Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 14

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 14 is a 14-km point-to-point trail in the Aosta Valley of northwest Italy, climbing roughly 300 m to the Santuario di Retempio (1,460 m) before dropping over 1,100 m from Crest (1,170 m) to Donnas (330 m). Rated moderate, this final stage trades high-alpine pasture for chestnut woods and vineyard terraces.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 14

Tappa 14 is the concluding stage of the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta, a 14-stage long-distance route that runs the full southern flank of the Aosta Valley from Courmayeur, beneath Monte Bianco, all the way to Donnas near the regional border with Piedmont. The whole traverse crosses seven lateral valleys — among them Val Veny, Valsavarenche, the Valle di Cogne and the Valle di Champorcher — and tops out at the Col du Loson (3,299 m) in stage 8, the highest point on the entire itinerary. Managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, the route is also known as the "Alta Via dei Giganti" because its line forms the backbone of the famous Tor des Géants ultra-trail.

This last stage, signposted in the official Love Valle d'Aosta database as "Tappa n. 14 - Crest (1.170 mt.) - Donnas (330 mt.)", is the gentlest in altitude but one of the longest single descents on the whole Alta Via. After two weeks moving across glacial cirques and 3,000-metre passes, hikers finish in a Mediterranean-feeling pocket of the Alps where chestnut groves, dry-stone terraces and the vineyards of the Donnas DOC appellation replace larch and alpine meadow. The 1,170-metre net loss between Crest and Donnas is steady rather than brutal, but it is felt in the knees, and most walkers cover the 14 km in 4 to 5 hours of actual marching.

Because Tappa 14 sits at low altitude and ends at a mainline railway station, it is also walked as a standalone day hike — a satisfying way to sample the Alta Via n. 2 without committing to the full fortnight. The stage is waymarked with the standard yellow Alta Via 2 markers and the triangular Tor des Géants flashes, and navigation is straightforward as long as the markers are followed at the frequent path junctions above Donnas.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below places Tappa 14 in the context of the closing stages of the Alta Via n. 2, so you can see how the route steps down toward the valley floor. Distances are approximate stage figures published by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta.

Within Tappa 14 itself, the profile is best read as two halves. From Crest-Damon (1,170 m) the path undulates and climbs gently toward the Santuario di Retempio at around 1,460 m, the high point of the day. From there it is a sustained 1,130-metre descent through forest and hamlets to the church square of Donnas at 330 m on the floor of the Dora Baltea valley.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Crest-Damon (1,170 m) — the balcony hamlet where the stage begins, with open views back across the Valle di Champorcher toward the Mont Avic massif.
• Santuario di Retempio (1,460 m) — the day's high point, a quiet pilgrimage chapel set among meadows and the last truly mountain section before the long wooded descent.
• Chestnut forests above Donnas — extensive sweet-chestnut woods, historically coppiced for timber and flour, that turn gold in autumn and give the lower trail its Mediterranean feel.
• Dry-stone terraces and rascard barns — traditional Walser-influenced agricultural architecture lining the hillside hamlets between Retempio and the valley.
• Donnas DOC vineyards — terraced Nebbiolo (locally "Picotendro") vines trained on low stone pergolas, producing one of the Aosta Valley's best-known red wines.
• The Roman road of Donnas — a remarkable stretch of the ancient Via delle Gallie carved directly into the rock, complete with a surviving arch and a milestone, on the approach to the town.
• Forte di Bard (nearby) — the great 19th-century fortress just downstream from Donnas, a worthwhile add-on visit reachable in minutes by train or on foot.
• Donnas village centre (330 m) — the journey's end, with porticoed streets, the parish church and the railway station marking the official terminus of the Alta Via n. 2.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 14

Because Tappa 14 stays below 1,500 m, its season is far longer than the high passes earlier on the route. The practical window runs from late May through October, and as of 2026 the lower forest path is usually snow-free and walkable well before the rest of the Alta Via n. 2 opens up. The high passes in stages 1 to 9 typically only clear of snow by late June or early July, so anyone walking the full traverse will reach this final stage in summer regardless.

For this stage alone, the single best month is September. The fierce valley heat of July and August — Donnas can exceed 30 °C on the exposed lower terraces — has eased, the air is clearer, and the chestnut woods and Donnas vineyards are at their most photogenic ahead of the grape harvest. Daytime temperatures around the Retempio sanctuary sit comfortably in the high teens, while the valley floor stays warm enough for shirtsleeves. June is a strong second choice, with long daylight and green meadows, though afternoon thunderstorms are more frequent. July and August are perfectly walkable but hot and busy, especially in the Tor des Géants race week in early-to-mid September, when the whole route fills with runners and support crews. Check regional avalanche and weather bulletins before any early-season attempt.

Practical Information

Accommodation

As a finishing stage, Tappa 14 has fewer high-mountain refuges than the rest of the Alta Via, but options exist at both ends. Around Crest and the upper Valle di Champorcher you will find rifugi and posti tappa charging roughly €25–€50 for a dormitory bed with breakfast, or €50–€70 for half board (dinner, bed and breakfast) — the standard Aosta Valley rate in 2026. In Donnas itself, B&Bs, agriturismi and small hotels run from about €60 to €110 for a double room, and several offer hiker-friendly early breakfasts and luggage storage. Wild camping is restricted across the Aosta Valley and prohibited within protected areas; if you carry a tent, ask permission at farms or use the designated areas, and never pitch inside the Gran Paradiso or Mont Avic park boundaries. Book ahead for any date overlapping the Tor des Géants in early-to-mid September, when beds across the region sell out months in advance.

Getting There & Back

Donnas is one of the easiest Alta Via finishes to reach by public transport: it sits on the Aosta–Ivrea–Turin railway line, with its own station a few minutes' walk from the trail's end. From Turin Porta Nuova the journey takes roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, often with a change at Ivrea; the neighbouring Pont-Saint-Martin and Hône-Bard stations are alternatives a short hop away. The nearest major airport is Turin (Caselle), about 1 hour 15 minutes by road; Milan Malpensa is around 2 hours. To reach the start at Crest you would normally use regional buses up the Valle di Champorcher from Hône or Pont-Saint-Martin, then a short walk or transfer to Crest-Damon — check the latest Arriva/regional timetables, as mountain services are seasonal and infrequent. Many through-hikers simply finish at Donnas and take the train onward.

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk Tappa 14 — the Alta Via n. 2 is a free public footpath, and this final stage lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park boundary, so there are no park-specific rules to observe here. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Standard Alpine etiquette applies: carry out all waste, keep dogs under control near the pastures and vineyards, and respect private agricultural land on the terraced descent. Up-to-date stage descriptions and trail status are published by the regional authority on the official Love Valle d'Aosta trail database, and broader park and nature-reserve information is available from the Gran Paradiso National Park, which the Alta Via n. 2 crosses in its early stages.

Gear & Packing List

Tappa 14 is a long, knee-loading descent rather than a technical climb, so the priorities are footwear, joint protection and sun cover for the exposed lower terraces. A pair of trekking poles makes a real difference on the 1,130-metre drop to Donnas. Pack layers for a chilly, dewy start near the Retempio sanctuary and a warm valley finish, plus at least 1.5–2 litres of water capacity, as reliable sources thin out on the wooded descent.

For carrying it all, a comfortable 30–50 litre pack handles a single stage or a multi-day section of the Alta Via with ease. The Abisko Hike 35 is a sturdy, ventilated choice for day and lightweight overnight use, while ultralight through-hikers tackling the full 14-stage route often prefer the 2400 Windrider or the larger 3400 Windrider for their waterproof Dyneema construction and low weight. If you are still choosing a pack for a longer trip, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models side by side. Plan your daily food carefully too — a sustained descent still burns serious energy, and our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you pack enough without overloading.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-route character of the Alta Via n. 2 appeals, Italy's other great numbered "Alte Vie" in the Dolomites offer a similar mix of long-distance traverse, refuge-to-refuge logistics and dramatic alpine scenery. These routes are longer and higher than a single Aosta stage, but they share the same spirit of stringing together mountain days into one continuous line.

• 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 similar village-to-village logistics, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is another rewarding mountain crossing worth adding to the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 14 of the Alta Via n. 2?
September is the single best month. The summer valley heat has faded, the air is clear, and the chestnut woods and Donnas vineyards look their best before harvest. The low-altitude stage is walkable from late May to October, but June afternoons bring thunderstorms and July–August can top 30 °C on the exposed lower terraces.

How difficult is the Crest to Donnas stage?
It is rated moderate. There is little serious climbing — only about 300 m of gain to the Santuario di Retempio — but the day's defining feature is a sustained 1,130-metre descent from 1,170 m to 330 m. The challenge is on the knees rather than the lungs, so trekking poles and good footwear matter more than fitness for steep climbs.

How far is the trail and how long does it take?
Tappa 14 covers 14 km from Crest (1,170 m) to Donnas (330 m). Most hikers complete it in 4 to 5 hours of walking, in line with the 3–5 hour average the regional authority quotes for each stage of the Alta Via n. 2. Add time for the Santuario di Retempio and the Roman road, and budget a relaxed full day.

Where can I stay along this stage?
Near Crest and the upper Valle di Champorcher, rifugi and posti tappa charge roughly €25–€50 for a dorm bed with breakfast or €50–€70 for half board. In Donnas, B&Bs, agriturismi and small hotels run about €60–€110 for a double. Book well ahead for dates overlapping the Tor des Géants in early-to-mid September, when beds sell out.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No. The Alta Via n. 2 is a free public footpath, and Tappa 14 lies outside the Gran Paradiso National Park, so there are no entry fees or permits. Your only costs are accommodation, food and transport. Standard alpine rules apply: pack out all rubbish, respect the terraced farmland and vineyards on the descent, and avoid wild camping inside protected areas.