Loops around the great massifs
Tour of Rutor
One of the lesser-known tours but among the most accessible for observing an active glacier. The loop around Rutor, above La Thuile, combines quiet summer farms, glacial lakes and views of the western Mont Blanc massif.
Tour of Rutor
La Thuile — Arvier — Morgex
One of the lesser-known tours but among the most accessible for observing an active glacier. The loop around Rutor, above La Thuile, combines quiet summer farms, glacial lakes and views of the western Mont Blanc massif.
~55 km, 4–5 days
6 VdA stages available
La Thuile — Arvier — Morgex
Route map
Official GPX tracks · use zoom and compass to explore
All stages
01E🇮🇹Stage 1
Tour du Rutor — Stage 1: La Thuile → Rifugio Albert Deffeyes
La Thuile → Rifugio Albert Deffeyes
The Rutor waterfalls and the climb to the Deffeyes hut.
9.2 km+1113 mOpen
02EE🇮🇹Stage 2
Tour du Rutor — Stage 2: Rifugio Albert Deffeyes → Planaval
Rifugio Albert Deffeyes → Planaval
Passo Alto and Col de la Crosatie: the great Alta Via 2 traverse.
15.5 km+1111 mOpen
03E🇮🇹Stage 3
Tour du Rutor — Stage 3: Planaval → Valgrisenche
Planaval → Valgrisenche
A short breather along the Dora di Valgrisenche.
5.7 km+162 mOpen
04EE🇫🇷🇮🇹Stage 4
Tour du Rutor — Stage 4: Valgrisenche → Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
Valgrisenche → Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
The Col du Mont, a historic smugglers’ pass into the Tarentaise.
23.1 km+1138 mOpen
05EOutside region🇫🇷Stage 5
Tour du Rutor — Stage 5: Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise → La Rosière
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise → La Rosière
A Tarentaise balcony among baroque villages and forests.
9 km+851 mOpen
06E🇮🇹Stage 6
Tour du Rutor — Stage 6: La Rosière → La Thuile
La Rosière → La Thuile
The Little St Bernard pass and Lake Verney close the loop.
17.4 km+373 mOpen