Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
D19
Issime » Challand-Saint-Victor
8h35 |
16.501 km
|
1129 m
|
1511 m
From the valley of Gressoney, there is a trail that leads upwards rapidly upwards in giant steps through Walser hamlets, woods and the wetlands at Munes to the Dondeuil pass (2,388m) where the views extend from Mont Blanc to the Gran Paradiso range, and then down to the Ayas valley.
This stage allows the visitor to get to know Walser architecture better. The Walser community speak a dialect of German and have lived in the upper part of the Gressoney valley, (also known as the Hellex valley, or Lys, the name of the river that runs through it) since the 12th century. The stage begins on the road that leads from Issime to the valley of San Grato. The first part of the trail, marked 1, climbs quickly in steps through woods and through the villages of Hubal, Hantschekku and Ekku. Further on is the village of Chröiz, meaning cross, but better know as San Grato (1650m), with a chapel that dates from the 18th century. The trail then turns left and along a plateau. The natural landscape here is unique. The trail then leads through hamlets that consist of houses built in stone and wood, typical of Walser architecture. These building, known as städel, can date from as far back as the 16th century. After some woodland and some interesting marshes, the trail leads to Alpe di Munes-Muhni where there is the Chapel of the Madonna delle Nevi (2021m) that dates from 1660 and backdrop to the traditional annual feast on the 5th August. The trail becomes steep until the Dondeuil pass (2338m) that links the vale of Gressoney to that of Ayas. From the pass, the view stretches across from Mont Blanc to the Gran Paradiso range. There then follows a long descent to the village of Dondeuil (1993m). The route here follows farm tracks, bridleways and a stretch of road. On the fields below is the Bonot Tower, 13th century, probably used as communication between the two castles at Graines and at Villa. Finally there is Isollaz, a village in the area of Challand-Saint-Victor (676m), on the left bank of the Evançon stream. Warning: this is a very long stage – 8.5 hours. It can however be broken up by an overnight stop at the Chalex or Dondeuil huts (1815m) but only if carrying tents and sleeping bags. (Regione Valle d’Aosta)
Natural and cultural heritage
This stage offers the visitor the opportunity to find out more about Walser culture. The Walser people settled in the valleys of Ayas, Lys and Valsesia, at the foot of the Monte Rosa chain between the 12th and 13th centuries. They came from Germany through the Valais valley - Ober Wallis – hence the name Walliser. Catholic, German speaking and with strongly ingrained traditions, they focussed on agriculture and livestock breeding and worked the land up to an altitude of about 2000 metres. They didn’t forget to trade though, and the valley was nicknamed "Krämertal", meaning the valley of traders, and contacts with German-speaking Switzerland and southern Germany were frequent. The architecture is interesting: houses are made of limed stone at the ground floor, and then the upper floors are made of larch wood, with wide balconies and overhanging roofs covered in stone tiles. The städel for storing grain are unusual constructions, built on 8 to 10 wooden pillars topped by smooth, round, stone tiles to protect the food stores from damp and from mice. At Challand-Saint-Victor we find the remains of Villa Castle, built on a rocky outcrop in the 10th century, and the church of Saint Victor, with its single nave, an interesting 15th century doorway and a 12th century, gothic, wooden crucifix. (Regione Valle d’Aosta)
Useful topographic maps
Monte Rosa ~ Kompass (1:50.000)
Cervino-Matterhorn e Monte Rosa ~ Istituto Geografico Centrale (1:50.000)
Bassa valle di Gressoney e valle di Ayas ~ Guide dell'Escursionista (1:25.000)
Useful guidebooks
Guida n° 3-Le valli del Monte Rosa ~ Le Guide dell'Escursionista (ISBN )
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
itinéraire réalisé de Riale (D1) à MontCenis (D34) du 19/08 au 12/09/23.
Depuis Issime, très belle montée sur chemins bien dessinés qui permettent de croiser quelques hameaux quasi déserts jusqu'au Col de Dondeuil. Au Col, vous pouvez deviner le Mont Blanc dans le paysage par beau temps.
Redescendre jusqu'à un chemin carrossable qui devient rapidement une route et ne présente aucun intérêt. Le parcours en présente quasiment aucune opportunité de bivouac. Pour éviter une partie de la route, suivre les indications pour le village de Fontaney (fontaine) puis le chemin qui descend vers Oillon (Cappella di Grato - fontaine) puis vers Isollaz en fond de vallée (très joli chemin) puis Challand St Victor. Plusieurs bars, resto. L'épicerie, qui vend aussi du gaz était fermée fin aout. Les commerces sont en fait soit à Verrès soit à Challand St Anselme (il y a des arrêts de bus... donc il doit bien y avoir aussi des bus ! Mais pas vus !)
juillet 2010
L’hôtel d’Issime est petit (5 ou 6 chambres) et risque d’être complet.
A Gaby, il y a en revanche 2 grands hôtels :
Hôtel Moderno : ( tel: 0125.345900)
Pour se rendre à Gaby : Suivre la VA depuis Issime et devant le camping de Tzendelabo, prendre le sentier pédestre qui conduit à Gaby en 1 km.
Automatic translation
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July 2010
The hotel is small Issime (5 or 6 bedrooms) and may be complete.
A Gaby, there has however two major hotels:
Hotel Moderno: (tel: 0125.345900)
To get to Gaby: Follow the VA since before Issime and camping Tzendelabò, take the footpath that leads to Gaby 1 km.
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.