Trekking: the Ruitor tour (Vanoise)
Duration : 7 days
France, Northern Alps, Italy, Alps
Level : good physical fitness required, some off-trail passages
from 930 € / p. from 5 to 12 persons
Infos & Booking
Description
I suggest you hike around the Tête du Ruitor. This Italian peak culminates at 3486 meters above sea level and runs along the ridge separating the Aosta valley from the upper Tarentaise.
Between the National Parks of Vanoise and Gran Paradiso, we will meet the inhabitants of these high valleys who remain very attached to their traditions. We will discover the life of alpine pastures, larch forests, beautiful lakes, sometimes bordering the high mountains. Italian side Valgrisenche will reveal the charms of an authentic valley that perpetuates wood carving and lace making.
I also offer other stays during the summer, like a trek around Mont Aiguille and in the Diois. You can also follow me to more distant destinations, such as the great Pamir crossing in Tajikistan or family treks in Morocco.
Program
D1: Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise - Ruitor hut (2000m).
Meet at 10am at the Savonne parking lot above Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise (1750m). We enjoy a beautiful hike around the lakes (Longet, Verdet and Petit lakes), dominated by the rocky peaks of the Œillasses and Grand Assaly and under the benevolent presence of the Becca du Lac.
4 to 5 hours' walk, ascent: 750 meters, descent: 500 meters.
D2: Ruitor hut - Archeboc hut (2030m).
We climb up the slopes leading to the Col de la Sassière, then cross the Monséti ridge, where the Lac Noir is nestled, a favorite with trout fishermen. We then enter the vallon de Mercuel, a historic peddler's route between Tarentaise and Aosta valley.
5-hour walk, ascent and descent: 500 to 900m.
D3: Archeboc hut - Mario Bezzi hut (2284m).
Today we're walking through a wild, mineral world. First up the Gavies stream to cross under the Pointes de l'Archeboc and d'Ormelune. Then it's back down to Lac Noir and up to the pass of the same name to reach Valgrisenche and Italy.
6 and a half hours' walk, ascent: 1200m, descent: 750m.
D4: Mario Bezzi hut - Épée hut (2370m).
Beautiful balcony stage through the alpine meadows and below the Grande Rousse summit. We spend the night at the Chalet de l'Épée, opposite the Ruitor and above Lake Surier, which floods the alpine pastures of the upper Valgrisenche valley.
5-hour walk, ascent: 600m, descent: 500m.
D5: Épée hut - Planaval (1554m).
Via the mountain pastures of Praz-Londzet and Verconey, we join the Pape trail leading to Boregne, then descend to Revers and a short stretch of road to the hamlet of Planaval. An alternative route takes us through the village of Valgrisenche, where we can get a better taste of the valley's atmosphere (woodcarving, lace-making).
6-hour walk, ascent: 300m, descent: 1150m.
D6: Planaval - Alberto Deffeyes hut (2494m).
Transfer to the alpine hamlet of Lazei, overlooking La Salle. Today we follow a wild and secret itinerary first through the melezins and then through the rhododendrons to the Paso Alto pass at 2860 meters of altitude. We then descend to the Alberto Deffeyes hut, magnificently situated at the foot of the Ruitor glacier.
6-hour walk, ascent: 1200m, descent: 400m.
D7: Alberto Deffeyes hut - La Savonne (1750m).
We pass the Lac du Ruitor weir before entering the Bellacomba valley, home to some superb lakes. Return to France via the Col de la Louie Blanche (2583m) and the valley of the same name to La Savonne.
6-hour walk, ascent: 300m, descent: 1050m.
Separation at the Savonne parking lot around 4pm.
The price includes
- Supervison by the mountain leader.
- Half-board accommodation during the whole circuit.
- Lunchtime picnics.
- Day 6 transfer from Planaval to La Salle.
- Transfer of luggage (limited to 15kg) from each accommodation to the next one except at Ruitor and Deffeyes huts.
The price does not include
- Transport to and from La Savonne, about one hour and a half drive from Albertville.
- Drinks.
- Visits and activities not planned in the program.
- Cancellation and repatriation insurance.
- Showers in huts when not included in ½ board.
- Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".
Accommodation
In moutain huts and lodges.