

Località Edelboden Superiore, n. 34, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinité AO

Villa Giuditta

10.27km

Valle di Gressoney

Villa Giuditta

Loc. Palatz 8, 11020 Gaby AO

Book now

La Gruba Relais

11.15km

Valle di Gressoney

Doirtoir La Gruba

Località Gruba , 8, 11020 Gaby AO

Hotel Alpenrose

15.69km

Valle di Gressoney

Albergo Alpenrose

Località Bieltschòcke, 25, 11025 --Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

Residence VILLA FRIDAU

16.17km

Valle di Gressoney

Residence Villa Fridau

Località Fridau 1, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

RESIDENCE DELAPIERRE

16.50km

Valle di Gressoney

Residence Delapierre

Strada Castel Savoia 31, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Book now

CAMPING MARGHERITA RESORT

16.51km

Valle di Gressoney

Camping Margherita Resort

Loc. Scnacke, 15 , 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Book now

Hotel Gran Baita

16.65km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Gran Baita

Strada Castello Savoia, 26, 11025 Gressoney-Saint-Jean AO

Hotel Gran Baita

16.65km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Gran Baita

Strada Castello Savoia, 26, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

Hotel Lyshaus

16.72km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Lyshaus

Loc Tschoarde 1 , 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

residence ruetoreif

16.87km

Valle di Gressoney

Residence Ruetoreif

Gressmatto Waeg, 10 , 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

Hotel Gressoney

17.41km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Gressoney

Lyswaeg 3, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

Bluemental

17.59km

Valle di Gressoney

Residence Blumental

Via Deffeyes 1, 11025 --Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

DRESALWOALD – CHAMBRES D’HÔTES

18.46km

Valle di Gressoney

Drésalwoald – Chambres D’Hôtes

Loc. Drésal 3, 11025 Gressoney Saint Jean AO

Book now

RESIDENCE OBERTEIL

22.90km

Valle di Gressoney

Residence Oberteil

Loc. Tache 7, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Book now

Hotel Lo Scoiattolo Gressoney

22.96km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Lo Scoiattolo

Loc. Tache, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Book now

CHAMBRES D' HÔTES WONGADE

23.10km

Valle di Gressoney

Wongade – Chambres d’hôtes

Loc. Edelboden Inferiore 14, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

doufour

23.45km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Dufour

Loc. Edelboden Superiore 34, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Book now

Romantic Hotel Jolanda Sport

23.51km

Valle di Gressoney

Romantic Hotel Jolanda Sport

Loc. Edelboden Superiore, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Book now

HOTEL GASTHAUS LYSJOCH

24.54km

Valle di Gressoney

HOTEL GASTHAUS LYSJOCH

Loc. FOHRE, 4, GRESSONEY-LA-TRINITE AO

Book now

lyschoc

24.55km

Valle di Gressoney

Hotel Lysjoch

Loc. Fohre 4, 11020 Gressoney-La-Trinite' AO

Book now

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