How to get here

Aosta Ovest highway exit. Turn right at the exit and follow SR 47 to Cogne. From the town, continue to Valnontey until you reach the large parking lot.

Description of the route

From the parking lot, briefly climb the road to the bridge that crosses the Valnontey stream: continue until you reach the Hotel “Lou Tsantelet” and signposts indicating the routes along the Alta Via N. 2. Take the easy path the quickly leads to the “Paradisia” Alpine Garden entrance. Walk along the south-east side of the Garden and enter the larch wood. Slowly climb, following the long mule track spirals, enjoying the views of Valnontey below. You’ll reach a fork after walking for about 1 hour: ignore the right fork and continue straight until you reach a beautiful stone bridge over the Grand-Lauson stream. Climb the right-hand side of the valley, still among the trees, until you exit the larch woods. Continue the rather intense climb to the Pascieux houses. Continue along the shoulder to the Grand Lauson mountain pastures and, keeping to the right of the watershed, cross the stream to the characteristic plain where the Vittorio Sella Refuge is located.