Sport Itineraries: Champoluc/Ayas/Antagnod

Two fantastic parallel waterfalls are found upstream from the Alpe Cortoz (Cortoz Alp), which have now become the reference site for the first outings of the season. The relatively high altitude and shaded exposure facilitates its taking form quite early; furthermore, the absence of snow allows safe condition to traverse. The site is to be avoided if the snow pack is unstable.
The solution to the right consists of three major jumps interspersed with short connecting sections. Easily combinable with the left parallel (Sbregoretex).

Level: IV/4
Length: 180 m
First ascent: A. Jaccod, R. Nicco 1984
Altitude: 2180 m
Exposure: East
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,70444 Lat.: 45,873801 - UTM (ED50) - X: 399536,45 Y: 5081040,79

You can usually climb it in four pitches, with belays on rock (fix) on the right bank.

Descent: abseiling with fixes on the right bank.

Text and photos taken from Effimeri barbagli (M. Giglio, 2014), the complete guide to ice climbs in Aosta Valley.

The Pinter waterfalls (Right and Left), together with the Cascate dell’Alpe Cortoz, means you will be sure to find ice in Val d’Ayas. Altitude and exposure guarantee the enduring formations during the season. If there is snow, you can access it from above on skis with the possibility of making some great descents (although short), almost always on fresh snow up to the Crest. Between the two solutions, the one on the right is definitely more interesting and, after the first jump, it offers many climbing possibilities.
Three illustrious names made the first ascent: the indisputable protagonists of the “Nuovo Mattino”... (New Morning) ... who did not mind even ice waterfalls, every now and then.

Level: III/3
Length: 120 m
First ascent: M. Bernardi, A. Gogna, A.L. Rochat 1981
Altitude: 2450 m
Exposure: West
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,77555 Lat.: 45,817767 - UTM (ED50) - X: 404959,89 Y: 5074728,09

L1: initially vertical pillar, gradually inclining up to a large basin at the base of the higher jump. Belay on rock to the right (fix).
Transfer to the base of the wall, which can be tackled at several points.
L2: different possibilities. The easiest solution can be found on the far right — a large, very sloping gully. At the centre and on the left, there are two ridge sequences, interspersed with an easier connecting stretch. For all the variations, you should make a long pitch up to the end of the ice, where there is a belay. Belay on rock at the end of the centre solution (fix).
L3: easy to leave the difficulties, which are generally snow and some easy mixed trails up to the summit plateau; no belay in place (dead man anchor or efficient shoulder belay).

Descent: from the end of the difficulty, climb a few metres more and then take the snowy channel that runs alongside the waterfall on the left bank. On foot, you will quickly return to the base. If the said channel has a heavy and dangerous snow load, you can descend the waterfall with two abseils.

Text and photos taken from Effimeri barbagli (M. Giglio, 2014), the complete guide to ice climbs in Aosta Valley.

Go by car as far as the car-park in the small hamlet of Barmasc in the municipality of Ayas. From here you take the inter-valley trail no. 105, which starts as an unmade road and soon becomes a footpath which climbs up to Col Portola. Then you go left along the same trail and climb the peak of Mount Zerbion where you can enjoy breath-taking views of the central valley.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, in the municipality of Ayas, continue towards Blanchard and Armaz. Cross the bridge over the Veraz and take trail 7 towards Fièry. From here, continue on the left of the hamlet and take route 6 for a few dozen metres, then leave it on the right, to take route 6C which leads to the hamlets of Vasé and Cucaz, then to Céré and lastly to the Città di Mariano bivouac.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, in the municipality of Ayas, continue towards Blanchard and Armaz. Cross the bridge over the Verraz stream and take trail 6 towards Fiéry. From here, continue to the left along the same trail and walk all the way along the valley of the Cime Bianche as far the Col with the same name. Along the route you can enjoy the view of some mountain peaks such as the Grand Tournalin, Monte Roisetta and the Rocca di Verraz. Before the last part of the climb up to the pass you can see see the Gran Lago at an altidude of 2805m with the Ventina glacier. From the pass there are splendid views of the last part of the Valtournenche, the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa chain.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, in the municipality of Ayas, continue towards Blanchard and Armaz. Cross the bridge over the Veraz torrent and take trail 7 towards Fièry. From here you go to the right of the hamlet towards Plan di Veraz Inferiore where you leave the private road and continue on along the trail to the left (still no. 7) and you soon reach the banks of the Lago Blu.

Panorama: Verra glacier, Rocca di Verra, Palon di Resy

From the square in Saint-Jacques, in the municipality of Ayas, continue towards Blanchard and Armaz. Cross the bridge over the Verraz stream and take trail 8 towards Fiery. From here go to the right of the hamlet towards Plan di Verraz and Lago Blu along the same trail. Once you reach the Plan di Verraz Superiore near the Alpine pastures with the same name, the footpath climbs up to the Colle della Bettolina (2646 m a.s.l.). From here you follow the ridge to the left (equipped trail no. 8) and then reach the Quintino Sella refuge.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, in the municipality of Ayas, continue towards Blanchard and Armaz. Cross the bridge over the Veraz and take trail 7 towards Fièry. From here you go to the right of the hamlet towards Plan di Veraz Inferiore and Lago Blu along the same trail. Then the trails climbs to the right and once you are past the stream and the glacial morain, you come to a junction where you turn left and climb up as far as the Mezzalama Refuge.

From the Church of Champoluc follow the path n. 3 and continue along the mule track to Champlan and Palouettaz. After Mandriou, which lies 1 km from Antagnod, take route 3 which goes up towards Alpe Vascotchaz. From here, after a few metres on the dirt road for Plan Pera, take again route n.3 on the right, leading to Col de Vascotchaz. Continuing the trail towards Col de Nana, just before the pass, you come to a crossroad with route AV1 from Saint-Jacques. Take this route on the left. When you get to the Col de Nana, take route 3C on the right and continue towards Becca Trécare.

Excursion itinerary as far as Col de Nana, and recommended for expert hikers from Col de Nana to Becca Trécare.

From the Church of Champoluc follow the path n. 3 and go on along the mule track to Tourtaz and Mandriou. After Mandriou, which lies 1 km from Antagnod, take route 3 which goes up towards Alpe Vascotchaz. From here, go along the dirt road to Alpe Plan Pera and take route 3A on the left towards Bec de Nana.

On the 14 August, a traditional Holy Mass is held in the morning on the peak, organised by the Alpini Corps.

At Champoluc, take route 13, which leads to the village of Crest. Alternatively, you can reach the village by telecabin. From here, take the AV1 up to the Pinter valley until you reach the pass of the same name. Admire the lakes of Pinter as you go up this final section. Leave the AV1 which goes down towards Alpenzu and take route 11A on the left, which leads first to the Lateltin bivouac and then to the summit of Testa Grigia.

Tourist excursion itinerary as far as col Pinter. Itinerary for expert hikers from the col to the bivouac and to the summit of Testa Grigia.

ANIMALS you might meet: chamois, marmots, hares, eagles

PANORAMA: The municipality of Ayas, Val de Gressoney, the Mount Rosa range

The Pian Villy wood is located not far from the village of Champoluc, near the parking of MonterosaSpa.
It is a forest almost completely composed of spruce trees while the undergrowth is made up of juniper, heather, barberis and blueberry.
Inside the wood there is an area equipped for picnics and an illuminated pedestrian path, which can also be used in winter (beaten snow).
The pedestrian path that runs alongside the Evançon stream begins next to the Ayas Alpine Guides Office. Continue until you reach the MonterosaSpa car park.
From here, leaving the spa building on the left, you pass under a wooden arch on which the inscription Area Pian di Villy is indicated and follow the path to Le Frachey.

Along the way you can admire many wooden statues carved by famous Aosta Valley artists. New sculptures are created every year during the Ayas Artisanat event, that is dedicated to typical Aosta Valley craftsmanship during which the artists create their works.

In winter you can also walk on this path because the track is groomed.

In Barmasc, about 1 km from Antagnod, take the wide route 105 which goes off from the edge of the car park, and follow it until it crosses the Ru Courtod (or Courtaud) at an altitude of about 1970 m. Follow the flat trail on the right (no, 5), which runs alongside the canal, and go past the pastures of Chavannes and then Granaz. At Alpe Soudaz, after going over the road that leads up the pastures of Vascoccia, continue on the path below the “La Tschavana” holiday farmhouse, until you come to the crossroad with route 3. Take this route on the right and go down to the hamlet of Mandriou.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, a hamlet of the municipality of Ayas, go past the church, then continue to the end of the residential area and take route 9 for the hamlet of Resy and for the Ferraro refuge. From here, continue first along the private road to the pasture of Forcaz Superiore, and then on the path, which runs below the ascending chair-lift, up to Col Bettaforca, from where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the valleys of Ayas and Gressoney.

From the square in Saint-Jacques, a hamlet in the municipality of Ayas, follow directions along Alta Via 1 for Grand Tournalin refuge. Once there, take itinerary 4 on the right, and leave the AV1, which continues towards Col Nanaz. The itinerary goes through alpine meadows and stone ground, and provides panoramic views of Cime Bianche, the valley of Nanaz, and the Mount Rosa range.

Tourist excursion itinerary as far as the Grand Tournalin refuge, then recommended for expert hikers only from Grand Tournalin refuge to the summit.

Day one
From Saint-Jacques you will come to the village of Blanchard, that you can find at the convergence of the rivers Verra and Courtod, where the Evançon was founded: the path that heads up through the Verra valley starts beyond the bridge. You will then come to the village of Fiery, where the path splits; head to the right and carry on until you come out on the vast lower Pian de Verra (2050m)
Follow the trail of the unsurfaced road that has to be followed until the lowest extremity of the Upper Pian di Verra. Before the pasture head to the left and you will come to a pathway that heads up a steep grassy slope; cross a plateau and this will take you to the edge of the moraine. Following this will take you to the Mezzalama Refuge. From here, carry on to the left around the overhanging rocky crag and getting onto the glacier, passing by the point with the fewest seracs. Carry on through the icy basin moving to the right and heading towards the rocky rib that leads to the Lambronecca Refuge.

Day two
From the Refuge you will come to the valley of the Verra Glacier and head east pointing towards the Castor. Without reaching the Verra Pass, turn left and, gaining some height, you will reach the base of the south-eastern ridge of the Polluce. Overcome the first easy rocks, often covered in snow, that takes you to a projection. This should be avoided on the left; you will then find a chain that helps you overcome some smooth faces. Again with the aid of the chain, carry on along the path that provides access to a saddle. From here, carry on along a small rock face on the left (this is also equipped with a chain) that leads to the shoulder at 3991 m high, to lastly follow the characteristic snowy ridge that leads to the summit.

Descent: down the upward itinerary.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Day one
From Saint-Jacques you will come to the village of Blanchard, that you can find at the convergence of the rivers Verra and Courtod, where the Evançon was founded: the path that heads up through the Verra valley starts beyond the bridge. You will then come to the village of Fiery, where the path splits; head to the right and carry on until you come out on the vast lower Pian de Verra (2050m)
Follow the trail of the dirt road that has to be followed until the lowest extremity of the Upper Pian di Verra. Before the pasture head to the left and you will come to a pathway that heads up a steep grassy slope; cross a plateau and this will take you to the edge of the moraine. Following this will take you to the Mezzalama Refuge. From here, carry on to the left around the overhanging rocky crag and getting onto the glacier, passing by the point with the fewest seracs. Carry on through the icy basin moving to the right and heading towards the rocky rib that leads to the Lambronecca Refuge.

Day two
From the Refuge you will come to the valley of the Verra Glacier and head east pointing towards the Castor. Before the Pollux ridge, turn to the left and cross almost horizontally towards Porta Nera. On the left of the rise you’ll see the Rossi-Volante camp that you can reach by climbing the snow-covered slope in front of it. Beyond the camp, climb the small rocky rise from which the final slope starts (snow and easy rocks) that leads to the summit ridge. A short shift to the right leads you to the top.

Descent: down the ascent route.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Take the paved road from the parking lot to Blanchard: cross the bridge over the Evançon stream and put on your snow shoes.
Climb the summer path to Piani di Verra, quickly entering the larch woods. Follow the series of curves upward to the fork for the small village of Fiéry: turn left for a small visit and then back-track continuing to the right to enter the plain where there are some buildings. Walk around the buildings and cross the bends in the woods, exiting at the edge of the lower Pian di Verra.
Cross the small bridge over the Verra stream as soon as you enter the Verra plain. After crossing the stream, keep to the left side of the valley. Cross the descending slope until you find the sign that indicates the fork for the Ferraro Refuge. Turn left and start to climb the woods crossing the Palon de Résy peaks. After a short climb, exit the woods and head East towards the village of Resy where you will find the Ferraro Refuge (2066 m).
From the refuge, take the summer path that leads to Saint-Jacques: the descent is rather steep and leads around some isolated houses to the starting point.

The route starts by crossing the village of Mandriou following path no. 3. After a few minutes you meet a snowy path which leads to a house a little further on. Ignore the track on the right and climb upwards through the beautiful Bois de Vachère with its larch trees. You come out of the wood into a lovely clearing at he foot of the La Tschavana agriturismo: you go across it until you reach Ru Cortod. From here you climb the gradual slope following the fencing that leads you to the right of the group of houses. You then continue on through another stretch of larch trees which soon disappear giving way to the steep slopes that descend from Mont Facebelle. The next part is a little more arduous but undoubtedly worth the effort with the stunningly beautiful views over Mont Zerbion and the particular mountainslope which separates Val d’Ayas from Valtournenche. You gradually make your way to the foot of Vascotchaz: here you catch a glimpse of the white Sarteur Chapel with its metal cross. You cover the last, short, uphill stretch on unbeaten tracks until you finally reach the Alpine pasture of Vascotchaz. You now continue a fairly steep climb up the mountainside, by trying to perform a number of turns which do not reduce the steepness too much. You bear to the right and once past a rather steep section of the slope, you go across a last sideways section to the left until you reach the ridge: you follow the ridge until you come to the peak where you can enjoy a beautiful view over the whole Monte Rosa massif.

The excursion starts from the Town Hall of Ayas, just above the parish church of Antagnod. The trail number of the path is 105, which climbs among the conifers until reaching the small hamlet of Barmasc, which welcomes hikers with one of the now famous colorful  "Big Benches".

The excursion starts from the Amponey locality, just before the village of Champoluc, near a large meadow which in winter is a cross-country skiing track. The trail number of the path is 14B, which gradually climbs into the woods for about 150 meters until it crosses path no. 14, which comes from Champoluc and which with a steeper slope leads, for the last 100 metres of altitude gap, to Mascognaz, an enchanting totally renovated village with typical Walser architecture buildings.

From the village of Crest (1,979 m) follow the road on the right of the valley to the town of Cuneaz. Continue in this direction to the bridge followed by the village of Plan Long (2,176 m).
Keep to the right of the impressive rocky ramparts overhead and then continue along the valley to lake Perrin. Turn East and climb the valley to the characteristic hill. Turn back to the left and, removing your skis, climb the ridge that leads to the top of Gran Cima.
If there’s not a lot of snow, you can get to the same point by following the valley floor along the stream.

Climb West to the Souda mountain pastures, 1,970 m, and then turn North-West.
Hug the ski slopes for a while until you reach the Vascoccia pastures, 2,254 m, on the road. The peak is just a few minutes after the Vascoccia rise.
You can directly descend to the valley without crossing the hills.