Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 6

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 6 is a 7-km point-to-point trail in the Valle d'Aosta region of north-west Italy, gaining roughly 470 m of elevation over a single day before dropping into the Val di Rhêmes. Rated moderate, it crosses the Col Fenêtre at 2,840 m and links the Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée to the village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 6

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is one of two long-distance high routes that traverse the Aosta Valley, the autonomous Alpine region tucked between Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and the Gran Paradiso. The full Alta Via 2 runs 14 daily stages from Courmayeur (1,224 m) in the west to Donnas (330 m) in the east, climbing as high as 3,299 m and crossing seven side valleys along the southern flank of the valley. It is managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta and waymarked throughout with the distinctive yellow triangle bearing the number 2.

Tappa 6 is the sixth daily stage of that traverse. It is a short but characterful 7-km point-to-point leg that begins at the Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée (2,370 m), high above the Valgrisenche, climbs to the Col Fenêtre at 2,840 m, and then descends some 1,120 m into the hamlet of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (1,722 m) at the head of the Val di Rhêmes. Despite the modest horizontal distance, the day delivers a complete mountain experience: an open balcony climb, a genuine alpine col with panoramic views, and a long, knee-testing drop through larch forest into a quiet glacial valley.

The Alta Via 2 is sometimes nicknamed the "high route of the chamois" (l'Alta Via dei camosci) because so much of it threads through the Gran Paradiso National Park, Italy's oldest national park, established in 1922. Although Tappa 6 itself sits on the park's western boundary rather than deep inside it, the wildlife, the dry-stone alpine pastures and the silence are unmistakably of that protected world. For hikers walking the whole traverse, this stage also forms part of the celebrated Tor des Géants ultra-endurance route, which reuses long sections of the Alta Via network.

Route Overview & Stages

Tappa 6 is a single day within the larger 14-stage traverse. The table below places it in context alongside its neighbouring stages so you can see how it connects, with the figures for Stage 6 itself broken out in detail.

The day breaks naturally into two halves. From the Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée the trail climbs steadily north-east across open alpine meadow for roughly 470 m to gain the Col Fenêtre at 2,840 m — typically 1.5 to 2 hours of effort. From the col, the path turns to descend the eastern side, losing about 1,120 m over the remaining distance through high pasture and then larch and pine woodland to reach Rhêmes-Notre-Dame at 1,722 m. Expect a total moving time of roughly 3 to 4 hours, with the descent demanding the most attention.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée (2,370 m) — the stage start, a refuge perched on a grassy shoulder high above the Valgrisenche with a wide outlook toward the Rutor glacier and the surrounding 3,000 m peaks.
• Col Fenêtre (2,840 m) — the high point and crux of the day, a narrow notch (the name means "window") that frames views back over the Valgrisenche and forward into the Val di Rhêmes.
• Val di Rhêmes — the long, glacier-fed valley you descend into, one of the quietest and least-developed of the Aosta side valleys, bordered by the Gran Paradiso National Park.
• Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (1,722 m) — the stage finish, a small mountain commune of barely 100 residents that serves as a base for walks toward the Granta Parey (3,387 m).
• Granta Parey — the pyramid-shaped peak of 3,387 m that dominates the head of the Val di Rhêmes and is visible on the descent.
• Alpine pastures (alpeggi) — working summer farms scattered across the col approach, where Fontina cheese is still produced from the milk of grazing cattle.
• Larch and Arolla pine forest — the wooded belt on the lower descent, ablaze with golden colour in autumn and home to chamois, marmots and bearded vultures reintroduced across the wider park.
• Tor des Géants corridor — this stage shares its line with the legendary 330-km ultra race, so you may share the trail with runners in early September.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 6

The realistic walking window for this high stage runs from late June to late September. Because the route tops out at 2,840 m on the Col Fenêtre, snow lingers on the northern approaches and in shaded gullies well into June, and the first significant snowfalls can return by early October. Outside this season the col can require an ice axe and proper alpine judgement rather than hiking boots.

The single best month to hike Tappa 6 is September. By then the snow has fully cleared, the summer afternoon thunderstorms that build over the Graian Alps in July and August have eased, the larches are beginning to turn gold, and the refuges are still open. Daytime temperatures at valley level sit around 15–18 °C, while it can hover near freezing at dawn on the col, so layers are essential. July and August are warmer and have the most reliable refuge opening but bring crowds and a higher thunderstorm risk; aim to be over the col by early afternoon.

As of 2026, alpine guides across the Aosta Valley continue to report receding snowfields and earlier melt-out at altitude, which can make the col passable a little sooner in the season — but it also means more exposed rock and looser footing late in summer. Always check the current refuge and trail bulletins before you set out, and treat any morning with building cloud over the Gran Paradiso as a signal to start early.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The stage is bracketed by mountain accommodation at both ends, which is why it works as a self-contained day. At the start, the Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée (2,370 m) offers dormitory beds and meals; a bunk with half-board (dinner, bed and breakfast) typically costs around €55–65 per person, with a bed-only rate nearer €25–30. At the finish, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame has small hotels, guesthouses (chambres d'hôtes) and a campsite; expect roughly €70–110 for a double room in a village hotel and around €10–15 per person per night for a pitch at the local campsite. Booking ahead is strongly advised in July and August and essential around the Tor des Géants in early September. Wild camping is restricted in the wider Gran Paradiso National Park area, so plan to use established sites or refuges.

Getting There & Back

The nearest mainline railway station is Aosta, about 30 km north, which connects to Turin and the wider Italian network. The nearest international airports are Turin Caselle (about 2 hours by road) and Geneva (about 2.5 hours). From Aosta, regional ARRIVA / VITA buses run up the Val di Rhêmes to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, though services are limited to a few daily departures and are most frequent in summer — the journey takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. Reaching the Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée at the start usually means walking in from the Valgrisenche (served seasonally by bus from Aosta) as the previous stage, since there is no direct road to the refuge. Drivers should note that the two trailheads are in different valleys, so a point-to-point stage requires either a two-car shuttle or reliance on the valley buses.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Tappa 6, and there is no fee to enter the Gran Paradiso National Park on foot. You pay only for what you use — refuge beds, meals and camping pitches. If you intend to walk the full Alta Via 2, no overarching permit exists either; the route is free to hike, and the only formal cost is overnight accommodation. Standard Alpine courtesy applies: register your intended route at refuges, carry out all rubbish, and respect the park's wildlife rules, which prohibit picking flora and disturbing animals.

Gear & Packing List

This is a high-mountain day with a 2,840 m col, big descent and fast-changing weather, so pack for genuine alpine conditions even in midsummer. The essentials are a waterproof shell and warm mid-layer, hat and gloves for the col, sun protection, at least 1.5 litres of water, trekking poles to spare your knees on the 1,120 m descent, and a headtorch if you start early. If you are walking the full traverse hut-to-hut, weight matters enormously over 14 days, so a light, well-fitted pack pays for itself.

For a multi-day traverse, a frameless or lightweight pack in the 50–55 L range carries everything comfortably without excess heft — consider the Arc Blast 55L or the slightly burlier 2400 Windrider. For a supported single day or a lighter kit, a 35 L pack such as the Abisko Hike 35 is ample. If you are tuning your whole setup, our guide to the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 walks through seven tested options. And because a stage like this can burn well over 3,000 kcal, it is worth reading how many calories you need hiking a full day before you plan your trail food.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Aosta Valley high routes appeal, the Italian Alps and Dolomites offer a deep bench of comparable multi-stage traverses. The most famous are the numbered Alte Vie of the Dolomites — long, hut-to-hut high routes that share the same waymarking philosophy as the Alta Via 2 but trade glaciated granite for the pale limestone towers of the eastern Alps. The following routes make natural next objectives:

• 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

If you want to broaden beyond Italy, the Balkans offer raw, high-mountain crossings of a similar character — our walkthrough of how to hike the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania covers another spectacular single-day pass crossing.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Alta Via 2 Stage 6?
September is the single best month. By then the snow has melted off the Col Fenêtre (2,840 m), the summer thunderstorm pattern has eased, refuges are still open and the larch forest is turning gold. The broader season runs late June to late September; before and after that, the col can hold snow and require alpine equipment.

How difficult is the stage?
It is rated moderate. The 7 km hides real work: a steady 470 m climb to the col followed by a long 1,120 m descent into Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. The trail is well marked and needs no technical skills in summer, but the sustained downhill is hard on the knees, so trekking poles and sure footing are strongly recommended.

How long does Stage 6 take per day?
Most hikers complete the 7 km in about 3 to 4 hours of moving time. The Aosta Valley authority describes Alta Via 2 stages as 3 to 5 hours of walking each, and Tappa 6 sits at the shorter end. Allow extra time for photos at the Col Fenêtre and rests on the long descent, making a half-day outing realistic.

What accommodation is available?
The Rifugio Chalet de l'Épée (2,370 m) anchors the start, with half-board around €55–65 per person. Rhêmes-Notre-Dame at the finish offers village hotels (roughly €70–110 a double), guesthouses and a campsite (about €10–15 per pitch). Book ahead in July, August and during the early-September Tor des Géants race.

Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No permit is required to walk Stage 6, and entering the Gran Paradiso National Park on foot is free. You pay only for refuge beds, meals and campsites you use. The same applies to the full Alta Via 2 — there is no overarching permit. Wild camping is restricted in the park, so use established sites or refuges.

For authoritative, up-to-date stage details consult the official regional tourism database at Lovevda — Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, and for park rules and wildlife information see the Gran Paradiso National Park official site before you travel.