Trails in the Upper Susa Valley (Italy)

Departure from the meadows of Chateau Beaulard (altitude 1,175 m)

Path towards the Vazon hamlet (altitude 1,650 m)

Climb towards the hamlet of Vazon at an altitude of 1,650 m through thick forests of pine, fir and larch trees

Climb towards the hamlet of Vazon at an altitude of 1,650 m through thick forests of pine, fir and larch trees

Climb towards the hamlet of Vazon at an altitude of 1,650 m through thick forests of pine, fir and larch trees

Climb towards the hamlet of Vazon at an altitude of 1,650 m through thick forests of pine, fir and larch trees

Dirt road from the Vazon hamlet at an altitude of 1,650 m towards the Cotolivier church

Dirt road from the hamlet of Vazon. On the horizon, Mount Chaberton with the fort destroyed during World War II.

Mount Chaberton with the fort destroyed during the Second World War

Chaberton mountain on the right and below the valley that leads to the town of Cesana and Monginevro pass

At the end of the dirt road begins the path that leads to the Desertes pass

Path leading to the base of the Desertes Pass

Start of the climb on the large scree that characterizes the Desertes pass

Mount Chaberton seen from the path that climbs towards the Desertes pass

Climbing towards the Desertes Pass

Climbing towards the Desertes Pass. Remains of barbed wire and defenses used in the last war

Bivouac just before reaching the Desertes pass (2,553 m)

Stop at the bivouac just before reaching the Desertes pass (2,553 m)

The vast scree slope you cross to reach the Desertes pass (2,553 m)

The summit of the Desertes pass (2,553 m)

The summit of the Desertes pass (2,553 m)

Trail from the Desertes Pass (2,553 m) towards the Orso Pass (2,481 m)

Trail from the Desertes Pass (2,553 m) towards the Orso Pass (2,481 m)

Trail from the Desertes Pass (2,553 m) towards the Orso Pass (2,481 m)

Start of the climb to the Orso Pass (2,481 m)

The French valley leading to the hamlet of Les Acles behind the Grand Hoche rock range

Climbing towards the Orso Pass

The bivouac located on the Orso Pass

View of the Upper Susa Valley from the Orso Pass

The rugged path that descends from the Orso Pass (2,481 m) towards Chateau-Beaulard (1.387 m)

From the Orso Pass (2,481 m) you descend towards Chateau-Beaulard (1,387 m)

From the Orso Pass (2,481 m) you descend towards Chateau-Beaulard (1,387 m)

A narrow path between the rocks descends from the Orso Pass (2,481 m) towards Chateau-Beaulard (1,387 m)

A narrow path between the rocks descends from the Orso Pass (2,481 m) towards Chateau-Beaulard (1,387 m)

Below is the village of Chateau-Beaulard (1,387 m) and at the bottom of the valley is the highway leading to the Frejus tunnel

At the bottom of the valley is the highway that leads to the Frejus tunnel passing through Susa, Oulx and Bardonecchia

The trail enters the woods above Chateau-Beaulard

In the evening, return to the village of Chateau-Beaulard, completing the circular route

The trial path

By: Carlo Piccinelli

The path on Google Maps.
Chateau Beaulard, at 1,387 m above sea level, is a small mountain village accessible by car above the town of Beaulard in the Upper Susa Valley between the towns of Oulx and Bardonecchia, on the road leading to the Frejus highway and railway tunnel. From Chateau, a path climbs through dense pine, fir, and larch forests to the hamlet of Vazon at 1,650 m. Here, there's an alpine refuge (la Chardouse) where you can enjoy typical local dishes. This refuge is also accessible by car. From Vazon, a dirt road leads up to the little church of Cotolivier, but it's not reached because shortly before, a path branches off, following a long, almost flat route to the base of the vast scree slope that climbs to the Desertes pass (2,553 m). A climb with an elevation gain of about 500 meters on a steep, sunny trail, the only rest stop being a recently restored bivouac just below the pass. After reaching the Desertes Pass, on the border between Italy and France, the Plampinet Valley appears, with the hamlet of Les Acles at its end. The trail soon turns toward the Orso Pass (2,481 m), which is reached after a short climb to the Ugo Blanchetti bivouac. After crossing the pass, a long and difficult descent begins on a very narrow trail that traverses a steep rock face until reaching the Guido Rey refuge at an altitude of 1,761 m. Here, you can stop for a well-deserved rest with wine and polenta, before finishing the trek back to Chateau Beaulard. A full-day trek over twenty kilometers, strenuous but with spectacular scenery and views over a length of approximately 24 km.
Links for more informations:
Refuge La Chardouse http://www.rifugiolachardouse.it/en/
Refuge Guido Rey: https://www.rifugioguidorey.eu/en/