Sport Itineraries: Rhêmes-Notre-Dame

Although low, it is a beautiful and breathtaking waterfall, to the right of the Cascata dell’Entrelor and clearly visible from the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. It does not have any objective dangers, yet unfortunately it does not form every year, as happened, for example, from 2005 to 2011. It is definitely a classic in the area and very crowded! Numerous climbing routes are available (right, centre and left): the following describes the one on the right which is the one most used.
The chance to climb in just a great single pitch from the base to the top (60-metre ropes) is surely noteworthy, remaining always on the left side (facing upwards).

Level: II/5
Length: 80 m
First ascent: A. Cambiolo, A. Casalegno, E. Marlier, S. Mazza 1988
Altitude: 1700 m
Exposure: North West
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,12058 Lat.: 45,557601 - UTM (ED50) - X: 353399,51 Y: 5046812,17

L1: series of rounded bulges of rock usually of a petal and cauliflower texture up to the free-standing base. Belay on ice (no material in place, the rock in the ravine is of very poor quality).
L2: two short free-standings interspersed by a small shelf that imposes a short overhanging pass. Belay on the tree at the end of the difficulties.

Descent: walking on the left bank or abseiling from a tree with ropes and maillon on the edge of a rocky jump (right bank), in the latter case, you need two 60 metre ropes.

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

100 mt before the Brenand hamlet take the off-road track (signpost n.6) that crosses the Dora stream and leads to the left bank.
The track continues across meadows and pastures and reaches Le Carré hamlet where you can find the equipped pic-nic area where you can take a pause under larches, spurces and arolla pines and rest at the wooden tables, benches and take advantage of fountains, barbecues and toilets.
The itinerary continues until Chanavey hamlet where you can find the Visitors Centre of Gran Paradiso National Park.
Around Brenand, in Artalle hamlet, you can admire a forest of monumental larches.

Cross the bridge over the Dora di Rhemes, in Bruil, municipal seat of Rhême-Notre-Dame, then take High Route 2 (AV2). You soon come to the Pré-du-bois pasture (1789 m). Go up and walk alongside the brook for a brief stretch until you come to a wooden cross near Entrelor pasture (2140 m). Continue amid the wide meadows until you reach the Plan-de-Feye (2393 m). Go up a small rock wall and cross a debris channel until you come to Entrelor (3002 m).

From the centre of the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame you follow the tarmac road going down the valley for about two hundred metres until you come to La Veforche; near the car park (on your left) you take the footpath that climbs up between the meadows. You cross the bridge over the mountain torrent and continue on a zig-zag path climbing up the grassy slopes dominated by a high rock face and then cross a small coniferous wood. When you reach the grassy ridge, the trail draws a long diagonal line climbing gently as far as the Torrent mountain pastures. From here you bear left going across a large alluvial canyon which you then walk alongside over sparse pastureland as far as the foot of a rock face. Then going right you climb upwards round several bends up the steep slope with debris and pastures which leads to Col Fenêtre.

Go through Bruil, the municipal seat of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, and take route 8C near the park house and the bridge over the Dora di Rhemes,. After a short stretch on the forest track, the trail goes up to the right, into the conifer woods and goes down to meet two ski slopes. The trail rises sharply until it comes to stony terrain and later to Alpe Chaussettaz (2194 m). From here, go back down a few metres on the access trail, and take route 7 on the right, which rises up, amidst panoramic views over the central valley, to meet the Sort lodge (2295 m).

From Bruil village cross the Dora stream and take the path n.10 (also part of the Alta Via n.2 trek).
The itinerary reaches after 25 minutes the Grand Ru irrigation channel, it follows it for a short stretch and then continues up until altitude 2500 mt.
After getting out of the woods you will see a cross and the beautiful pastures of Entrelor, where the walk ends and from which you can enjoy a priceless view on the valley.

After leaving the car in Chanavey hamlet in front of the Gran Paradiso National Park Visitors Centre, cross the bridge and continue for a few metres.
The path, marked with signposts SN and 9A, starts on the right along the river. The itinerary runs along the course of the Dora stream until Bruil village , then it passes Chaudanne hamlet, where you can see the restored mill and oven. Later the path reaches Pellaud hamlet, where you can take a break near its lakes surrounded by larch and spruce woods. The itinerary ends in Thumel hamlet.
 At the departure point you can find panoramic binoculars.

The Entrelor stream originates from a glacier on the Entrelor peak (3,430 m) which is located between Valsavarenche and the Rhêmes Valley. Before flowing into the Dora di Rhêmes it forms this waterfall.

Reach the Chaudanne hamlet by car or on foot from the path that arrives from the lake of the village Pellaud.

From Chaudanne, climb for 5 minutes along the asphalt road to the village of Broillat from which path 10A starts. After about 10 minutes of walking uphill you come to the crossroads, on the right, with path 9B along the Grand Ru canal. After about 5 minutes of walking you reach the waterfall.

Starting from Bruil village take Alta Via n.2 route that leads to the path along the ancient irrigation channel called “Grand Ru”. The “ru”, which is around 2 km long, has been requalified and runs from the natural water intake (Entrelor waterfalls) that you can reach with a 15 minutes detour on the right.
If you continue on the left, the path winds flat into the wood until the winter ski slopes, where the route descends towards Le Pessey hamlet. After reaching the valley floor continue on the Nature Trail to reach Bruil again.

From the parking lot in Thumel hamlet follow the paved road and when, after a few hundred meters, the road gets unpaved, continue straight following the signpost n.13.
After crossing a bridge, the path continues near the ruins of Barmaverain mountain pasture and then close to a foaming waterfall.
You will come back then on the unpaved road near the Gran Golettaz stream and on left you cross the bridge on the the Dora di Rhêmes torrent.
Rejoin the path, cross again the gravel road in several points, and reach before Lavassey mountain pasture and finally the Benevolo mountain hut.

Follow the paved road from the car park in Thumel and, after a few hundred metres, continue straight along route 12 near a bend on the now dirt track. Cross a bridge and take the path to the left. Cross the Dora di Rhêmes over a bridge and head into the valley of the Grand Vaudalaz stream. After a steep climb, you come to a plateau with Alpe Grand-Vaudalaz. Now, as you come to a junction, continue along route 13A on the left. You first go up onto high altitude meadows and then deposits of debris and moraine to reach Col Rosset.

From the car park in Thumel follow the paved road and after a few metres, turn left on the dirt road that goes down to a bar. Continue across the bridge over the Dora di Rhemes, and take route 11 which goes into the valley of Vaudalettaz.
After reaching a pasture, then the park guard’s lodge, continue along pastures and stone terrain along traces of the trail until you come to two small lakes of glacial origin.

The climb continues up deposits of debris and moraine and snowfields as far as Col Leynir (3084 m).

First day
From Thumal, take the path that gently climbs towards the top of the valley. This rejoins with the dirt road near a bridge where a well-visible hut is found at the end of the ramp. Continue along the road crossing near the Lavassey mountain pastures to quickly reach the Benevolo hut,
Second day
From the hut, follow the path that leads towards the Basei mountain pasture located on the right of the valley watershed. From here, continue until the mule path starts its steep climb to Colle della Nivoletta. Leaving the path, head towards the tip of the Fond glacier that is easy to reach over the mainly sediment ground. Climb on the glacier ice cap and, careful of crevasses, ascend next to the small typically yellow calcium towers. You will soon reach the top where you can enjoy the magnificent view of the Valle d’Aosta and French Tarantaise mountain ranges.
Descent: along the ascent route.

The route requires alpine climbing experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

Day one
From Thumel take the pathway that gently slopes up towards the head of the valley. You will join back up again with the unsurfaced road close to a bridge, at the bottom of the ramp and at the foot of which stands the refuge in clear view. Carry on along the road passing close to the Lavassey mountain pasture from where it will only take you a short time to reach the Benevolo Refuge.

Day two
From the Refuge, carry on to the right crossing the Dora di Rhêmes on a stone bridge and you will come to the Soches mountain chalets. From here start climbing along the hillside, heading southwards, until you come to a stony basin, from where a pathway leads off that climbs up along a grassy fan. Amidst pastures and moraines, you will come to a saddle at 3078m, characterised by a stone slab with the writing “San Bernardo”. Then climb up the glacier, trying to keep to the bottom of the western slope of the Granta Parey. Pass by the ridge that heads north-eastwards and this will take you onto the western slope of the mountain; climb back up the stony slope, sometimes covered in snow, and head in the direction of the saddle that divides the northern point from the southern one. A easy rocky passage will allow you to reach the southern point. In order to touch the northern point, you will have to overcome some passages that area easy to climb. Whatever, the view doesn’t change and it is fantastic.
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.

First day
From Thumal, take the path that gently climbs towards the top of the valley. This rejoins with the dirt road near a bridge where a well-visible hut is found at the end of the ramp. Continue along the road crossing near the Lavassey mountain pastures to quickly reach the Benevolo hut,
Second day
From the hut, drop briefly to the bridge to cross the Dora di Rhêmes and take the path to Lake Goletta. At the first grassy lawn, leave the main path and follow the path to the south that cuts across the grassy slope leading to the back of the summit called Truc Sant’Elena. Continue along the edge of the moraine that runs along the large east face of the Granta Parei. The foot of the Tsanteleina glacier is at the end. Hug the slightly steep southern face of the Granta Parei until you see the Colle di Tsanteleina that rises between the Picco di Goletta and Punta Tsanteleina. From the valley, continue south along the left edge of the snow-covered and rocky northern face. The slope is steeper near the end: In bad weather you can climb to the left using the rocks on the edge of the eastern face.

Descend along the ascent route.

The route requires alpine climbing experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

After leaving the car in Chanavey , in front of the Gran Paradiso National Park Visitors Centre, cross the bridge and continue for a few meters. The path starts on the right along the river. The itinerary develops along the orographic left of the course of the Dora river until it reaches the hamlet of Bruil. After a few hundred meters the route climbs along the Alta Via n. 2 and reaches the irrigation canal, the so called Grand Ru. Turning left the track is flat and winds through the wood until it reaches the locality Bruil and the same track that leads back to Chanavey.

From Pellaud, continue along the road that leads to Thumel coasting the Doire de Rhêmes after a couple of minutes. After walking for about 20 minutes you reach the summer parking lot before entering Thumel. Continue to Thumel and then take path 13. You’ll reach the park ranger’s hut after ascending for several minutes. Pass under some rocks until to reach a wide ledge: from here, continue on the flat route that then drops towards the Torrent de Barmaverain river bed. After the river bed, continue along the summer path that climbs the ridge to the Barmaverain buildings. After enjoying the magnificent view of the Granta Parei, head towards the short snow-covered peak that coasts the gorges carved by the Doire di Rhêmes (be careful). After the peak, cross an almost flat segment that quickly leads near the Thumel hydro-electric foundations.
The route continues slightly upwards while the refuge slowly appears. Cross the Doire de Rhêmes and continue on the right-hand side crossing to the plains under the refuge. You’re near the end: after following a long straightaway you’ll enter a small valley that quickly leads to the Benevolo refuge.

Day one
From the hamlet of Bruil (1723 m), follow the trail of the summer road passing the inhabited area of Pelaud and Thumel 1868 m. Then, leave the road and head up into the forest on the left following the trail of the summer pathway as far as 2000 m. After the first channel, keep to the valley basin and cross over the Dora using the bridge, carry on up the left hand side of the valley and with a few ups and downs, going round some rocky crags, you will come to the Benevolo refuge where you can book in for the night.
Day two
Walk along the Dora on the left, pass a long plain keeping as low as possible. At the end of it, start climbing slightly on the left in the direction of the Fond glacier, leaving an obvious square block on your left. Walk along side the rocks at the base that separate the Lavassey and Fond glaciers then carry on in the direction of the Basagne Pass. Watch out for the numerous, dangerous crevasses. Once you reach the pass, head to the left and climb up a significant slope leaving the rocks on your left. Head towards the steep slope that leads to the peak which you can get round on the left. There is a large stone figure at the top that can be seen from afar.
Descend the upward itinerary.

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

Cross the inhabited area and the Dora di Rhêmes from the car park and head up through the meadows on the right bank in the direction of two isolated houses; carry on up on your right following the trail of the summer pathway. Leave the clearly visible Cucco Castle (2007 m) on your left and, with one last steep crossing to the right, you will come to the entrance of the Entrelor Valley. Climb up the centre then head over to the right and, with a steeper stretch enter a trough on the left. Go back up the valley, then head over to the left and you will come to the glacier. A slope on the right will take you directly to the hillock just to the left of the summit. In the event of unpredictable snow, it is advisable to head up to the left, moving towards the watershed with the Valsavarenche and coming to the lower summit.
Descend the upward route.

Access path (10/15 minutes on foot): Departure from the Chanavey hamlet. Take the path to Col Cussunaz. After 300 metres, take a detour to the left and after 200 meters you reach the start of the via ferrata.

Following the access path, you arrive at a first vertical wall (80 m.) with some overhanging passages. After the first path you reach an articulated and easy via ferrata. Following a Tibetan bridge, another five minutes of path and an escape route. On the route there is a second wall of another 100 meters, easy with exposure, and a sideways exit with a small section of ferrata going down. Finally a panoramic flat via ferrata and the final flat path.