Hiking

Mont Echeut ring from Bionaz

The rushing waters of the Buthier Stream.

The waterfalls of the Vessona Stream in Sevey

The beautiful view towards the coma of Crête Sèche

Details

La Quelod

Departure location

Bionaz

Municipality

average

Effort

Difficulty

3.0

Rating

650 m

Ascent vertical drop

3h 15m

Total time

Description

Services in the surroundings

City Hall of Bionaz

Bionaz 537 m

Adventure Park "Rebel Park"

Bionaz 382 m

Point of interest presentation image: Adventure Park

Nearby attractions

Parish Church of St. Margaret

Bionaz 630 m

Marmitta dei giganti

Bionaz 485 m

Reviews

16/09/2024

climbandtrek

Description

Fatto il giro al contrario. Sentiero ben evidente e ben segnato anche recentemente. Alcuni tratti molto ripidi in entrambe le direzioni; utili le corde fisse per scendere il canalino.

Comment

Giornata fresca. Nessuno in giro. 5 stelle per l'ambiente boschivo selvaggio, 2 per i pochissimi scorci sulla valle. Oggi da solo. più info e foto su climbandtrek.it

More info

Road access: Parcheggiato all'ingresso del paese.; si può scendere anche più in basso dove si trovano le paline del sentiero ma i posti sono limitati (3/4) ed oggi occupati da due trattori.

Details

La Quelod

Departure location

Bionaz

Municipality

average

Effort

Difficulty

2h 10m

Ascent time

1h 5m

Descent time

3h 15m

Total time

1.550 m

Starting elevation

1.935 m

Arrival elevation

650 m

Ascent vertical drop

7.400 m

Total length

Signposts

May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep

Best period

low

Crowding

3.0

Rating

Overview

The loop trail of Mount Echeut, in the territory of Bionaz, allows the exploration of the little-known and fascinating western slope on the slopes of the bold Becca d'Invergnaou.The ancient alpine pasture of l'Echeut, now ruined, stood in a small clearing carved out of the extensive coniferous forests that cover the entire slope.The hike takes place almost entirely within the interior of the woods, which is why it is suitable even on the hottest summer days; from time to time, however, the forest thins out, leaving room for beautiful views of the mountains opposite, in the area of the Crête Sèche Refuge.The hike is suitable for experienced hikers, due to the presence of a short section equipped with fixed ropes, and at times it is tiring due to the steepness of the paths; at the same time, tranquility will be guaranteed as it is a little-used route.

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.Continue on the SR28 passing Oyace, Dnovennoz and arriving in Bionaz. Continue on to the square by the cemetery/church, then head towards La Quelod, passing the town hall. Follow the narrow lane between the houses, which winds downhill and ends at the houses in La Quelod, where there is a small car park.

The route

From the parking area of La Quelod, follow the dirt road downhill that crosses some pastures and reaches a hydraulic construction at 1481 m, where you meet the sign indicating the Echeut alpine pasture, which you ignore, however (it will be the return route), continuing straight on until you enter the thicker forest.You skirt the Buthier stream until you reach a massive wooden bridge 1431 m, which must be crossed following path no. 17 which continues on the steep wooded slope with a few ups and downs, gradually rising above the stream whose roar can be heard.After a long traverse, one arrives at a first meadow clearing, and a little further on at a second one where the remains of the ancient pastureland of Sevey 1463 m can be found; here, continuing a few meters southward, one can overlook the gully in which the Vessonaz stream flows, forming beautiful waterfalls.The trail, on the other hand, continues to the left just before the pasture, immediately entering the dense pine forest, and climbs up a good slope with numerous serpentines. When the forest begins to be less dense and the larch trees take the place of the pines, you arrive in front of a more impervious area, between small rocky barriers that you overcome by means of grassy gullies without difficulty, moving gradually northward. From time to time there are beautiful panoramic views of the middle Valpelline; the path reaches, still steep, a second rocky area, where you encounter a short, slightly exposed passage equipped with a fixed rope and a metal peg. Having overcome this obstacle, the walk becomes easier again, still steep for a stretch among centuries-old larches, until the slope ends and a very long traverse begins.With an alternation of wooded areas and more open ones with beautiful views of the comb of Crête Sèche, just in front, you face a series of slight ups and downs until you reach the high point of the hike at about 1935 m, where the trail begins to descend rapidly toward the Echeut pasture. Here you can still notice a large trough carved from the trunk of a tree that was fed with the waters of the Torrent de Moulin.The descent on the earthy path immediately leads to the small meadow clearing with the ruins of the pastures of Mount Echeut 1885 m, before reentering the dense forest. After a more comfortable first section with a few twists and turns, the descent begins to be very steep on the sometimes steep slope that requires a minimum of caution. You leave the vegetation to cross a small gully where the stream flows, arriving just below to meet a grassy track, just above the Buthier stream.You follow it to the left until you reach a concrete bridge that allows you to cross the stream, and shortly afterwards you meet the marker post with the junction encountered on the way up.All that remains is to follow the small road to the right, slightly uphill, which leads back to La Quelod.

Services in the surroundings

General services

City Hall of Bionaz

Bionaz 537 m

Tourist services

Adventure Park "Rebel Park"

Bionaz 382 m

Rental "Alpe Rebelle"

Bionaz 371 m

Point of interest presentation image: Rental

Where to eat

Alpe Rebelle

Bionaz 386 m

Where to sleep

Alpe Rebelle

Bionaz 382 m

Clé du Paradis

Bionaz 1.683 m

Diocesan Institute for Clergy Support

Bionaz 621 m

La Batise

Bionaz 592 m

Nearby attractions

Churches and Sanctuaries

Parish Church of St. Margaret

Bionaz 630 m

Environment

Marmitta dei giganti

Bionaz 485 m

Weather service by the RAVA Functional Centre

Open the site of the Functional Centre of the Aosta Valley Region

Avalanche bulletin by Aineva

Open the Aineva website

Reviews

16/09/2024

climbandtrek

Description

Fatto il giro al contrario. Sentiero ben evidente e ben segnato anche recentemente. Alcuni tratti molto ripidi in entrambe le direzioni; utili le corde fisse per scendere il canalino.

Comment

Giornata fresca. Nessuno in giro. 5 stelle per l'ambiente boschivo selvaggio, 2 per i pochissimi scorci sulla valle. Oggi da solo. più info e foto su climbandtrek.it

More info

Road access: Parcheggiato all'ingresso del paese.; si può scendere anche più in basso dove si trovano le paline del sentiero ma i posti sono limitati (3/4) ed oggi occupati da due trattori.

Nearby routes (<2 km)