Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8 is a 17-km point-to-point mountain trail in Valle d'Aosta, northwest Italy, climbing from Eaux-Rousses (1,658 m) over the Col du Loson (3,296 m) to Rifugio Vittorio Sella (2,584 m) and gaining roughly 1,640 m of ascent. Rated demanding (EE), it is the highest and most spectacular leg of the route, crossing the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park.

About the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

The Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta is a long-distance high route that runs along the southern (orographic right) side of the Aosta Valley, linking Courmayeur in the west to Donnas in the east across 14 daily stages. Managed by the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta, the full traverse threads seven lateral valleys — Val Veny, Vallone di La Thuile, Valgrisenche, Val di Rhêmes, Valsavarenche, Val di Cogne and Valle di Champorcher — and brushes the highest summits of the Graian Alps. Tappa 8 is its single most demanding and rewarding day.

This stage carries walkers from the hamlet of Eaux-Rousses in the Valsavarenche, at 1,658 metres, up to the Col du Loson at 3,296 metres — the highest point on the entire Alta Via n. 2 — before descending into the Val di Cogne to reach Rifugio Vittorio Sella at 2,584 metres. Over its 17 kilometres you accumulate around 1,640 metres of climbing and a little over 700 metres of descent, almost all of it inside Gran Paradiso National Park (Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso), Italy's oldest national park, established in 1922.

The route is unmistakably alpine. Above the larch forests the trail breaks onto open pasture, then rock and the last snowfields below the col, where ibex and chamois are a near-certain sight. Because the high pass sits just below 3,300 metres, the stage is genuinely seasonal: it is a summer-only undertaking, and even in midsummer the upper slopes can hold old snow. Tappa 8 also overlaps with part of the famous Tor des Géants ultramarathon, so the path is well marked, frequently maintained and easy to follow in clear weather. If you are planning your daily food load for a climb this big, our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day is a useful starting point.

Route Overview & Stages

Tappa 8 is best understood as four distinct sections: the valley approach, the climb to the Lévionaz pastures, the long push to the Col du Loson, and the descent to Rifugio Vittorio Sella. The table below breaks down the day, with the neighbouring stages shown for context.

Allow 7 to 8 hours of walking for Tappa 8, plus stops. The numbers above are practical estimates drawn from the official route description; the headline figures — 17 km, a high point of 3,296 m and roughly 1,640 m of ascent — are the ones to plan around.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Eaux-Rousses (1,658 m) — The Valsavarenche hamlet that starts the stage, named for the iron-tinged "red waters" of its springs. A handful of hotels and the valley road make it a logical overnight before the big climb.
• Lévionaz-désot pastures (2,303 m) — Open alpine meadows above the treeline, laced with old royal hunting tracks built for King Vittorio Emanuele II. A common rest and water stop before the gradient steepens.
• Col du Loson (3,296 m) — The roof of the Alta Via n. 2 and the emotional peak of the whole traverse. From the saddle the panorama stretches across the Gran Paradiso massif and back over the valleys already crossed.
• Gran Paradiso (4,061 m) — The only 4,000-metre peak entirely within Italy dominates the skyline. The col gives one of the finest free viewpoints of its glaciated north flank.
• Ibex and chamois colonies — The slopes around the col hold some of the densest Alpine ibex (stambecco) populations in Europe, the animal the 1922 national park was created to save. Sightings on Tappa 8 are almost guaranteed.
• Valle del Lauson — The high hanging valley on the Cogne side, a gentle glacial trough of streams and pasture that carries the descent toward the refuge.
• Rifugio Vittorio Sella (2,584 m) — The historic stone hut that ends the stage, built on a former royal hunting lodge and one of the busiest refuges in the park. A classic base for the Gran Paradiso ascent.
• Tor des Géants corridor — Tappa 8 shares its line with part of the 330-km Tor des Géants ultra, so expect crisp waymarking and a well-trodden path throughout.

Best Time to Hike the Alta Via n. 2 della Valle d'Aosta - Tappa 8

Because the Col du Loson sits at 3,296 metres, Tappa 8 has a short, sharp season. The realistic window runs from early July to late September, when the high pass is generally clear of continuous snow and the refuges are staffed. Outside this window the col can be impassable for hikers without mountaineering equipment.

For 2026, the single best month is August. By then most winter snow on the north-facing approach to the col has melted, daytime highs at refuge altitude sit around 12–18 °C, and Rifugio Vittorio Sella runs its full service. The trade-off is company: August is peak season across Gran Paradiso, so book beds well ahead. July can still carry residual snowfields just below the col after a heavy winter, while early-to-mid September offers cooler air, golden larches lower down and quieter trails — though refuge staffing winds down and the first autumn snowfalls become possible.

As of 2026, plan around afternoon thunderstorms, which build quickly on summer afternoons in the Graian Alps. Aim to be over the Col du Loson before midday and descending toward the Lauson valley by early afternoon. Always check the regional avalanche and weather bulletin and the refuge's own conditions before setting out, and treat any fresh snow on the pass as a turn-around signal rather than a challenge.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Tappa 8 is a refuge-to-refuge day, so accommodation falls naturally at each end. In Eaux-Rousses (start) there are small valley hotels and guesthouses, typically €70–110 for a double room, often with half board available. Mid-route there is the seasonal Rifugio Lévionaz area for an emergency stop, though most hikers push through to the end.

The stage finishes at Rifugio Vittorio Sella (2,584 m), a large CAI-style mountain hut. Expect roughly €25–30 for a dormitory bunk and around €55–70 for half board (bed, three-course dinner and breakfast). Members of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and reciprocal alpine clubs receive a discount. Bring a sleeping-bag liner, cash or a card (signal is unreliable), and reserve ahead in July and August — this is one of the most popular refuges in the park. Wild camping inside Gran Paradiso National Park is prohibited; brief bivouacs above 2,500 m are only tolerated between dusk and dawn in emergencies.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is Aosta, reached by train from Turin (Torino Porta Nuova) in about 2 hours via Chivasso/Ivrea. From Aosta, regional buses operated by local carriers run up the Valsavarenche to Eaux-Rousses in roughly 1–1.5 hours, with reduced frequency outside summer. The nearest major airports are Turin–Caselle (about 2 hours by road) and Geneva (about 2 hours via the Mont Blanc tunnel). At the far end, descend from Rifugio Vittorio Sella to Valnontey/Cogne (Tappa 9), where buses connect back to Aosta in around 1 hour. Driving and leaving a car at the trailhead is awkward for a point-to-point stage, so most hikers rely on the valley bus network. Check the regional transport portal for current timetables before you travel.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk Tappa 8 — Gran Paradiso National Park is freely accessible to hikers on foot, with no entry fee. There is no charge for crossing the Col du Loson. Your only fixed costs are refuge nights, meals and valley transport. Park regulations still apply throughout: stay on marked trails, take all rubbish out, do not pick flowers or disturb wildlife, and keep dogs on a lead (dogs are restricted in core wildlife zones). For official route data, the Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta publishes the full stage on its tourism portal at lovevda.it, and park rules and wildlife information are maintained by the Gran Paradiso National Park authority.

Gear & Packing List

Tappa 8 is a serious high-altitude day with 1,640 metres of climbing to nearly 3,300 metres, so your kit should match alpine conditions even in midsummer. Pack a warm insulating layer, hat and gloves for the col, a waterproof shell, sun protection (UV is fierce at altitude), at least 2 litres of water capacity, and trekking poles for the long descent into the Lauson valley. Microspikes are worth carrying in early July if snow lingers on the pass.

For a refuge-to-refuge stage you do not need a full camping load, which makes a light, well-fitted pack ideal. A 35–55 litre pack covers a multi-day Alta Via section comfortably. Good options include the Abisko Hike 35 for a supported refuge traverse, the 2400 Windrider for a lighter setup, or the larger Arc Haul Ultra 50L if you are carrying gear for the whole route. If you are weighing up which pack to buy, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 tests and ranks seven leading models. Keep your overall load light: every kilogram saved is felt acutely on the climb to the Col du Loson.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high passes and refuge culture of the Alta Via n. 2 appeal, Italy's Dolomites offer a string of equally storied high routes. These traverses share the same refuge-to-refuge rhythm, alpine scenery and waymarked stages, and make natural next objectives once you have the Valle d'Aosta in your legs.

• 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 wilder, less developed multi-day option abroad, the cross-border Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers a comparable high-pass day in the Accursed Mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike Tappa 8 of the Alta Via n. 2?
The reliable window is early July to late September, when the 3,296-metre Col du Loson is generally snow-free and refuges are staffed. August is the single best month for 2026: the pass is clear, temperatures are mildest and Rifugio Vittorio Sella runs full service. Expect crowds, and book beds early. Avoid winter and spring entirely.

How difficult is Tappa 8?
It is the hardest day on the Alta Via n. 2, rated EE (for expert hikers). You climb about 1,640 metres to 3,296 metres at the Col du Loson, the route's highest point, over 17 kilometres. There is no technical climbing, but the altitude, sustained ascent and possible snow near the col demand fitness, good footwear and an early start.

How long does Tappa 8 take and how far is it?
The stage is 17 kilometres from Eaux-Rousses to Rifugio Vittorio Sella, and most hikers take 7 to 8 hours of walking, plus rest and photo stops. It is designed as a single full day rather than something to split. Starting early — ideally by 7 a.m. — keeps you ahead of afternoon thunderstorms over the col.

Where can I stay along the route?
The stage runs refuge-to-refuge. Eaux-Rousses has valley hotels at roughly €70–110 per double, while the stage ends at Rifugio Vittorio Sella (2,584 m), where a dorm bunk costs about €25–30 and half board around €55–70. Reserve in July and August, bring a liner and cash, and note that wild camping is banned inside the park.

Do I need a permit to hike Tappa 8?
No permit and no entry fee are required. Gran Paradiso National Park is freely open to hikers on foot, and crossing the Col du Loson is free. Your only costs are refuge stays, meals and valley buses. Standard park rules apply: stay on marked trails, carry out all waste, leave wildlife and plants undisturbed, and keep dogs leashed.