Becca di Viou from Valpelline
Hiking
Becca di Viou from Valpelline
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Description
Becca di Viou is one of the iconic mountains of the Aosta Valley, and it dominates the central valley thanks to its isolated and panoramic position.The ascent from Valpelline, is certainly less known and frequented because it is very long, but definitely rewarding for trained hikers, an excellent test for those who want to try their hand at significant elevation changes. The route in the Arpisson valley is very varied and fascinating, going from the forested part to the pastures in the central p...
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Details
Valpelline
Municipality
challenging
Effort
EE
Difficulty
5h 30m
Ascent time
3h 15m
Descent time
8h 45m
Total time
942 m
Starting elevation
2.856 m
Arrival elevation
1.906 m
Ascent vertical drop
14.400 m
Total length
5105
Ascent signposts
105,5
Descent signposts
Jul - Aug - Sep
Best period
low
Crowding
Overview
Becca di Viou is one of the iconic mountains of the Aosta Valley, and it dominates the central valley thanks to its isolated and panoramic position.The ascent from Valpelline, is certainly less known and frequented because it is very long, but definitely rewarding for trained hikers, an excellent test for those who want to try their hand at significant elevation changes. The route in the Arpisson valley is very varied and fascinating, going from the forested part to the pastures in the central part and finally to the wild valley that leads to Lake d'Arpisson, which gives added value to the hike.The route traces the Trail race of Becca di Viou and apart from the length and the elevation gain the hike does not present any major technical difficulties. On clear, sunny days from the summit the panorama will be boundless over all the great mountains of the Aosta Valley.
Reaching the start
From the Aosta East tollbooth, take the tunnel along the E27 road leading into the Great St. Bernard Valley, at the end of which you meet the SS27 coming from the center of Aosta. Just before Gignod, immediately after the last tunnel, proceed to the right following the SR28 of Valpelline, reaching the main town.Just past the small square of Valpelline, on the right you will see the sign for Les Prailles and the traditional sports area: follow the asphalt road past the campsite and reach a bridge where the trails begin. There is a large paved parking area where you leave your car.
The route
Crossing the bridge over the Buthier stream, follow trail No. 5 along the steep dirt track next to the large meadow of the Valpelline sports area, reaching an aqueduct building and then meeting a paved road at Ronceaz 1095 m. Above the houses, the trail enters the dense pine forest, beginning to climb steadily but sustained, on a very relaxing ground of earth and needles.At 1464 m the road is met again, now unpaved, but this must be followed for a short distance before resuming the trail that continues into the forest, crossing the Arpisson stream thanks to a wooden bridge. The climb continues steeply, still partly in the forest, before coming out onto the pastures below Alpe Verney 1730 m, made entirely of wood and set on a grassy promontory.Beyond Verney, without continuing on the road, continue into the meadow until reaching Alpe Arpisson 1838 m, from which the huge landslide of the Tete du Vala Freide slope is visible, still active but far from the ascent route. After Arpisson, via the path through the forest you arrive at the alpine pasture Porillon 2016 m; the grassy road continues for a few hundred meters more, ending in a grassy clearing at the entrance to the vast comba d'Arpisson where there are the ruins of Alpe Fouillou 2087 m, at the foot of the rampart that will be climbed.You will meet trail 105 here, which will lead to the summit; cross the vast plateau strewn with trees torn down by ancient avalanches, resuming the steep ascent of the ridge beside the little stream waterfall. With numerous twists and turns among rhododendron bushes, you reach a characteristic passage on a rocky ledge, which provides access to the upper part of the climb. You cross the stream and then the climb resumes steep and strenuous parallel to the stream, until the valley widens and the slope flattens out just within sight of the pretty Lac d'Arpisson 2482 m.After a pause for refreshment, start climbing again on the path that is again steep on the grassy slope to the right, rising in altitude with fine views of the lake; bypassing a ridge, you cross a somewhat more uncomfortable area of scree that precedes the arrival at Col de Viou 2696 m, a wide grassy esplanade on whose northern end is located the Penne Nere Bivouac 2730 m. Here one meets the busier path coming from Blavy (hamlet of Roisan).To reach the summit, now clearly visible to the west, all that remains is to climb the ridge, at first grassy then later with rocky but always well-walkable areas, until it touches the valuable metal cross placed at the summit 2856 m.
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Weather service by the RAVA Functional Centre
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Last update
27 March 2026, 17:44