Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13 is a 15-km point-to-point trail in the Aosta Valley of northwest Italy, descending from Champorcher (1,422 m) to Crest (1,170 m) and gaining roughly 300 m of elevation along the way. Rated moderate and walkable in a single day, this stage closes the long traverse with a gentle valley descent through larch woods and stone hamlets.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta (High Route No. 2 of the Aosta Valley) is a 14-stage long-distance trail that runs along the orographic right, or southern, side of the Aosta Valley. The full route begins in Courmayeur at 1,224 m, beneath the Mont Blanc massif, and ends 200-plus kilometres later in Donnas at just 330 m, where the valley opens toward the Po plain. Along the way the path crosses seven lateral valleys — including Veny, Rhêmes, Valsavarenche, Cogne and Champorcher — and reaches a maximum altitude of 3,299 m, threading the wild flanks of the Graian Alps and brushing the boundary of the Gran Paradiso National Park.

Tappa 13 is the penultimate stage of that grand traverse and sits entirely within the Valle di Champorcher. It carries hikers from the village of Champorcher at 1,422 m down to the hamlet of Crest-Damon at 1,170 m, a net descent of around 250 m spread across 15 kilometres of undulating mountain track. Because the route loses more height than it gains, many walkers treat this as a recovery day after the higher, more demanding crossings earlier in the route, such as the Fenêtre de Champorcher at 2,826 m that defines Stage 12.

The Alta Via 2 shares its opening sections with the legendary Tor des Géants ultramarathon, and the Champorcher valley is a landscape steeped in pastoral history: dry-stone alpeggi (summer farms), Romanesque chapels and the 13th-century Castello di Champorcher all sit within a short distance of the trail. The stage is managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, which maintains the official Alte Vie signage with the distinctive yellow-and-black triangle markers.

Route Overview & Stages

While this guide focuses on Tappa 13, the table below places it in the context of the surrounding stages so you can plan a multi-day section hike. Distances and elevation figures are approximate and reflect the official route as maintained in 2026.

Tappa 13 itself follows a clear, well-signed path. From Champorcher's church square the route climbs gently through pasture before traversing the wooded flank of the valley, passing a string of hamlets — Chardonney, Outre l'Ève and others — before reaching the small settlement of Crest-Damon, where the stage ends. Walking time is typically 4 to 5 hours at a relaxed pace, making it one of the shortest and easiest days on the entire Alta Via 2.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Champorcher village (1,422 m) — the stage's starting point, a traditional alpine commune with a stone church, summer farmers' market and the medieval Castello di Champorcher perched above the road.
• Lago Miserin and the Santuario di Miserin — just above Champorcher on Stage 12, this alpine lake and its hilltop sanctuary at 2,583 m draw pilgrims each July and make a worthwhile detour the day before.
• Rifugio Dondena — a historic mountain refuge in the upper valley once visited by King Vittorio Emanuele II during royal hunts, today a welcoming overnight base.
• Chardonney — a compact hamlet with cafés and a small chapel, the natural mid-stage break for water and a coffee.
• The Champorcher larch forests — extensive stands of European larch that turn gold in late September, framing the trail with some of the valley's best autumn colour.
• Mont Avic Natural Park boundary — the trail skirts the edge of this protected area, home to the rare Mountain pine forests and the black grouse.
• Crest-Damon (1,170 m) — the stage's quiet finishing hamlet, with views back up the valley toward the high passes you crossed earlier on the route.
• Stone rascard barns — traditional timber-and-stone farm buildings scattered along the lower valley, illustrating the region's Walser and Valdostan building heritage.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 13

The reliable hiking window for Tappa 13 runs from mid-June to late September. Because this stage stays below 1,500 m for its entire length, it clears of snow earlier than the high passes of Stages 11 and 12, and the lower elevation keeps it walkable even when the upper route is still under late-spring snowpack.

The single best month is September. By then the summer thunderstorm season has eased, daytime temperatures sit comfortably between 12 °C and 20 °C, and the larch forests begin their golden turn. Trails are firm and dry, mountain huts are still open, and the crowds of the Tor des Géants race period (mid-September) thin quickly once the event passes. As of 2026, most Aosta Valley refuges plan to operate from around 20 June to 20 September, so a hike in the first three weeks of September captures the best balance of weather, colour and open accommodation.

July and August are warm and dependable but bring afternoon thunderstorms and the heaviest visitor numbers; start early and aim to finish by mid-afternoon. June can still be wet, with swollen streams and lingering snow on the connecting high stages. Outside the June-to-September window the refuges close, public transport to Champorcher thins out, and snow makes the surrounding passes impassable without winter equipment.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Champorcher and the surrounding valley offer a good spread of options. In the village you will find small hotels and B&Bs charging roughly €60–€100 per double room per night, often with half-board available. Higher up, Rifugio Dondena and Rifugio Miserin provide classic mountain-hut bunks; expect to pay around €25–€35 for a dormitory bed and €50–€65 for half-board (dinner, bed and breakfast) in 2026. Booking ahead is essential in July, August and during the Tor des Géants week. Wild camping is restricted across the Aosta Valley and prohibited inside protected areas; if you carry a tent, bivouac discreetly above the tree line, pitch late and leave early, and never camp within the Gran Paradiso or Mont Avic park boundaries.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is the city of Aosta, served by regional trains from Turin (around 2 hours) on the Chivasso–Aosta line. From Aosta or the lower-valley town of Pont-Saint-Martin, regional buses run up to Champorcher; the bus from Pont-Saint-Martin takes roughly 45–60 minutes. The nearest major airport is Turin Caselle (TRN), about 1.5–2 hours away by car or combined train and bus; Milan Malpensa (MXP) is a 2.5-hour drive. At the far end of the stage, Crest connects back down to the valley road and bus stops at Hône and Pont-Saint-Martin, both on the main train line, so a car-free section hike is entirely feasible.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Tappa 13, and there is no fee to hike the Alta Via 2. The trail is free and open to the public. Standard alpine rules apply within the nearby Gran Paradiso National Park and Mont Avic Natural Park: stay on marked paths, keep dogs leashed or leave them at home where signed, and pack out all rubbish. You only pay for accommodation, food and the cableway or bus transfers you choose to use. For current trail and refuge status, consult the official regional tourism board, the Aosta Valley Alte Vie database, and for park regulations the Gran Paradiso National Park website.

Gear & Packing List

Tappa 13 is a low-altitude, well-graded day, but mountain weather in the Aosta Valley changes fast and you should pack for sudden rain and a 10 °C temperature swing even in summer. A 35–50 litre pack is ample for a section hike of two to four stages. The Abisko Hike 35 suits a light, hut-to-hut approach, while the Aircontact Lite 45+10 gives extra room if you carry camping gear or food for several days. Ultralight walkers tackling the full traverse often prefer the frameless 2400 Windrider for its low base weight.

Beyond the pack, bring a waterproof shell, a warm mid-layer, sturdy trail shoes or light boots with good grip for the rooty forest sections, trekking poles for the descents, two litres of water capacity, and sun protection for the exposed pasture climbs. If you are planning the higher connecting stages, add a thin pair of gloves, a buff and microspikes for any early-season snow. For meal planning across multiple days, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you dial in food weight, and if you are choosing a pack for a longer thru-hike, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-route format of the Alta Via 2 appeals to you, Italy's Dolomites offer some of the most celebrated multi-day traverses in the Alps. Each of the routes below links stage to stage through dramatic limestone scenery, with a network of refuges that makes hut-to-hut walking straightforward. The Dolomites Alta Via 2 in particular mirrors the Aosta route's name and spirit while delivering an entirely different vertical, pinnacled landscape.

• 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 rougher, more remote experience outside the Alps, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers a classic single-stage mountain crossing with a similar day-hike feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 13 of the Alta Via 2?
September is the best month. Summer thunderstorms have eased, temperatures sit between 12 °C and 20 °C, and the larch forests turn gold. The wider season runs mid-June to late September, when refuges are open. Because this stage stays below 1,500 m, it clears of snow earlier than the route's higher passes.

How difficult is the Champorcher to Crest stage?
It is rated moderate and is one of the easiest days on the Alta Via 2. The route loses about 250 m net over 15 km, with only around 300 m of total ascent. The path is well signed and stays on forest tracks and pasture, requiring no technical skills or scrambling, though sturdy footwear helps on rooty descents.

How long does the stage take to walk?
Most hikers complete the 15 km of Tappa 13 in 4 to 5 hours at a relaxed pace, including a break at Chardonney. As a section of the wider traverse it is a single day. The gentle downhill profile makes it a natural recovery day after the high Fenêtre de Champorcher crossing on the previous stage.

Where can I stay along this part of the trail?
Champorcher village has small hotels and B&Bs at roughly €60–€100 per double, many with half-board. Mountain refuges such as Rifugio Dondena and Rifugio Miserin charge about €25–€35 for a dormitory bed or €50–€65 with half-board in 2026. Book ahead in July, August and during the Tor des Géants week.

Do I need a permit to hike the Alta Via 2?
No. The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is free and open to the public, with no permit or entry fee required for Tappa 13. Standard alpine rules apply near the Gran Paradiso and Mont Avic parks: stay on marked paths, leash dogs where required, and pack out all waste. You only pay for accommodation, food and transport.