High Route 2 — Stage 8: Eaux-Rousses → Rifugio Vittorio Sella
Warnings
- Demanding stage: snow possible on Loson until July
- Early start recommended
1 / 2Map & route
Official GPX track — Aosta Valley Region / lovevda.it
Fitness level
~1864 kcal estimated
Sustained climb to Col du Loson, the highest point on the entire VdA High Route system, and descent to Rifugio Vittorio Sella.
Alta Via 2’s big day: 1,600 metres of steady climbing on the Levionaz royal mule track to the Col Lauson (3,296 m), the Park’s highest hiking pass, with a final stretch on equipped ledges. Ibex are near-guaranteed around the Levionaz ranger hut. The descent to Rifugio Vittorio Sella crosses the Lauson plateau, where whole herds graze at sunset.
Earth sciences
Geology & landscape
Heart of Gran Paradiso National Park: basement granites and gneiss, glacial cirques and U-shaped valleys. Col du Loson (3296 m) is the highest point on the VdA High Routes.
History & culture
The Levionaz hut is today a ranger base and ibex research station: Vittorio Emanuele II rode up here with mounts and beaters for his royal hunts.
Water sources
Eaux-Rousses and huts along the stage; few points above 2800 m.
Getting there
VITA buses and connections from Aosta; check seasonal timetables at vita.it.
Parking
Parcheggi comunali nei paesi di valle; verificare limitazioni in alta stagione.
Nearby peaks
Refuges & bivouacs
Photo gallery
Photos are published immediately. JPG/PNG/WebP, max 6 MB.
Flora along the trail
Adjacent stages
ACurated and verified by Andrea Rama
Data source: Catasto Sentieri Regione Autonoma VdA — Alta Via n.2 · Open data — DGR 899/2014
Last verified:
Valsavarenche
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