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

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 2 is an 18-km point-to-point alpine trail in the Aosta Valley of northwest Italy, climbing roughly 450 m to the Col des Chavannes (2,603 m) before a long descent to La Thuile. Rated moderate and walkable in a single 5–6 hour day, it pairs Mont Blanc panoramas with quiet high pastures.

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

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is one of two long-distance high routes that traverse the Aosta Valley, the small French-speaking autonomous region tucked against Italy's borders with France and Switzerland. While the better-known Alta Via 1 follows the northern flank beneath the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, the Alta Via 2 runs along the southern side of the valley, linking Courmayeur with Donnas across the Graian Alps over 14 daily stages. It crosses seven lateral valleys — Veny, La Thuile, Grisanche, Rhêmes, Savarenche, Cogne and Champorcher — and skirts the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's oldest national park, established in 1922.

Tappa 2 (Stage 2) is the section that drops out of the Mont Blanc massif and into the La Thuile valley. It begins at the Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini (2,168 m), a busy refuge at the head of the Val Veny beneath the Glacier de la Lée Blanche, and ends in the resort village of La Thuile (1,435 m). The route is managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta and waymarked as part of the regional walking network with the standard yellow-and-black Alta Via 2 signs. At 18 km with a single significant climb to the Col des Chavannes (2,603 m), it is one of the more forgiving stages on the route — the bulk of the day is spent descending nearly 1,170 vertical metres on broad mule tracks and old military roads.

What makes this stage memorable is the contrast. You start in glacier country, with the Aiguille des Glaciers and the Lée Blanche icefall filling the skyline behind you, then walk a long balcony along the Vallon des Chavannes that opens onto some of the finest rear views of the Mont Blanc range on the entire Italian side. By afternoon you are among grazing cattle, larch woods and the bell tower of La Thuile. It is a stage that rewards an early start and a slow pace.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below places Tappa 2 in the context of the wider Alta Via 2 and breaks the stage into its main segments. The full traverse runs from Courmayeur to Donnas; the figures for the surrounding stages are approximate and vary slightly between published guides.

Stage 2 itself totals 18 km. The defining number is the descent: from the Col des Chavannes at 2,603 m you lose around 1,170 m by the time you reach La Thuile, so this is a stage where strong knees and trekking poles matter more than aerobic fitness.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini (2,168 m) — The starting refuge, set on a glacial terrace beneath the Lée Blanche icefall. A classic Mont Blanc-area hut and a popular overnight stop on both the Alta Via 2 and the Tour du Mont Blanc.
• Vallon des Chavannes — A broad, gently rising glacial valley of pasture and stream that you follow up to the pass. Marmots are common here in summer.
• Col des Chavannes (2,603 m) — The high point of the stage and the best viewpoint, offering a sweeping rear panorama of the Mont Blanc massif including the Aiguille des Glaciers and the Italian Val Veny.
• Alpe des Chavannes — Working summer alpine pastures (alpeggi) where Fontina cheese is still made; you may pass herds and dairy huts on the descent.
• Alpe Porassey (1,900 m) — A pasture shoulder marking the transition from open mountainside into the wooded lower valley.
• Larch and stone-pine woods above La Thuile — The final descent winds through mixed conifer forest, a welcome shaded section on warm afternoons.
• Cascate del Rutor — A short detour from La Thuile reaches the three-tiered Rutor waterfalls, one of the valley's signature sights and the gateway to Stage 3.
• La Thuile (1,435 m) — The end point, a year-round resort village with shops, a tourist office, and bus links down to the main valley.

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

The trail is a high-alpine route, and the realistic walking window runs from late June to late September. The Col des Chavannes at 2,603 m holds snow well into early summer, and the staffed refuges that make a multi-day Alta Via 2 traverse practical only open for the summer season.

The single best month is July. By early to mid-July the col is reliably clear of snow in most years, the alpine meadows of the Vallon des Chavannes are in full bloom, daylight is long, and the refuges are fully staffed. Daytime temperatures at La Thuile sit around 18–22 °C, dropping toward freezing at the col on early mornings. August is equally snow-free and warm but considerably busier, as this is peak Italian and European holiday season and the nearby Tour du Mont Blanc funnels crowds through Rifugio Elisabetta.

September is a strong second choice for hikers who want quieter trails, crisp air and the first golden tints in the larch woods, but check refuge closing dates carefully — many shut by mid-to-late September. As of 2026, the Aosta Valley continues to see earlier and more variable snowmelt linked to a warming alpine climate, so always verify current snow conditions on the col and refuge opening dates before committing to a date. Afternoon thunderstorms are the main weather hazard from July onward; the standard rule applies — start early and aim to be over the Col des Chavannes by late morning.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Stage 2 brackets two very different lodging worlds. At the start, the Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini Montanaro (2,168 m) is a classic staffed mountain hut; a dormitory bed with half board (dinner and breakfast) typically runs around €60–70 per person, with members of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and reciprocal alpine clubs receiving a discount. Booking ahead is essential in July and August because the hut is shared with Tour du Mont Blanc traffic.

At the finish, La Thuile offers the full range of valley accommodation: B&Bs and small hotels from roughly €70–110 per double room, plus self-catering apartments and a campsite in the valley. If you are continuing to Stage 3, the next hut is the Rifugio Albert Deffeyes above the Rutor glacier, again around €60–70 with half board. Wild camping is restricted in the Aosta Valley and generally limited to high-altitude bivouac above 2,500 m between dusk and dawn — plan to use refuges and valley lodging instead.

Getting There & Back

The nearest international airports are Turin (Caselle), about 2 hours by road from the Aosta Valley, and Geneva, roughly 1.5–2 hours from Courmayeur via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. The valley's rail line ends at Aosta station; from Pré-Saint-Didier and Courmayeur, regional SAVDA/ARRIVA buses connect down the valley and up to La Thuile. La Thuile is served by bus from Pré-Saint-Didier (about 30 minutes), which in turn links to Aosta by bus and train. To reach the Rifugio Elisabetta trailhead, most hikers take the seasonal shuttle bus up the Val Veny from Courmayeur to Lago di Combal, then walk in — or arrive on foot from Stage 1. Always check the regional Valle d'Aosta public transport pages for current seasonal timetables, as the Val Veny shuttle only runs in summer.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to hike the Alta Via 2 or to enter the Gran Paradiso National Park on foot — access is free and unrestricted on marked trails. There is no fee for Tappa 2 itself. Your only fixed costs are refuge or hotel nights, food, and the seasonal Val Veny shuttle bus. Drone use, off-trail camping and collecting plants are restricted within and around the national park; full route and regulation details are published by the regional authority on the official Valle d'Aosta Alte Vie database.

Gear & Packing List

This is a high-alpine day stage with a big descent, so pack for mountain weather even in midsummer. Essentials: sturdy waterproof hiking boots, trekking poles (your knees will thank you on the 1,170 m drop to La Thuile), a warm mid-layer, a waterproof shell, sun protection for the exposed col, and at least 1.5 litres of water. If you are walking the full Alta Via 2 hut-to-hut, a lightweight pack keeps the daily climbs manageable — something in the 35–55 litre range is ideal. Good options include the 2400 Windrider for fast-and-light hikers, the more supportive Atmos AG 50 for multi-day comfort, and the Abisko Hike 35 for those carrying less between staffed refuges. If you want help choosing, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 tests seven packs head to head. Because refuge half board covers your evening meal, your food planning is mostly about trail snacks and lunch — and a long descent day still burns serious energy, as our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day explains.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the rhythm of an Italian numbered high route appeals to you, the Dolomites offer the most famous family of Alte Vie — longer, more exposed and equally well served by refuges. Each links a chain of mountain huts across dramatic limestone terrain, making them a natural next objective after the Aosta Valley.

• 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 style of point-to-point mountain crossing in the Balkans, see our guide on how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Alta Via 2 Stage 2?

July is the best month. By mid-July the Col des Chavannes (2,603 m) is reliably free of snow, alpine meadows are in bloom, daylight is long, and the refuges are fully staffed. August is equally snow-free but much busier, while September brings quieter trails and autumn colour — just confirm refuge closing dates, as many shut by late September.

How difficult is Stage 2 of the Alta Via 2?

It is a moderate stage by Alta Via standards. There is only one real climb — about 450 m up to the Col des Chavannes — followed by a long 1,170 m descent to La Thuile. The trail is well marked on mule tracks and old roads with no technical scrambling, so the main challenge is the sustained downhill, which is hard on the knees. Trekking poles are strongly recommended.

How long is Stage 2 and how many hours does it take?

Stage 2 covers 18 km from Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini (2,168 m) to La Thuile (1,435 m). Most fit hikers complete it in 5 to 6 hours of walking, plus stops. Because the route is net downhill after the initial climb to the col, the time is governed more by the long descent than by elevation gain. Starting early helps you clear the pass before afternoon storms.

Where can I stay along Stage 2?

The stage runs between staffed accommodation at both ends. Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini at the start offers dormitory beds with half board for roughly €60–70 per person. La Thuile at the finish has hotels and B&Bs from around €70–110 per double, apartments and a valley campsite. Wild camping is restricted in the Aosta Valley, so plan around refuges and village lodging.

Do I need a permit to hike Stage 2?

No. There is no permit or entry fee for the Alta Via 2 or for walking through the Gran Paradiso National Park on marked trails — access is free. Your only costs are accommodation, food, and the seasonal Val Veny shuttle bus to the trailhead. Note that drones, off-trail camping and plant collection are restricted in and around the national park.