Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

The Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta – Tappa 8 is a 9-km point-to-point trail in Italy's Aosta Valley, climbing roughly 280 m and descending about 660 m as it links Rifugio Grand Tournalin (2,534 m) to Rifugio Barmasse (2,157 m). Rated E (intermediate), this high-Alpine stage crosses the Col de Nannaz beneath the Matterhorn's eastern flank.

About the Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

Tappa 8 is the eighth stage of the Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta, the long-distance high route nicknamed the Alta Via dei Giganti ("Route of the Giants") because it threads beneath the four highest summits of the Alps: Monte Bianco (4,810 m), Monte Rosa (4,634 m), the Cervino/Matterhorn (4,478 m), and the Gran Paradiso massif to the south. The complete Alta Via 1 runs roughly 200 km from Donnas (329 m) on the floor of the valley to Courmayeur (1,223 m) at the foot of Mont Blanc, broken into 14 stages that never drop the hiker far from the 2,000–2,800 m band of pasture, larch forest, and rock.

This single stage carries you across the Valtournenche, the valley that drains south from the Matterhorn. You start at the Rifugio Grand Tournalin (2,534 m), a modern hut perched below the Grand Tournalin (3,379 m), and finish at the lakeside Rifugio Barmasse (2,157 m) above the village of Valtournenche. Between them the path climbs to the Col de Nannaz (also written Colle di Nana, around 2,770 m), the high point of the day, before dropping through alpine meadow to the reservoir of Lago di Cignana's smaller cousin, the Lac de Barmasse. Managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, the stage is graded E — an ordinary mountain hike on marked paths, with no exposure or scrambling that would push it into EE territory. Allow 5 to 6 hours of walking time.

What makes Tappa 8 memorable out of proportion to its 9 km is the scenery. For much of the climb to the col the Matterhorn fills the head of the valley to the northwest, and on the descent the Grandes Murailles ridge and the Dent d'Hérens come into view. The same ground forms the second half of the legendary Tor des Géants ultra-trail, so you will share the trail markers with one of the world's hardest mountain races each September.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below places Tappa 8 in the context of the Valtournenche section of the Alta Via 1. Distances are the official stage figures published by the regional authority; Tappa 8 itself is the 9-km line in bold.

The stage profile is simple to read: about 90 minutes of steady ascent from the Grand Tournalin hut to the Col de Nannaz, then a long, knee-working descent of roughly 660 m on grass and rock toward the Barmasse reservoir. There are no technical sections, but the col can hold a snow patch into early summer, and the upper meadows are exposed to wind and weather.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rifugio Grand Tournalin (2,534 m) — the stage start, a comfortable modern refuge directly below the twin Tournalin peaks; a popular base for the easy ascent of the Grand Tournalin (3,379 m).
• Col de Nannaz / Colle di Nana (~2,770 m) — the high point of the day and the watershed between the upper and lower Valtournenche, with a sweeping panorama back toward Monte Rosa.
• The Cervino (Matterhorn, 4,478 m) — visible at the head of the Valtournenche for much of the climb; the Italian side of the peak that towers over Breuil-Cervinia.
• Grandes Murailles & Dent d'Hérens (4,171 m) — the long granite wall and pyramid that close the western horizon as you descend.
• Lac de Barmasse — a hydroelectric reservoir ringed by larch and alpine meadow, the visual centrepiece of the descent.
• Rifugio Barmasse (2,157 m) — the stage end, a small family-run hut beside the lake serving Valdostan dishes such as polenta concia and Fontina.
• Alpine pastures (alpeggi) — working summer dairies where Fontina DOP cheese is still made; you may pass cattle and the low stone tsapa shelters.
• Tor des Géants markers — yellow race signage shared with the 330-km ultra-trail that crosses this exact ground each September.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 1 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

The walkable window for Tappa 8 runs from late June to late September. Because the Col de Nannaz sits near 2,770 m, snow lingers on the north-facing approach well into June in an average year; by late June 2026 the col is usually clear, but check hut reports before committing. July and August bring warm, stable days, wildflower meadows, and fully staffed refuges — but also the heaviest foot traffic and a real risk of afternoon thunderstorms that build over the high peaks from roughly 14:00.

The single best month is September. As of 2026 the refuges along this section typically stay open until mid-to-late September; the air is clearer, the thunderstorm frequency drops sharply, the summer crowds thin out, and the larches begin to turn gold on the descent to Lac de Barmasse. The one caveat is the Tor des Géants race week in early-to-mid September, when this trail is busy and some hut beds are pre-booked — plan around it. By early October the high refuges close and the first snowfalls can reach the col, ending the season. Always start early to clear the Col de Nannaz before midday weather develops.

Practical Information

Accommodation

This stage is designed to be walked hut-to-hut, and both endpoints are staffed refuges. A bunk in half-board (dinner, bed, breakfast) at a Valle d'Aosta refuge typically costs €55–€70 per person as of 2026; a bed alone runs roughly €25–€35. The Rifugio Grand Tournalin (2,534 m) and Rifugio Barmasse (2,157 m) both offer meals and bunkrooms in summer — reservation by phone or email is essential in July and August, and CAI members receive a discount. Wild camping is restricted in the Aosta Valley; bivouacking for a single night above the treeline is tolerated when pitched late and struck early, but there are no official campsites on the stage itself. Down in Valtournenche village you will find hotels, B&Bs, and a campsite if you prefer to descend by lift or path.

Getting There & Back

The gateway town is Valtournenche, in the valley below the stage. The nearest mainline railway station is Châtillon-Saint-Vincent on the Aosta line; from there regional buses run up the Valtournenche to Valtournenche village and Breuil-Cervinia (roughly 45–60 minutes). From Turin or Milan, take a train to Châtillon (changing at Chivasso or Aosta) — about 2 to 3 hours from Turin Porta Nuova. The nearest international airport is Turin–Caselle (TRN), around 1.5–2 hours by car; Milan Malpensa (MXP) and Geneva (GVA) are each roughly 2–2.5 hours away. Check schedules in advance with Trenitalia. From the trailheads, a network of paths and the Valtournenche lifts connect the refuges to the valley floor for those linking stages or bailing out.

Permits & Fees

No permit and no entry fee are required to walk Tappa 8 — the Alta Via 1 is a free, waymarked public route maintained by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, and this section lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park boundary, so no park regulations apply. Your only costs are accommodation, meals, and transport. Drones are restricted in much of the region, and you should respect the working alpine dairies you cross. Full, current stage descriptions are published on the regional tourism portal, lovevda.it.

Gear & Packing List

A high-Alpine day stage at 2,500–2,800 m calls for layered clothing, sun protection, and footwear that handles loose rock on the descent from the Col de Nannaz. If you are walking the whole Alta Via 1 hut-to-hut, a comfortable 35–55 L pack carries several days of clothing plus a sleeping liner without the weight of a tent. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Windrider is a strong ultralight choice for fast hut-to-hut days, while the Deuter Aircontact Lite 45+10 suits hikers who want a fuller suspension and more capacity. For a one- or two-stage outing with extra food, the Osprey Atmos AG 50 balances load comfort and volume well. Pack a warm midlayer, a waterproof shell, a hat and gloves (the col is cold and windy even in August), trekking poles for the long descent, at least 1.5 L of water capacity, and high-energy snacks — see how many calories you need for a full day of hiking to plan your refuelling.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Alpine balcony walking of the Valle d'Aosta appeals, Italy's Alte Vie system offers many more multi-day routes in the same vein — especially the celebrated high routes of the Dolomites, which trade granite giants for pale limestone towers. These trails share the same hut-to-hut culture, graded difficulty system, and summer season:

• 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 contrast in scenery but a similar hut-to-hut rhythm, the Balkans deliver dramatic value — read our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 8 of the Alta Via 1?
Late June to late September is the walkable window, with September the single best month. By then the Col de Nannaz is reliably snow-free, afternoon thunderstorms are less frequent, summer crowds have thinned, and the larches turn gold. Avoid the early-September Tor des Géants race week if you want quiet trails and easier hut bookings.

How difficult is the Alta Via 1 Tappa 8?
The stage is graded E (intermediate hiking) on the Italian scale — a normal mountain walk on marked paths with no exposure or scrambling. The main challenges are altitude (the Col de Nannaz sits near 2,770 m), a roughly 660 m descent that taxes the knees, and exposure to weather on the open col. Fit hikers find it comfortable; trekking poles help.

How long is each day on this section of the Alta Via 1?
Tappa 8 itself is about 9 km and takes 5 to 6 hours including the climb to the Col de Nannaz and the long descent to Rifugio Barmasse. Neighbouring stages run 11–14 km with 700–1,000 m of ascent, so plan on 5–8 walking hours per day across the wider Valtournenche section, plus rest stops at the huts.

Where can I sleep along Tappa 8?
Both endpoints are staffed summer refuges: Rifugio Grand Tournalin (2,534 m) at the start and Rifugio Barmasse (2,157 m) at the finish. Expect €55–€70 per person for half-board or €25–€35 for a bed only, with discounts for CAI members. Book ahead in July and August. Hotels and a campsite are available down in Valtournenche village.

Do I need a permit to hike Tappa 8?
No. The Alta Via 1 is a free, waymarked public route maintained by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, and this stage lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park, so no permit, fee, or park registration is required. Your only costs are accommodation, meals, and transport to the trailheads. Respect the working alpine dairies and observe regional drone restrictions.