Gran Paradiso Tour — Stage 2: Valnontey → Rifugio Vittorio Sella

From Valnontey climb the historic hunting mule track of King Vittorio Emanuele II, in regular bends through woods and pastures, to Rifugio Vittorio Sella al Lauson (2,588 m). Ibex grazing at dusk are almost guaranteed here.

The royal mule track climbs at a gradient designed for mules and kings: Vittorio Emanuele II had it built in the mid-1800s for his hunts, and its perfect switchbacks still make the 900 metres of ascent surprisingly fluid. You pass the royal hunting lodge of Lauson and reach the pasture basin where the hut stands, named after the mountaineer-photographer Vittorio Sella. Afternoon hours are best for watching the ibex that graze here by the dozen; the nearby Lauson tarn mirrors the Grivola at sunset.