Hiking

Col de Breson from Oyace

First part of the path between dry stone walls

From Sucheaz, beautiful view of Valpelline

Details

Oyace

Departure location

Oyace

Municipality

challenging

Effort

Difficulty

1.200 m

Ascent vertical drop

5h 45m

Total time

Description

Services in the surroundings

Lac Lexert

Bionaz 1.783 m

Municipal Police

Oyace 26 m

Nearby attractions

Betenda Ravine (Betenda Bridge)

Oyace 1.081 m

La Tornalla

Oyace 325 m

Details

Oyace

Departure location

Oyace

Municipality

challenging

Effort

Difficulty

3h 30m

Ascent time

2h 15m

Descent time

5h 45m

Total time

1.360 m

Starting elevation

2.508 m

Arrival elevation

1.200 m

Ascent vertical drop

12.100 m

Total length

AV1

Signposts

Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep

Best period

medium

Crowding

Overview

The Col de Breson (or Brison) is a scarcely marked pass that connects the territory of Oyace in Valpelline with Ollomont and its valley, rather busy being on the Alta Via No. 1.This is the only point that can be crossed without mountaineering equipment in the long jagged mountain range that begins at the Pointes de Ollomont, passes through the Mont Rion Group and ends at the Col du Mont Gelè, at the foot of the glacier of the same name.The hike is pleasant, but it is intended for fairly well-trained hikers because it has some strenuous sections. medium-trained. The trail is very varied, the first part develops within a coniferous forest, cool even in summer, then on a kind of natural balcony extremely scenic with the transition from pasture clearings and ancient alpine pastures to a more severe environment that already brings you back to the high mountains.

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 Valpelline SR28, reaching the main town.Continue in the direction of Bionaz for another 8 km along the SR28 until the center of Oyace, just past the municipal building on the left you will find a parking lot.

The route

From the parking lot, descend to the square below the municipality, meeting the Valpelline regional road, which should be traveled downhill, using the sidewalk, for a few dozen meters passing by the sports field and quickly reaching the houses of Chez les Chenaux, where there are signposts for the Col de Breson on the Alta Via No. 1 trail.The trail passes by the side of a house and continues between some dry stone walls crossing some pastures and after crossing a dirt road, begins to climb steeply into the coniferous forest. Initially the larch trees are sparse and give way to beautiful panoramic views, then the vegetation thickens.After a somewhat tiring phase due to the slope, at about 1500 m you veer sharply to the left, crossing a ridge and entering the pine forest that precedes the ruined huts of Sucheaz 1995 m, located on a wide hanging pasture.The trail continues in a southerly direction, once again in the forest, now less steep and decidedly pleasant; having gone around a wooded ridge, it changes slope to reach the basin with the Breson 2195 m alpine pasture on a false level; not far away, reachable in 15' is the Plan Meulet, a wide shelf used as pasture.Path n.1 continues westward passing above the stone huts, continuing the long traverse still among the last sparse larches (some huge); from here you can now see the remaining part of the route, although the pass is not yet easily distinguishable.From the trees you continue on a more challenging ascent until you easily cross two short debris gullies; here now lies ahead the last ascending traverse on the steep grassy slope and some close hairpin bends, which allow you to reach the stone memorial stone with the Col de Breson 2508 m plaque.From the pass, the panorama suddenly opens up to the mountains overlooking Ollomont, visible 1000 m below, and reachable by continuing along the Alta Via route.The descent, on the other hand, will be along the same route as the ascent, enjoying the panoramic views of the Valpelline.