Tour of Mont Viso: hike from mountain hut to mountain hut

We meet at 10am at La Roche Écroulée, at the bottom of the Guil valley, not far from Ristolas. After an introduction to the group and a check of our equipment, we begin our ascent by following the course of the Guil. This mountain torrent, carved into the larch-wooded slopes, accompanies us for the first few kilometres and gradually immerses us in the alpine atmosphere.

As we continue, the landscape changes and widens. The distinctive silhouette of Mont Viso begins to appear in the distance, marking the direction of our route. We are gradually entering the Mont Viso nature reserve, an unspoilt area with a marked wilderness character, where visitor numbers are limited.

The route follows a well-marked, regular but steady path that gradually takes us higher up the mountain. We leave the forest behind and move into a more open environment, with wide views over the valley below, which we won't see again until the end of our route.

After an Ascent of around 700 metres, we reach the Mountain hut at 2,460 metres altitude. Set in pastoral surroundings on the edge of a mountain pasture, it offers a peaceful atmosphere in which to recuperate. The warden welcomes us for dinner, prepared with local produce and served in a friendly atmosphere. The night is spent in a dormitory, in a calm, mountain atmosphere.

Late afternoon option: climb to Lake Lestio without your bags (4 km round trip, 100 m elevation gain), for those who want to extend the day a little with a short loop to an isolated lakeside site.

After a night at altitude and breakfast at the Mountain hut, we resume our journey towards the Col de la Traversette, at an altitude of 2,947 metres. This pass marks the border between France and Italy and has a special historical feature: a tunnel dug in the 15th century, known as the "pertuis", which used to allow herds and goods to pass through the mountain. Depending on the conditions and the wishes of the group, we can use this passage or cross the pass directly.

As we switch to the Italian side, we discover a new valley at altitude, open and mineral. It's not unusual to spot ibex, often motionless, enjoying the morning sun on the rocky slopes.

A technical section awaits us shortly afterwards: a slightly more aerial section, requiring vigilance and sure footing. Depending on the weather and the level of the group, a less strenuous variant may be proposed.

We then begin the descent towards the Italian Piedmont, dotted with a number of crystal-clear high altitude lakes. The path winds its way between boulders, past small residual névés and through grassy areas that mark the transition to our accommodation.

In the late afternoon, we reach the Quintino Sella Mountain hut, located between Lago Grande di Viso and Lago di Costagrande. This Italian Mountain hut offers a warm welcome in a typical atmosphere, with a generous dinner served in the communal dining room. We spend our second night here, surrounded by the peace and quiet of the Piedmontese high plateaux.

We left the Quintino Sella Mountain hut after breakfast, facing Mount Viso. The stage begins with a passage through mineral terrain: a vast scree slope that we cross for most of the morning. The atmosphere is austere but spectacular, with uninterrupted views of the surrounding ridges.

As the day progresses, we move through a series of valleys and cross two passes, each offering sweeping views of the Italian valleys of Piedmont. This section of the route is particularly rich in ecological diversity, with rocky areas, alpine meadows and coniferous forests.

The gradual descent into the Pontechianale valley takes us through pine forests before reaching a hamlet on the shores of the artificial lake of Castello, where we take a break. This temporary return to a more human environment marks a transition in our route.

We then set off up the Vallanta valley, a regular route that follows the course of the mountain streams fed by the many springs in the area. The path winds between mountain pastures and rocky bars, with the high cliffs that frame the valley as a backdrop.

Little by little, the Mountain hut Vallanta comes into view, nestled in a wild mountain setting. We spend the night here, in peaceful surroundings on the edge of a glacial lake. The evening is spent in the Mountain hut, in the warmth and with a view of the rock faces that dominate the area.

On this final day, we leave the Mountain hut early in the morning and begin our ascent of the Col de Vallanta (2,810 m), the crossing point between Italy and France. The well-marked path progresses steadily through alpine scenery, dominated by the rock faces of the Joane and Gastaldi peaks.

Once you reach the pass, the view opens up to the French valley that we climbed on the first day. This is a pivotal moment in the itinerary: we've come full circle and are back in a familiar landscape, with the imposing silhouette of Mount Viso in the background, which has accompanied us throughout our journey.

We then begin the descent to Roche Écroulée, first on a high-level path and then through larch forests. The last part of the route is a gentle one, along the Guil, back to the original starting point, which we reach in the middle of the day.

A contemplative end to our stay, after four days immersed in a wild, unspoilt and varied high mountain environment.