Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 5

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 5 is a 12-km point-to-point mountain trail in the Aosta Valley of north-west Italy, climbing from Planaval (1,554 m) to Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée (2,370 m) for roughly 816 m of elevation gain. Rated moderate, this single day stage threads the wild Valgrisenche and shares its path with the famous Tor des Géants ultra-trail.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 5

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is one of two long-distance high routes that traverse the Aosta Valley, the smallest and most mountainous of Italy's twenty regions. While the Alta Via n. 1 follows the northern flank beneath the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa, the Alta Via n. 2 runs along the southern, sun-facing side of the valley across 14 daily stages, linking Courmayeur in the west to Donnas in the east. Over its full length the route swings between a high point of 3,299 m and a valley-floor low of just 330 m, crossing seven lateral side-valleys: Val Veny, La Thuile, Valgrisenche, Rhêmes, Valsavarenche, Cogne and Champorcher.

Tappa 5 (Stage 5) is the segment that carries walkers entirely within the Valgrisenche, the wildest and least-developed of these tributary valleys. The stage begins at the hamlet of Planaval, a fraction of the comune of Arvier sitting at 1,554 m, passes the meadows of La Frassy at 1,673 m, and finishes at the welcoming Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée at 2,370 m. The walking distance is approximately 12 km, and most hikers cover it in 3 to 4 hours of effort — matching the route's overall pattern of 3 to 5 hours per stage. With 816 m of net ascent and a steady, well-graded climb, it sits comfortably in the moderate category: demanding enough to require fitness, but free of exposed scrambling or technical glacier travel.

The route is also part of mountaineering folklore. The opening section of the Alta Via n. 2 forms the first part of the course of the Tor des Géants, the 330-km endurance race that circuits the Aosta Valley each September, so on Stage 5 you are literally walking in the footsteps of one of the toughest trail-running events on Earth. For a day hiker, though, the rewards are quieter: larch forest, glacial streams and the broad amphitheatre of peaks closing off the head of the Valgrisenche. If you are tracking your daily energy needs on a climb like this, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is a useful companion before you set out.

Route Overview & Stages

The table below places Tappa 5 in the context of the surrounding stages of the Alta Via n. 2. Distances and elevations are drawn from the official Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta route descriptions; figures for adjacent stages are approximate and intended to help you plan a multi-day itinerary.

Within Stage 5 itself the profile is straightforward to read: a gentle start through Planaval, a sustained but uniform climb past La Frassy at 1,673 m, and a final pull through open alpine pasture to the refuge at 2,370 m. There are no significant intermediate descents, which makes the day's net gain of 816 m feel honest and predictable.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Planaval (1,554 m) — a tiny stone hamlet of Arvier and the stage trailhead, set at the mouth of the Valgrisenche with a small chapel and a waterfall ("plan-aval") that gives the village its name.
• La Frassy (1,673 m) — the intermediate larch-shaded clearing where the path eases briefly before the main climb; a good first water and snack stop.
• Valgrisenche valley — the most thinly populated side-valley in the entire Aosta Valley, prized for its quiet pastures, traditional drap wool weaving and lack of mass tourism.
• Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée (2,370 m) — the stage's destination, a privately run alpine refuge famed for its panoramic terrace and home-cooked Valdostan dishes.
• Larch and arolla pine forest — the lower half of the climb passes through some of the finest mixed conifer woodland in the region, brilliant gold in autumn.
• Tor des Géants corridor — Stage 5 coincides with the opening kilometres of the legendary 330-km ultra-trail, marked by yellow race signage in places.
• Grande Sassière and Rutor views — on clear days the head of the Valgrisenche reveals glaciated 3,000 m peaks, including the Rutor massif to the north-west.
• Alpine wildlife — marmots, chamois and golden eagles are regularly seen on the upper pastures around the refuge, close to the boundary of the Gran Paradiso protected landscape.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 5

The reliable hiking window for Stage 5 runs from late June to late September, dictated almost entirely by snow on the upper slopes around the 2,370 m refuge and by the operating calendar of the alpine huts. In a typical year the path is clear of significant snow from the third week of June, though after a heavy winter — and several recent ones have been heavy — patches can linger near the refuge into early July.

July and August bring the warmest, most stable conditions, with daytime temperatures of 18–24 °C at Planaval and 10–16 °C at the refuge, but they also coincide with Italian school holidays and the busiest huts. The single best month is September: the larches begin to turn gold, the crowds thin out after the Ferragosto peak, and the air is at its clearest for the high views toward the Rutor glaciers. As of 2026, the Tor des Géants is scheduled for the second week of September, so if you want solitude rather than a front-row seat to the race, aim for the first or last week of the month.

From October onward the first snowfalls arrive and most refuges close, while June afternoons can still deliver sharp thunderstorms. Whatever month you choose, start early: like most of the Alpine arc, the Valgrisenche tends to build cloud and storm cells from mid-afternoon in high summer, so reaching the refuge by 14:00 is a sensible target.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The natural overnight stop and the official end of Stage 5 is the Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée (2,370 m), a privately managed refuge open roughly from mid-June to mid-September. Expect to pay around €55–70 per person for half-board (dinner, bunk and breakfast), or about €25–30 for a bunk only; a hot shower is usually a few euros extra. Booking ahead by phone is essential in August and during the Tor des Géants period.

Lower down, the hamlet of Planaval and the nearby village of Valgrisenche offer a handful of small hotels, B&Bs and an agriturismo, typically €60–100 for a double room. Wild camping is restricted across the Aosta Valley; informal bivouac for a single night above the treeline is tolerated in practice but you should never pitch within the immediate surroundings of a refuge or on private pasture without permission. If you are dialling in your sleep system and base weight for hut-to-hut travel, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 covers loads in exactly this 8–12 kg range.

Getting There & Back

The gateway town is Aosta, served by direct trains from Turin (about 2 hours) and connected by motorway coach from Milan and Turin airports. From Aosta, regional ARRIVA Italia buses run up the main valley to Arvier and Avise; from there a connecting line climbs the Valgrisenche to Planaval, though services are sparse — often only two or three a day in summer — so check the current timetable carefully. By car, Planaval is roughly 40 minutes from Aosta via the SS26 and the SR25 Valgrisenche road, with limited free parking at the trailhead. The nearest international airports are Turin Caselle (about 1 hour 45 minutes' drive) and Geneva (about 2 hours via the Mont Blanc tunnel).

Permits & Fees

No permit or entry fee is required to walk Stage 5 of the Alta Via n. 2 — the trail is free and open to all on public footpaths. The Valgrisenche lies outside the strict boundary of the Gran Paradiso National Park, so the park's specific regulations do not apply to this particular stage, but standard alpine etiquette does: stay on marked paths, take all litter out, and keep dogs leashed around grazing livestock. Your only real costs are accommodation, meals and the local bus fare. Travel insurance that covers mountain rescue is strongly recommended, as helicopter evacuation in the Aosta Valley is chargeable.

Gear & Packing List

Stage 5 is a non-technical but genuine mountain day topping out at 2,370 m, so pack for rapid weather changes even in July. Essentials include sturdy B-rated hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip, trekking poles for the descent legs of a multi-day traverse, a warm mid-layer and waterproof shell, sun protection, and at least 1.5 litres of water capacity since reliable springs thin out above La Frassy. A headtorch, basic first-aid kit and a paper 1:25,000 map of the Valgrisenche round out the safety basics.

For a hut-to-hut traverse of the Alta Via n. 2 you do not need a full camping load, so a 35–55 litre pack is ideal. The Abisko Hike 35 is a comfortable choice for a refuge-based itinerary where you carry only sleeping liner, layers and food. If you prefer to go lighter and faster along the Tor des Géants corridor, the 2400 Windrider trims weight without sacrificing durability, while the larger Arc Blast 55L suits walkers who want to add a tent and a few extra days of food for the full 14-stage route.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high-route character of the Alta Via n. 2 appeals, Italy's Dolomites offer the most celebrated network of comparable multi-day traverses. The numbered alte vie of the Dolomites string together refuges across dramatic limestone scenery, ranging from gentle hut-to-hut walking to via ferrata variants, and make a natural next objective after the Graian Alps.

• 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 Balkan high-mountain hut experience with a similar moderate grade, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania is one of the best single-day mountain crossings in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Stage 5 of the Alta Via n. 2?

The reliable season runs from late June to late September, once snow clears from the 2,370 m refuge area and the huts open. September is the single best month: golden larches, clear views toward the Rutor glaciers and far fewer walkers than the busy July and August peak. Avoid October onward, when refuges close and the first snows arrive.

How difficult is the Alta Via n. 2 Tappa 5?

It is rated moderate. The 12-km stage climbs a steady 816 m from Planaval to Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée on well-marked, non-technical paths with no exposed scrambling or glacier travel. You need good general fitness and surefootedness for an alpine day, but no climbing skills or special equipment beyond standard hiking gear are required.

How long does Stage 5 take and what is the distance per day?

Stage 5 covers about 12 km and takes most hikers 3 to 4 hours of walking, in line with the Alta Via n. 2's typical 3-to-5-hour stages. It is designed as a single day's effort ending at the refuge, so you walk roughly 12 km that day. Allow extra time for photos, lunch and the inevitable afternoon weather watch.

Where can I stay along Stage 5?

The stage ends at Rifugio Chalet de l'Epée (2,370 m), open mid-June to mid-September, with half-board around €55–70 per person or a bunk only for about €25–30. Lower down, Planaval and Valgrisenche village offer small hotels, B&Bs and an agriturismo for roughly €60–100 a double. Book ahead in August and during the Tor des Géants.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee for Tappa 5?

No. Stage 5 follows free public footpaths and requires no permit or entry fee, and because the Valgrisenche sits outside the strict Gran Paradiso National Park boundary, the park's specific rules do not apply here. Your only costs are accommodation, meals and local bus fares. Carry travel insurance that covers chargeable mountain rescue, and follow standard leave-no-trace etiquette.

For authoritative, up-to-date stage descriptions and refuge contacts, consult the official Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta tourism database at lovevda.it, and for the neighbouring protected landscape and its wildlife regulations see the Gran Paradiso National Park official site.