Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 4

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 4 is a 16-km point-to-point trail in Italy's Aosta Valley, descending from Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes (2,500 m) to Planaval (1,554 m) while gaining roughly 380 m of climbing over the Col de la Crosatie (2,828 m) in a single day. Rated demanding, it is a high alpine crossing linking the Vallone di La Thuile to the wild Valgrisenche.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 4

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is one of two great high-level routes that traverse the Aosta Valley, the Italian Alpine region tucked against the French and Swiss borders. While the better-known Alta Via n. 1 follows the northern flank beneath the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, the Alta Via n. 2 hugs the southern side of the valley, crossing the Graian Alps from Courmayeur in the west to Donnas in the east. The full traverse covers 14 daily stages, each averaging three to five hours of walking, and passes through the Gran Paradiso National Park, the oldest national park in Italy.

Tappa 4 — Stage 4 — is the section that lifts you out of the Vallone di La Thuile and drops you into the deep, glacially carved Valgrisenche. Beginning at the modern Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes at 2,500 m, the day's route climbs north-east toward the Col de la Crosatie at around 2,828 m, the high point of the stage, before making a long and sustained descent to the hamlet of Planaval (1,554 m) in the commune of Arvier. At roughly 16 km, it is a full mountain day that combines a glacier-fringed amphitheatre, a rocky col crossing and a knee-testing descent through larch forest.

The route is maintained by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta and signposted with the characteristic yellow Alta Via 2 markers and triangular blazes. Because the trail crosses exposed alpine terrain above 2,800 m, it is firmly a summer-only undertaking and should be treated with the same respect as any high mountain pass. The reward is solitude: the Valgrisenche is one of the least-visited valleys in the Aosta region, and the views back toward the Rutor glacier and the Mont Blanc massif are among the finest on the whole traverse.

Route Overview & Stages

Stage 4 sits in the western half of the Alta Via n. 2. The table below places it in context with the stages immediately around it, so you can see how the day fits into a multi-day itinerary. Distances and elevation figures are approximate and based on official route descriptions from the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta.

Note the elevation gain figure for Stage 4 is modest because you start high at the Deffeyes refuge, but the descent of nearly 1,280 m to Planaval makes the day feel longer than its profile suggests. Trekking poles are genuinely useful on the lower section.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes (2,500 m) — The stage's starting point, a modern, eco-conscious refuge perched above the Rutor lakes with panoramic terraces facing the glacier. It is named after a Valdostan partisan and politician.
• Lago del Rutor & the Rutor glacier — In the first hour the trail skirts the chain of lakes fed by the Ghiacciaio del Rutor, one of the larger glaciers in the Aosta Valley, with the icefall visible to the south-west.
• Col de la Crosatie (2,828 m) — The high point and crux of the day, a rocky notch in the ridge dividing the La Thuile basin from the Valgrisenche. The col offers a sweeping panorama back toward the Mont Blanc massif on clear mornings.
• Vallone di Planaval — The upper hanging valley you descend into after the col, a quiet pasture basin grazed by cattle through the summer months.
• Larch and pine forest of the Valgrisenche — The lower descent threads through old larch woodland, providing welcome shade and a striking colour change in autumn.
• Planaval (1,554 m) — The stage's end, a tiny hamlet of stone houses in the commune of Arvier, with a waterfall nearby and a handful of accommodation options.
• Arvier valley vineyards — Lower down toward the main valley, Arvier is known for its Enfer d'Arvier red wine, grown on some of the highest vineyard terraces in Europe.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 4

This stage is a high-altitude crossing that tops out at 2,828 m, so the practical window is narrow. Snow lingers on the northern approach to the Col de la Crosatie well into early summer, and the staffed season at Rifugio Deffeyes runs roughly from late June to mid-September. The realistic hiking season is therefore late June through late September.

July and August bring the most reliable weather, the warmest temperatures and full refuge service, but they are also the busiest weeks and the most prone to afternoon thunderstorms over the Graian Alps. June can still hold snow patches on the col, which complicates the crossing for hikers without basic snow experience. Early September is the single best month: the high snow has melted, the larches begin to turn gold, the air is stable and clear, and the crowds of the Italian summer holidays have thinned. As of 2026, alpine refuges in the Aosta Valley continue to recommend booking ahead even in September, as bed numbers are limited.

Whatever month you choose, start early. Aim to be over the Col de la Crosatie by late morning to beat the typical afternoon storm cycle, and always check the regional avalanche and mountain weather bulletin before setting out. Outside the late-June-to-September window, the route should be considered a mountaineering objective rather than a hike.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The natural base for the start of Stage 4 is Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes (2,500 m). A half-board bed (dinner, dormitory, breakfast) typically costs around €60–70 per person, with Italian Alpine Club (CAI) members receiving a discount. At the far end, Planaval and nearby Valgrisenche offer small guesthouses and a refuge-style albergo; expect roughly €50–80 for a room or half-board. Wild camping above the tree line is restricted across the Aosta Valley and prohibited within the Gran Paradiso National Park, so plan around staffed huts rather than a tent. Always reserve refuge beds in advance during July and August, and carry cash, as card payment is unreliable at altitude.

Getting There & Back

The gateway city is Aosta, reachable by train from Turin in about two hours; the nearest major airport is Turin (Caselle), roughly 1.5–2 hours away by car, with Geneva and Milan Malpensa as larger alternatives within three hours. From Aosta, regional SAVDA and Arriva buses serve the side valleys. To reach the start, you generally travel to La Thuile and walk up to Rifugio Deffeyes; to return from Planaval, descend to Arvier on the main valley road, where buses connect back to Aosta in roughly 30–40 minutes. Plan connections carefully, as mountain bus services are infrequent and reduced outside July and August.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Stage 4 of the Alta Via n. 2, and there is no entry fee for the trail itself. The route is free to access. Your only fixed costs are accommodation, meals at the refuges, and local transport. If your wider itinerary continues into the Gran Paradiso National Park on later stages, standard park rules apply — stay on marked paths and do not camp — but no day-use ticket is needed.

Gear & Packing List

This is a serious alpine day with a high col crossing, so your kit should match. Carry a 35–50 litre pack for hut-to-hut travel — something like the Abisko Hike 35 for a light load, or the larger Atmos AG 50 if you are carrying extra layers and food for several stages. Ultralight hikers chasing minimum weight on a full traverse often prefer a frameless option such as the 2400 Windrider. For a deeper comparison, see our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.

Essentials for the col crossing: trekking poles for the long descent to Planaval, a windproof and waterproof shell, a warm mid-layer for the 2,800 m pass, sun protection and a brimmed hat for the exposed glacier section, at least 1.5 litres of water capacity, and a basic first-aid kit. In June, microspikes can be useful if snow lingers on the col. Because refuge meals are calorie-dense but spaced far apart, pack high-energy trail snacks — our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day helps you estimate the right amount for a 16 km mountain stage.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-altitude, hut-to-hut character of the Alta Via n. 2 appeals, Italy's other numbered Alte Vie offer equally spectacular multi-day traverses, most of them in the Dolomites rather than the Graian Alps. These routes share the same refuge-based logistics and demanding alpine terrain, making them natural next adventures.

• 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 different kind of dramatic mountain crossing outside Italy, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania delivers a comparable pass-crossing experience in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Stage 4 of the Alta Via n. 2?
Early September is the ideal window. By then the snow has cleared from the Col de la Crosatie at 2,828 m, the weather is stable, the larch forest is turning gold, and the summer crowds have thinned. The broader season runs from late June to late September, matching the staffed period of Rifugio Deffeyes.

How difficult is this stage?
It is a demanding alpine day. While the net elevation gain is only around 380 m because you start high, the stage covers 16 km and includes a 2,828 m col crossing followed by a sustained descent of nearly 1,280 m to Planaval. Sure footing, basic mountain experience and trekking poles are strongly recommended; early-season snow can add difficulty.

How long does Stage 4 take to walk?
Most fit hikers complete the 16 km from Rifugio Deffeyes to Planaval in about six to seven hours of walking, plus stops. As a single stage it is designed to be done in one day, but the long descent makes it tiring, so allow extra time and start early to clear the col before any afternoon thunderstorms develop.

Where can I sleep along the route?
Rifugio Alberto Deffeyes (2,500 m) anchors the start, with half-board around €60–70 per person. At the end, Planaval and nearby Valgrisenche offer small guesthouses and refuge-style lodging for roughly €50–80. Wild camping is restricted, so plan around staffed huts and book ahead in July and August.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No permit or fee is required to hike Stage 4 of the Alta Via n. 2. The trail is free and open to all. Your only costs are refuge accommodation, meals and local transport. If later stages enter the Gran Paradiso National Park, standard park rules apply, but no day-use ticket or paid entry is needed.

For official route details, current refuge status and the latest signage updates, consult the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta tourism portal, and check protected-area regulations for connecting stages via the Gran Paradiso National Park official website before you set out.