Hiking - Grand Paradis Vanoise Nature Trek: from Refuge du Carro to Refuge de Chivasso (classic route stage E)
A demanding route, with a mineral and exposed atmosphere.
Col du Carro is marked by innumerable cairns of different shapes and heights. Against this astonishing backdrop are the jagged ridges of Levanna Orientale and Levana Centrale. The descent from the pass is steep and requires vigilance. Between sections overhanging rock bands and long moraine traverses, there's no doubt this route is committing. The efforts are rewarded with sublime views of Lac Serrù. Up to Refuge du Chivasso, several World War II bunkers punctuate the route.
From Refuge du Carro to Col du Carro
Ascend left behind the hut, heading north. After a small lake, at the 3000m mark, the route turns left. Reach Col du Carro.
From Col du Carro to Colle delle Rocce
Concentration and caution are required on this steep slope and the diagonal traverse with fixed ropes.
Following this path, marked on the rock in red and white, you'll reach a second exposed section that overlooks the rock band. It then leads left, passing below the Col du Carro rock face. The descent switchbacks down to the base of this ridge that dominates the cliff below.
A long moraine traverse crosses glacial runoffs and a few snow patches that persist up to the location marked Colle delle Rocce.
At the end of this long scree path, join the junction with the glacial route coming from the left, from the glacier located beneath Pointe d’Oin. Continue to Colle delle Rocce.
From Colle delle Rocce to Lac Serrù
Descend a steep and winding path, then skirt a small lake. Continuing straight, bypass Pointe delle Rocce. After passing a bunker, descend over rocky debris for about thirty minutes. Traverse below the dam along the flank to reach the parking lot.
From Lac Serrù to Refuge Chivasso/Savoia
From the parking lot, continue on the paved road, then turn left after the cowshed, just before Lac d’Agnel. Continue for 250m on the drivable track, then turn right and ascend to join the path leading to Col d’Agnel.
Alternatively, from the parking lot, head onto the path towards Col de la Lose on the lake side. After a flat section, climb 50m to branch right not far from the World War II bunkers. A long balcony path leads us below Col d’Agnel.
To access the pass, ascend a steep, winding, and fairly narrow path with some rocky sections equipped with fixed ropes. Pass along the flank of a bunker on an exposed section to cross a stream, then continue slightly right to join the paved road located below Refuge du Chivasso.
Col du Carro is marked by innumerable cairns of different shapes and heights. Against this astonishing backdrop are the jagged ridges of Levanna Orientale and Levana Centrale. The descent from the pass is steep and requires vigilance. Between sections overhanging rock bands and long moraine traverses, there's no doubt this route is committing. The efforts are rewarded with sublime views of Lac Serrù. Up to Refuge du Chivasso, several World War II bunkers punctuate the route.
From Refuge du Carro to Col du Carro
Ascend left behind the hut, heading north. After a small lake, at the 3000m mark, the route turns left. Reach Col du Carro.
From Col du Carro to Colle delle Rocce
Concentration and caution are required on this steep slope and the diagonal traverse with fixed ropes.
Following this path, marked on the rock in red and white, you'll reach a second exposed section that overlooks the rock band. It then leads left, passing below the Col du Carro rock face. The descent switchbacks down to the base of this ridge that dominates the cliff below.
A long moraine traverse crosses glacial runoffs and a few snow patches that persist up to the location marked Colle delle Rocce.
At the end of this long scree path, join the junction with the glacial route coming from the left, from the glacier located beneath Pointe d’Oin. Continue to Colle delle Rocce.
From Colle delle Rocce to Lac Serrù
Descend a steep and winding path, then skirt a small lake. Continuing straight, bypass Pointe delle Rocce. After passing a bunker, descend over rocky debris for about thirty minutes. Traverse below the dam along the flank to reach the parking lot.
From Lac Serrù to Refuge Chivasso/Savoia
From the parking lot, continue on the paved road, then turn left after the cowshed, just before Lac d’Agnel. Continue for 250m on the drivable track, then turn right and ascend to join the path leading to Col d’Agnel.
Alternatively, from the parking lot, head onto the path towards Col de la Lose on the lake side. After a flat section, climb 50m to branch right not far from the World War II bunkers. A long balcony path leads us below Col d’Agnel.
To access the pass, ascend a steep, winding, and fairly narrow path with some rocky sections equipped with fixed ropes. Pass along the flank of a bunker on an exposed section to cross a stream, then continue slightly right to join the paved road located below Refuge du Chivasso.
A committing, mineral, and steep hike, recommended only for experienced hikers, in dry weather and after the last snow patches have melted (at best from mid-July).