Gran Paradiso Tour — Stage 9: Rifugio Vittorio Sella → Cogne

A closing downhill stage: from the Sella hut descend the royal mule track to Valnontey, the Tribolazione glacier sealing the valley behind you, and return to Cogne across the Sant’Orso meadow, where the Gran Paradiso loop closes.

A farewell descent along the Grand Lauson valley: the royal mule track drops in wide bends towards Valnontey, with the Tribolazione glacier and the walls of the Gran Paradiso closing the valley behind you. Lower down you cross the Vermiana farmsteads and the cool woods along the stream. Arriving in Cogne across the Sant’Orso meadow tastes of things accomplished: before the Romanesque bell tower the loop is sealed. Stay for lunch: Cogne’s cooking — from seupa à la vapelenentse to mécoulin — is part of the journey.