Tour Monte Rosa — Stage 2: Lago Gabiet → Alagna Valsesia

From Gabiet climb to the Col d’Olen (2,881 m), the historic pass between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont used by Monte Rosa mountaineers since the 19th century. A long descent down the Olen valley leads to Alagna Valsesia (1,191 m), a Walser jewel below Monte Rosa’s south face.

The Col d’Olen is a pass steeped in mountaineering history: the Monte Rosa pioneers came this way, and minutes from the col the Mosso Institute has studied high-altitude physiology since 1907. The climb from Gabiet is short and scenic; at the pass, the ten-minute detour to the Corno del Camoscio is worth it for the view of the Lyskamm and Piramide Vincent. The long descent into Valsesia sheds 1,700 metres down the Olen valley, past the Pianalunga alps (lifts to Alagna) and the Walser hamlets of Pedemonte. Alagna, freeride capital, has every service.