Veulla - Lac Gelé

Lac Gelé — Frozen Lake — at 2606 m near Charvensod earns its name: a glacial tarn set in a rocky cirque where snow lingers well into summer. The trail departs from Veulla at 1286 m and climbs 1311 metres in 6.1 km, one of the most sustained elevation gains among E-rated routes in the Aosta Valley. The ascent is unrelenting — conifer forest low down, open alp pastures in the middle section, then austere rock and scree near the lake. Charvensod borders the city of Aosta, making this one of the valley's most accessible high-mountain objectives.

Along the way — you move in the valley of Mont Avic and Mont Glacier, rich in lakes. You reach high-altitude lakes, panoramic passes and scree frequented by marmots and ibex. It calls for a fit hiker’s pace and proper footwear.