Via Alpina Red R118

The Via Alpina Red R118 is an approximately 16-km point-to-point mountain stage in Italy's Aosta Valley, running from Cérellaz near Avise to the village of Valgrisenche and gaining roughly 1,100 m of elevation across one demanding day. Rated moderately strenuous, it threads quiet larch forests and high pasture below glaciated peaks on the world-famous Red Trail.

About the Via Alpina Red R118

The Via Alpina Red R118 is a single stage of the Red Trail, the longest of the five Via Alpina routes. The full Red Trail stretches across all eight Alpine countries — Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Italy, France and Monaco — over 161 numbered stages (R1 to R161), beginning at Muggia near Trieste on the Adriatic and finishing at Monaco on the Mediterranean. R118 sits roughly two-thirds of the way along, deep in the western Aosta Valley (Valle d'Aosta) of northwest Italy.

This particular stage covers the section from Cérellaz to Valgrisenche. Cérellaz is a hamlet on the orographic right of the Dora Baltea valley, close to the village of Avise, while Valgrisenche is the principal settlement of the side valley that shares its name. The OSM route data describes the segment simply as "Cérellaz – Valgrisenche," and the operator of record is the international association via-alpina.org, which coordinates waymarking and stage descriptions across the entire network.

The Via Alpina was established in 2000 by a partnership of public and private bodies from the eight Alpine states and received European Union funding from 2001 to 2008. Since January 2014 its secretariat has been hosted by CIPRA in Liechtenstein. As part of the International Walking Network (IWN), R118 carries the same red-and-white waymarks and stage signage you find on every Red Trail section, making navigation straightforward for walkers who know the system.

R118 belongs to the cluster of Aosta Valley stages (roughly R115 to R123) that link the Swiss Alpine sections — entering Italy near the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard — with the French Alps further west. It is a transitional stage in the best sense: you leave the broad, settled main valley and climb into the wilder, glacier-fringed Valgrisenche, one of the quietest of the Aosta side valleys.

Route Overview & Stages

R118 is a point-to-point day. Because the Via Alpina publishes only approximate figures for many Italian stages, treat the numbers below as planning estimates and confirm them against the on-site signage and the official stage page before you set out. The table breaks the day into its three natural phases.

The day reads as a long climb out of the main valley, a sustained high traverse, and a descent into the head of a glacial side valley. Expect a total moving time of six to seven hours for a reasonably fit walker, plus stops. There are few water sources on the exposed upper sections, so fill up at the hamlets early.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Cérellaz & Avise — The stage starts among the terraced fields and stone hamlets above Avise, a village of around 300 residents guarding the western Dora Baltea, with a medieval tower house visible from the trail.
• Larch forests of the Dora Baltea slopes — The lower climb passes through open larch woodland that turns gold in late September, a hallmark of the Aosta Valley's south-facing flanks.
• High alpage pastures — Working summer farms ("alpeggi") dot the traverse, where producers still make Fontina DOP cheese from cows grazing above 2,000 m.
• Grand-Combin views — On clear days the 4,314 m Grand-Combin massif dominates the northern skyline across the Aosta Valley toward the Swiss border.
• Valgrisenche village — The stage end is a tranquil mountain commune of roughly 180 inhabitants, the highest in the valley and famed for its traditional "drap" woven wool cloth.
• Grande Sassière & Rutor glaciers — The head of the Valgrisenche is ringed by glaciated 3,000-plus-metre peaks, including the Grande Sassière (3,751 m), feeding the Beauregard reservoir upstream.
• Beauregard dam & lake — A short walk beyond the village lies the Beauregard reservoir, a striking artificial lake set beneath the Italian–French watershed.
• Gran Paradiso fringe — Valgrisenche sits on the western edge of the wider Gran Paradiso massif region, Italy's oldest national park area, with chamois and ibex commonly seen on the heights.

Best Time to Hike the Via Alpina Red R118

R118 is a high alpine stage, and its walkable window is short. The realistic season runs from late June to late September, when the upper pastures and traverses are reliably clear of snow. Outside this window, lingering snowfields on the high sections and reduced hut and transport service make the stage hazardous or impractical.

The single best month to hike R118 is September. By early September of 2026 the summer thunderstorm pattern has eased, daytime temperatures at altitude sit around a comfortable 12–18 °C, the larch begins to turn gold, and the trails are quieter than in the peak July–August holiday weeks. Wildflowers in the alpage peak in July, which is the second-best choice if colour and long daylight matter more to you than solitude.

As of 2026, plan around afternoon convection: summer storms in the Aosta Valley most often build after 14:00, so an early start gets you over the exposed high traverse before the weather turns. June can still hold snow on north-facing pitches above 2,000 m, and by the last week of September alpine huts and valley bus services begin winding down for the season. Always check the current forecast and refuge status before committing to the stage.

Practical Information

Accommodation

Valgrisenche, at the end of the stage, offers the most reliable beds. Expect small family-run hotels and B&Bs charging roughly €60–€110 per double room per night, often including breakfast. Mountain refuges and "posti tappa" along the wider Via Alpina corridor typically cost €20–€30 for a dormitory bunk, with half-board (dinner, bed and breakfast) commonly €50–€70. A handful of alpage farms sell cheese and basic provisions but do not offer lodging. Wild camping is restricted in the Aosta Valley and discouraged near the Gran Paradiso protected zones — use designated campsites lower in the main valley if you carry a tent. Booking ahead is essential in July and August, when rooms in this small village fill quickly.

Getting There & Back

The gateway is Aosta, reachable by train from Turin via Chivasso in roughly two to two-and-a-half hours; Aosta station is the regional rail hub. From Aosta, regional SVAP/Arriva buses serve the lower Dora Baltea villages toward Avise and Arvier (around 30–45 minutes), from where local connections or a short walk reach the Cérellaz trailhead. Return buses run up the Valgrisenche valley to the village, linking back to the main-valley line toward Aosta; services are sparse, so check timetables in advance and allow buffer time. The nearest major airport is Turin Caselle (TRN), about a 2-hour drive; Geneva (GVA) is a viable alternative at roughly 2.5–3 hours via the Mont Blanc tunnel. Driving is the most flexible option, but valley parking at trailheads is limited.

Permits & Fees

No permit is required to walk R118 — the Via Alpina is a free, publicly waymarked route, and access to the trail itself costs nothing. There are no entry fees for the Aosta Valley sections of the path. Costs are limited to accommodation, food, and transport. If you extend toward the Gran Paradiso National Park core, note that camping and off-trail access are regulated there, but the R118 corridor described here lies outside the strictest zones. Carry cash, as small villages and refuges may not accept cards.

Gear & Packing List

This is a serious mountain day with exposed high ground and rapid weather changes, so pack for alpine conditions even in summer. Essentials include sturdy waterproof boots, layered clothing with a windproof shell, sun protection, at least two litres of water capacity, and a map or GPS track of the stage. Trekking poles ease the steep climb out of the main valley and the descent into Valgrisenche.

For a single high stage like this you want a comfortable 30–50 litre pack that carries a layer system, food and water without bulk. A lightweight option such as the 2400 Windrider suits fast-and-light walkers, while the larger 3400 Windrider or the comfortable Atmos AG 50 work better if you are carrying multi-day kit across several Via Alpina stages. If you are choosing a pack for a longer Alpine traverse, our roundup of the best ultralight backpacks of 2026 compares seven tested models head to head.

Fuelling matters on a 1,100 m climbing day — undereating is the most common reason walkers fade on the high traverse. Plan your calories deliberately; our guide to how many calories you need hiking a full day explains how to size your trail food for sustained mountain effort.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the high Italian alpine character of R118 appeals, the Dolomites offer some of the most dramatic multi-day routes in the country, with via ferrata sections, mountain refuges and limestone scenery. These long-distance "Alte Vie" share the Via Alpina's hut-to-hut rhythm and reward strong walkers with sustained high ground.

• 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 flavour of remote mountain trekking, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania delivers a classic Balkan pass crossing with a similar one-big-day-out feel to R118.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Via Alpina Red R118?
The walkable season runs from late June to late September. September is the single best month: stable weather as the summer storm pattern eases, comfortable 12–18 °C daytime temperatures, golden larch colour, and far fewer walkers than the busy July and August holiday weeks. Start early to clear the exposed high traverse before afternoon thunderstorms build.

How difficult is the Via Alpina Red R118?
R118 is a moderately strenuous alpine day. With roughly 1,100 m of climbing over about 16 km and exposed high-pasture traverses, it demands good fitness and sure footing but no technical climbing or via ferrata skills. Rapidly changing mountain weather and limited water on the upper sections are the main challenges, so carry proper layers and plan an early start.

How long does the stage take and how far is each day?
R118 is designed as a single day covering approximately 16 km from Cérellaz to Valgrisenche. A reasonably fit walker needs six to seven hours of moving time plus stops. If you are linking it with neighbouring Red Trail stages in the Aosta Valley, most hikers cover one stage of 12–18 km per day, overnighting in villages or mountain refuges along the way.

Where can I stay along the Via Alpina Red R118?
Valgrisenche village at the stage end has small hotels and B&Bs costing roughly €60–€110 per double room, usually with breakfast. Mountain refuges and posti tappa along the wider route charge about €20–€30 for a dormitory bunk, or €50–€70 with half-board. Book ahead in July and August, as beds in this small village are limited and fill fast.

Do I need a permit or pay fees to hike R118?
No permit is required. The Via Alpina is a free, publicly waymarked route, and walking R118 itself costs nothing — there are no trail entry fees in the Aosta Valley sections. Your only expenses are accommodation, food and transport. If you extend into the Gran Paradiso National Park core, camping and off-trail access are regulated, but the R118 corridor lies outside those strict zones.

For authoritative stage detail and current waymarking, consult the official Via Alpina stage page, and for regional travel, weather and tourism information see the official Aosta Valley tourism portal.