Stage 3 Les Chapieux → Rifugio Elisabetta
The Vallée des Glaciers, Col de la Seigne and the way into Italy facing the Aiguille des Glaciers.
Updated
- 13.9 kmdistance
- +967 mascent
- −384 mdescent
- 5h44walking, no breaks
- 2,512 mhigh point
- Moderatedifficulty
The walk
The road and then a track climb the Vallée des Glaciers to La Ville des Glaciers and Les Mottets. The path then winds steadily up to Col de la Seigne, on the France–Italy border: the south face of Mont Blanc appears all at once, with the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey and the Val Veny.
The descent on the Italian side is short to Rifugio Elisabetta, perched above Lac Combal and the Lée Blanche glacier. A shorter day than the previous one, leaving time to enjoy it.
Passes on the way
- 2,515 mCol de la SeigneSnow patches possible early in the season
4 water points mapped on OpenStreetMap along the stage (check drinkability on site).
Where to sleep in Rifugio Elisabetta
- Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini MontanaroWebsite
1 places listed. Check opening dates and prices with each place. All accommodation on the tour
Good to know
- The col is exposed to wind and fog: keep a warm layer at hand.
- A seasonal shuttle sometimes links Bourg-Saint-Maurice with Les Chapieux and La Ville des Glaciers: check it if you need to shorten the day.