Hiking - Nature Trek Grand Paradis Vanoise - Classic Stage A: Benevolo - Chivasso
Far from the beaten path, this nature trek forms a wonderful link between Vanoise National Park and Grand Paradis. From one border to another, hikers journey along the ancient routes of merchants and travelers. This first stage promises a challenging route of rare wild beauty.
The first part of the itinerary leads to a promontory at 2407m, offering a breathtaking view of the Rhêmes Valley and the Grande Vaudelaz valley. After Col Rosset, countless alpine lakes dot the Rosset plateau. From scree slopes to alpine meadows, hikers reach the Chivasso hut.
Traverse from Benevolo hut to the start of the Grande Vaudalaz valley
From Benevolo hut (2285m), head towards the farm to join the drivable track climbing left for approximately 500m, until the first bend. A sign indicates the start of trail N°13A heading towards Col Rosset. After a long traverse across the grassy slope interspersed with a few streams, a promontory (2407m) offers views of the Rhêmes Valley and the final section of the Grande Vaudelaz valley. The second part descends towards the river of the same name, opposite the Grande Vaudalaz alpine farm (2348m; 1h15').
Grand Vaudalaz Valley
After joining trail N°12, ascend on the right bank of the torrent. As you progress through this alpine pasture, you skirt around some rock boulders halfway. Following the route towards the pass, the landscape changes, becoming more mineral.
Final section before Col Rosset
In a stark setting, the path zigzags up the steep and rocky slope. A pretty small lake is visible on the left before reaching this pinkish rock notch of Col Rosset (3025m; 2h from the start of the Grande Vaudelaz valley). It offers a remarkable panorama with several peaks, dominated by the south face of Grand Paradis. Below, countless lakes spread across the Rosset plateau.
Descent to the hut
The first 150m of S-shaped descent are quite steep and narrow down to the Chanavey lakes. From there, a comfortable trail leads to the valley floor. A final sudden drop of approximately 150m in elevation occurs between Lac Rosset and Lac Leita, located at 2700m. The final approach to Savoia hut (2532m) and Chivasso hut (2604m) is across the Nivolet Pass plain. Walking time from Col Rosset: 1h45.
The first part of the itinerary leads to a promontory at 2407m, offering a breathtaking view of the Rhêmes Valley and the Grande Vaudelaz valley. After Col Rosset, countless alpine lakes dot the Rosset plateau. From scree slopes to alpine meadows, hikers reach the Chivasso hut.
Traverse from Benevolo hut to the start of the Grande Vaudalaz valley
From Benevolo hut (2285m), head towards the farm to join the drivable track climbing left for approximately 500m, until the first bend. A sign indicates the start of trail N°13A heading towards Col Rosset. After a long traverse across the grassy slope interspersed with a few streams, a promontory (2407m) offers views of the Rhêmes Valley and the final section of the Grande Vaudelaz valley. The second part descends towards the river of the same name, opposite the Grande Vaudalaz alpine farm (2348m; 1h15').
Grand Vaudalaz Valley
After joining trail N°12, ascend on the right bank of the torrent. As you progress through this alpine pasture, you skirt around some rock boulders halfway. Following the route towards the pass, the landscape changes, becoming more mineral.
Final section before Col Rosset
In a stark setting, the path zigzags up the steep and rocky slope. A pretty small lake is visible on the left before reaching this pinkish rock notch of Col Rosset (3025m; 2h from the start of the Grande Vaudelaz valley). It offers a remarkable panorama with several peaks, dominated by the south face of Grand Paradis. Below, countless lakes spread across the Rosset plateau.
Descent to the hut
The first 150m of S-shaped descent are quite steep and narrow down to the Chanavey lakes. From there, a comfortable trail leads to the valley floor. A final sudden drop of approximately 150m in elevation occurs between Lac Rosset and Lac Leita, located at 2700m. The final approach to Savoia hut (2532m) and Chivasso hut (2604m) is across the Nivolet Pass plain. Walking time from Col Rosset: 1h45.