Stafal- Col d'Olen
Map & route
GPX track — verify on the ground before hiking
Fitness level
From Stafal the trail climbs the Olen valley to the historic Col d'Olen (2,881 m), a pass between the Lys valley and Valsesia frequented since the 19th century by Monte Rosa climbers and scientists. Just below the col stands the Mosso Institute, a high-altitude physiology laboratory active since 1907. The steady, ever-scenic ascent leads into a high-mountain amphitheatre dominated by the Punta Gnifetti and the Corno del Camoscio, with the great glaciers of Monte Rosa's southern side.
Earth sciences
Geology & landscape
Geologically this is the heart of the Monte Rosa nappe: gneisses and granites of European continental crust, wrapped in the greenstones (serpentinites and prasinites) of the ancient Alpine ocean, today shaped by the Lys glaciers.
History & culture
The valley is home to the Walser, Alemannic settlers who came down from Valais in the 13th century over the glacier passes of Monte Rosa: in Gressoney the Töitschu language, the timber-and-stone houses (stadel) and the German place names that dot the mountain still survive.
Getting there
Parking
Photo gallery
Photos are published immediately. JPG/PNG/WebP, max 6 MB.
Flora along the trail
Wildlife to spot
ACurated and verified by Andrea Rama
Data source: Catasto Sentieri Regione Autonoma VdA · Open data — DGR 899/2014
Last verified:
Valle del Lys
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