Viso tour off the beaten track (Hautes-Alpes, Piedmont)

Description

Iconic summit of the southern Alps, Mount Viso dominates the surrounding mountains from its 3881 meters high. If climbing is a matter of mountaineering rather than hiking, the topography of its slopes is wonderful for hiking

Mineral and with wild atmosphere, refuges with warm welcome and good meals, the circuit that I propose you doesn't follow the classic route of the tour of Viso but routes out of beaten track. Several peaks over 3000 meters are accessible to hikers as many possible variants.

Possibility on request to lower or increase a little the difficulty in case of group booking.

If you want to discover differently this magnificent Queyras massif, I propose you several other treks:

• the discovery of the beautiful lakes of Ecrins and Queyras,
• the revisited tour of Queyras,
• the discovery of the Queyras and its most beautiful lakes,
• the tour of the Béal Traversier with bivouac,
• the ascent of easy 3000 meters summits between Écrins and Queyras.

Program

D1: From Roche Écroulée to Granero refuge.
Meeting at the car park of the small hamlet of Échalp, municipality of Ristolas at 9.15am. Possibility of transfer from Guillestre-Montdauphin train station on request.
From the end of the Queyras, a first pass forgotten by hikers will take us to Italy in the upper Val Pellice, a great valley carved by glaciers with a very special atmosphere. A short ascent and here we are at the Granero refuge nestled near a beautiful lake just at the foot of 3000m high summits of the border ridge.
Overnight at Granero refuge, perhaps one of the most beautiful terraces in the area!
Positive altitude difference: 1200 meters, negative altitude difference: 500 meters, 5.5 hours of walking.

D2: From Granero refuge to Giacoletti refuge.
We will have several options for this day drawer in the heart of the Viso massif. From Granero refuge several passes are possible to reach the Val Po (and why not climb a small 3000m with a panoramic view?). It is the kingdom of the ibex that we will have great chances to see. We will end the day by the path of the postman, nice and playful balcony that will take us to the hideaway refuge of Giacoletti.
Night at Giacoletti refuge, high mountain atmosphere.
D+: 1000m, D-: 700m, 6.5 hours of walking.

D3: From Giacoletti refuge to Alpetto refuge via the Viso Mozzo.
Today we pass closer to his majesty Viso, master of the place. For more tranquility we will take mostly cross-country trails and if the weather permits we will offer the pleasure of going to see him from the Vizzo Mozzo and its modest 3019 meters of altitude.
Overnight at Alpetto refuge, a small family hideaway out of time.
D+: 800m, D-: 1300m, 6 hours of walking.

D4: From Alpetto refuge to Bagnour refuge via the Duke Valley.
It is a royal and very wild route that will take us into the beautiful  Duc valley. Mineral ambiences of high mountain then descent in the biggest cembraie of Europe, magic forest with the trees sculpted by the bad weather. It is at the last moment that we will discover the clearing of Bagnour refuge and its lake. Another little paradise!
Night at the Bagnour refuge, with family atmosphere and warm!
D+: 1050m, D-: 1250m, 6.5 hours of walking.

D5: From Bagnour refuge to La Roche Écroulée.
We will go up the long  Vallante valley at the foot of the Viso towards the eponymous pass and then switch on French side in the superb combe of Haut-Guil. Nice view of the Visolotto and the border ridge. Descent in a peaceful atmosphere until the Roche Écroulée, end of our trip!
Separation on the car park of the small hamlet of Échalp, municipality of Ristolas at 4.30pm. Possibility of transfer from Guillestre-Montdauphin train station on request. Arrival at the station at 5.30pm.
D+: 900m, D-: 1200m, 5.5 hours of walking.

Intermediate level: you already have a mountain hiking experience, are in good shape and practice regular physical activity throughout the year. You are looking for a medium level stay with beautiful hiking sometimes accessible at the cost of a little effort. Hiking days of 5 to 7 hours of walking with a difference in altitude between 800 and 900 meters. Routes on good mountain trails with sometimes a few more technical passages or off-trail without difficulties. If the stay is itinerant you must be able to carry a bag of about 8kg.

NB: The program is given as an indication. I remain the only judge of the program that I can modify at any time, for security reasons or according to weather conditions, or in relation to the physical and technical level of hikers. The indications for the rise and stage times are given for information only.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Accommodation and reservation in lodge and mountain hut, full board (picnic for lunch).
• Bearing of meals and overnight stays of the mountain leader.

The price does not include

• Snacks.
• Personal expenses: drinks, aperitif, etc.
• Liability, repatriation and cancellation insurance.
• Transport to and from the meeting place.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Accommodation in mountain huts.
• Comfortable dorms, duvets or blankets provided. Hot showers (extra cost in Giacoletti and Granero refuges).
• Meals cooked by the refuges, good and hearty. Picnic for lunch.

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