Gran Paradiso Tour — Stage 8: Eaux Rousses → Rifugio Vittorio Sella

The loop returns towards Cogne re-crossing the Col Lauson (3,296 m) from the Levionaz side: 1,600 metres of steady climbing on the royal mule track, often in the company of ibex, to regain the pass and descend to Rifugio Vittorio Sella (2,588 m).

The return towards Cogne re-crosses the Col Lauson, this time from the Levionaz side: 1,600 metres of continuous climbing that the royal mule track turns methodical, almost hypnotic. Best to start at dawn, when chamois and ibex come down to the low pastures and the light cuts across the valley. From the col, a short, steep equipped descent leads to the Lauson basin and the Sella hut, where the day ends in the traditional way: sunset on the Grivola and ibex grazing by the door. Strong legs can push on to Cogne and shorten the final day.