In snowshoes up to Dondena Refuge
Resorts: Champorcher
Beautiful hike in the upper Valle di Champorcher. A route without difficult inclinations but rather long, only to be taken in excellent weather conditions since the route crosses sections subject to avalanches.
Technical information
How to get here
Pont-Saint-Martin highway exit. Turn left on state road 26. After about 5 km, turn left for Hône.
Climb the Valle di Champorcher to the town and turn right for Mont Blanc: continue for several kilometers to the end near Mont Blanc.
Description of the route
From the parking lot, continue along the road for a couple hundred meters to the curve on the right: from here, the road is usually snow-covered and you can start the excursion.
Cross the first segment heading towards the valley floor and then turn 180° to the left entering the Ayasse valley. The route follows the farm road that leads to Dondena in the summer. After walking for several minutes you’ll reach the starting point for the Barbustel Refuge path: ignore the fork on the right for the refuge and continue along the slope under the spurs of Mont Ros and Bec Barmasse. After crossing a few avalanche channels, pay careful attention in unstable snow conditions, continue the slight ascent West until you reach the fork for Lake Raty. Continue along the main slope that soon veers to the right providing a beautiful view of the impressive Bec Raty rock face. The valley slowly opens to view: on the left, the snow-covered Cimetta Rossa cupcake appears and, just under our path, the village of Champlong. After the Tuerie pasture the slope extends, slightly ascending, to the start of the summer path for Lake Miserin: here you’ll find a series of signposts indicating various paths that you can take and a great map of the area. Both Dondena and the refuge located slightly above are well visible from here.
Drop a couple of meters until you pass the Ayasse stream and then ascend, crossing the Alpine hotel ruins to the Dondena Refuge (2193 m).