Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13 is a 5-km point-to-point trail in the Valle d'Aosta region of northwest Italy, climbing roughly 1,072 m from Rey in Ollomont (1,393 m) to the Rifugio Létey-Champillon (2,465 m). Rated moderate (grade E), it is a short but relentlessly uphill alpine stage rewarded by Grand Combin views.

About the Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta — nicknamed the Alta Via dei Giganti, or "Route of the Giants" — is a long-distance high route that traverses the northern flank of the Aosta Valley beneath the four great 4,000-metre massifs of the Western Alps: Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn (Cervino), the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco). The complete trail links Donnas (329 m) in the east to Courmayeur (1,223 m) in the west, divided into a sequence of day stages that are usually walked over roughly two weeks. The route is managed and waymarked by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, which marks it with the characteristic yellow triangle bearing the number "1".

This page covers Tappa 13, the stage that climbs from the hamlet of Rey in the Ollomont valley (1,393 m) up to the Rifugio Létey-Champillon at 2,465 m. It is one of the shortest stages on the whole route at just 5 km, but the entire distance is spent gaining height — about 1,072 m of elevation — so the modest length is deceptive. The path leaves the Valpelline side-valley, follows old pastoral tracks and mule paths through larch woodland, and emerges into the open Champillon basin, a broad amphitheatre of summer pasture ringed by peaks. The stage carries the standard grade of E (escursionistico, or moderate), meaning it requires fitness and sure feet but no technical climbing.

Ollomont itself has a long history tied to copper: its mines were worked from at least the 17th century and remained active into the 20th, and traces of the old mining infrastructure can still be seen in the valley. Walkers on Tappa 13 follow a landscape shaped equally by mining and by centuries of alpine grazing, with the Champillon alpine pastures still grazed by cattle through the short summer.

Route Overview & Stages

Tappa 13 sits near the western end of the Alta Via n. 1. The table below places this stage in context with the segments around it; distances are approximate and based on the waymarked variants published by the regional trail authority.

Because Tappa 13 ends at the refuge rather than back in a village, most hikers treat it as a half-day stage and pair it either with the descent from Oyace earlier in the day or with the onward crossing of the Col de Champillon the following morning. The 1,072 m of climb is concentrated, so allow roughly 3 to 4 hours at a steady pace.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rey, Ollomont (1,393 m) — the trailhead hamlet at the head of the Valpelline road, with parking, a small shop and the last reliable services before the climb.
• Ollomont copper mines — historic workings exploited from the 1600s; interpretive signage and ruined structures mark the valley's industrial past.
• Larch and pine woodland — the lower half of the climb threads through mixed conifer forest, offering welcome shade on hot summer mornings.
• Champillon alpine pastures — a broad upper basin still grazed by dairy cattle, source of the valley's Fontina-style mountain cheese.
• Rifugio Létey-Champillon (2,465 m) — the stage's destination, a welcoming staffed hut with bunk rooms, hot meals and a sunlit terrace facing the high peaks.
• Grand Combin (4,314 m) — the glaciated giant dominating the skyline to the north, one of the great 4,000-metre summits the Alta Via was named to honour.
• Mont Vélan (3,727 m) — a striking pyramidal peak on the Italian–Swiss frontier, visible from the upper basin.
• Col de Champillon (2,709 m) — the high pass crossed the next morning, the gateway westward toward the Great St Bernard valley.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The Champillon refuge sits at 2,465 m, and the surrounding terrain holds snow well into early summer. The reliable hiking window runs from late June to late September. In a typical year the staffed huts open around 20 June and close in the second half of September; outside that window the trail is unmanaged and crossing the higher Col de Champillon can be hazardous on residual snow.

For 2026, the recommended single best month is August: the snow is gone from all but the highest gullies, the alpine pastures are at their greenest, the huts are fully staffed, and daytime temperatures at the refuge sit comfortably between 10 °C and 18 °C. July is also excellent and slightly quieter, though early July can still carry late snow on north-facing slopes after a heavy winter. September brings crisp air, fewer walkers and superb visibility, but nights drop near freezing and afternoon weather becomes less settled as the month wears on. As of 2026, regional refuge bookings — driven partly by the September Tor des Géants ultra-trail, which shares this corridor — fill quickly, so reserve well ahead for any late-summer date.

Whatever the month, alpine afternoons bring a real risk of thunderstorms. Aim to be at the refuge by early afternoon, and always check the regional mountain forecast the evening before. Because Tappa 13 is short and entirely uphill, an early start lets you reach the hut before the heat and the clouds build.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The natural overnight stop is the Rifugio Létey-Champillon at 2,465 m, the endpoint of the stage. As a staffed CAI-style alpine refuge it offers dormitory bunks, blankets, hot dinners and breakfast. Expect to pay roughly €25–€35 per person for a dormitory bed, with half-board (dinner, bed and breakfast) typically €55–€70. Bring a sleeping-bag liner, as it is required in most Italian huts. Down in the valley, the village of Ollomont and the hamlet of Rey have a handful of small guesthouses and B&Bs charging around €60–€90 for a double room, useful if you want to start the climb fresh in the morning. Wild camping is restricted in the Aosta Valley, but discreet bivouacking above the tree line for a single night is generally tolerated; there are no formal campsites on the stage itself.

Getting There & Back

The gateway town is Aosta, on the main rail line. The nearest train station is Aosta (about 20 km away), reached by regional trains from Turin (Torino Porta Nuova) in roughly two hours via Chivasso/Ivrea. From Aosta, regional buses run up the Valpelline toward Ollomont and Rey; the bus journey takes around 45–60 minutes, though services are limited, so check timetables in advance. The nearest international airports are Turin (Caselle, about 1.5 hours by car) and Geneva (about 1.5–2 hours via the Great St Bernard tunnel). Drivers can park at Rey in Ollomont. Because the stage is point-to-point and ends at a high refuge with no road, plan the onward leg over the Col de Champillon, or descend the way you came to retrieve a vehicle.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk the Alta Via n. 1 or to cross the Col de Champillon — the route is freely open to all hikers. There are no entry fees, as the stage lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park boundary. Your only costs are refuge half-board, food, transport and any parking charges. If you plan to overnight in the hut, advance booking by phone or email is strongly advised in July, August and during the September ultra-trail period.

Gear & Packing List

A 1,072 m climb to a 2,465 m refuge calls for proper alpine layering even in midsummer: a warm mid-layer, a windproof shell, gloves and a hat for the exposed Champillon basin, plus sturdy boots with good ankle support for the steep, sometimes rocky track. Carry at least 1.5–2 litres of water, as reliable sources thin out on the upper slopes. Trekking poles ease the relentless ascent and protect the knees on the descent.

For a hut-to-hut crossing where you carry only a sleeping liner, food and layers rather than a tent, a lightweight 35–55 litre pack is ideal. The 2400 Windrider suits minimalist hikers, while the slightly larger 3400 Windrider or the supportive Atmos AG 50 give more room for cooler-weather layers and a few days of food. If you are still deciding on a pack, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven options tested on alpine terrain. And because a steep 1,000-metre climb burns serious energy, it is worth reading how many calories you need hiking a full day before you pack your trail food.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-alpine, hut-to-hut character of the Alta Via n. 1 appeals, Italy's Dolomites offer some of the most celebrated long-distance "alte vie" in the Alps. Each links staffed refuges across dramatic limestone scenery, and most can be tackled stage by stage just like Tappa 13. Consider these related routes:

• Alta Via n. 2 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 2 (Italy), 185 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - XI tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 6 delle Dolomiti - X tappa (Italy), 180 km
• Alta via n. 9 delle Dolomiti - Dolomiten-Höhenweg Nr. 9 (Italy), 140 km

For a contrasting cross-border classic with a similar village-to-mountain rhythm, our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is a great next read.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 13?
August is the single best month: snow has cleared from all but the highest gullies, the Champillon pastures are lush, and the Rifugio Létey-Champillon is fully staffed with daytime temperatures of 10–18 °C. July is also excellent and quieter, while September offers crisp air and great visibility but colder, less settled weather and near-freezing nights at the refuge.

How difficult is the Alta Via n. 1 Tappa 13?
The stage is rated grade E (escursionistico, or moderate) on the Italian alpine scale. There is no technical climbing or exposure, but it gains around 1,072 m over just 5 km, so the entire route is steep uphill. Reasonable fitness, sturdy footwear and trekking poles are recommended; most walkers complete the climb in 3 to 4 hours.

How long is the daily distance on this stage?
Tappa 13 covers just 5 km, making it one of the shortest stages on the whole Alta Via n. 1. Despite the short distance, the relentless 1,072 m ascent to the refuge at 2,465 m means it feels like a substantial half-day. Many hikers combine it with the preceding or following stage to make a fuller walking day.

Where can I stay along the route?
The stage ends at the Rifugio Létey-Champillon (2,465 m), a staffed alpine hut offering dormitory bunks for roughly €25–€35 and half-board for €55–€70. Down in the valley, Ollomont and Rey have small B&Bs and guesthouses charging around €60–€90 for a double. Booking ahead is strongly advised in July, August and during the September ultra-trail season.

Do I need a permit or pay any fees?
No permit is needed to hike Tappa 13 or to cross the Col de Champillon — the Alta Via n. 1 is freely open to all walkers. The stage lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park, so there is no entry fee. Your only costs are refuge half-board, meals, public transport or parking, and any optional guided services you choose.

For full route details and official waymarking, see the official Aosta Valley trail authority page for this stage, and check current public-transport timetables to Ollomont via the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta transport service before you travel.