Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
D22
Rifugio Dondena » Alpe Péradza
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5h00 |
12.077 km
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440 m
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99 m
This part of the trail is of traditional significance in three different ways: first as a route used in the past by locals going to market in nearby Piedmont, then as an old hunting trail used by Vittorio Emanuele II and finally from the religious point of view as the destination of an important pilgrimage. The trail crosses a green cirque, skirts around a rock face and passes two big lakes.
The route follows Alta Via trail no. 2 linking Champocher to Courmayeur. It goes through a grassy valley, home to a large community of marmots and, after a brief stretch along a cliff face, it leads to Lake Misérin and the Misérin hut. It belongs to Champorcher parish and on the 5th August every year it is the backdrop to an important pilgrimage, that of the Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snow). Leave the Alta Via no. 2 trail and follow the signs labelled 7b and 7c to the Pontonnet pass. The trail then leads down into the valley, with a fairly level stretch circling Lake Ponton. It leads on to Alpe di Peradzà and the Sogno di Perdzì hut. This stage ends here. The trail from here links up with the Alta Via no. 2 trail. (Regione Valle d’Aosta)
Natural and cultural heritage
This stage was the standard route for those travelling from Cogne to Bard or Ivrea in nearby Piedmont. The usual way across is via the Fenêtre pass (1825m) but the Pontonnet pass is a good alternative. From the slopes of Champocher, the trail follows the old hunting track, put there by order of king Vittorio Emanuele II in the 19th century. In 1863 he also had the Casa di Caccia (hunting lodge) built, which is now the Dondena hut. On Lake Misérin is the Shrine where the Madonna delle Nevi pilgrimage ends. It takes place every year on 5th August and brings the villagers of the Champorcher, Cogne and Val Soana valleys, (the latter in the Piedmont region), together. The pilgrimages and processions illustrate the how deeply religious beliefs were held by mountain people. Often these were encouraged by fears and superstitions not uncommon in difficult and isolated areas and circumstances. Other signs of religious faith are the crosses placed on many peaks to stand guard over the villages below, and the devotion to miracle-performing saints. The most popular of these in Aosta Valley are: San Grato, patron saint of Aosta, celebrated on 7th September; Sant'Orso on 30th January, who lends his name to the famous festival of typical Aosta Valley handicrafts, which has been going now for over a thousand years; Sant'Anselmo, a bishop from Aosta who became archbishop of Canterbury; Sant'Antonio, known for protecting animals from cruelty; San Rocco against contagious diseases. In June, many villages light fires to San Giovanni (St. John) (24th June) and St. Peter and St Paul (29th June). After the thaw it is traditional to clear the pastures of bushes and shrubs and build a bonfire. These are seen as purification rites after the winter and a celebration of the summer season to come. (Regione Valle d’Aosta)
Useful topographic maps
Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso ~ Istituto Geografico Centrale (1:50.000)
Useful guidebooks
Guida n°2-I monti di Aosta, Cogne, l'Avic e Champorcher, Luca Zavatta. ~ Le Guide dell'Escursionista (ISBN )
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
FX - 2023-10-10
(suite) Le refuge Dondena étant à proximité d'un chemin carrossable accessible aux véhicules, les Refuges Dondena et Miserin ayant des espaces de restauration, sont bondés de monde les WE et les lacs environnants servent de plages de bronzage !
Emportez de l'eau au Refuge Miserin car elle se fait plus rare ensuite.
FX - 2023-10-10
Selon descriptif www.viaalpina.org, itinéraire réalisé de Riale (D1) à MontCenis (D34) du 19/08 au 12/09/23.
Trace GPX D22 : https://www.openrunner.com/route-details/17200846
Ce parcours prévoit de rejoindre Sogno di Berdzé al Péradzà via les Cols Féris, Pontonnet et plusieurs lacs, mais une variante bien plus courte permet de le rejoindre directement via la Finestra de Champorcher, plus minérale et magnifique.
Cf. ViaAlpina Blue - D22 var. (Finestra di Camporcher) : https://www.openrunner.com/route-details/17072071
Attention le Refuge Peradza est fermé depuis 2021. Il est surement possible de bivouaquer à proximité mais troupeau d'élevage (donc prévoyez de l'eau en amont).
I hiked in the early July this year from Dondena via Colle di Laris, 2584m, to Piamprato. A lot of snow then but no difficulties though. When you hit the skilift access road use it, following the path you end up Granges cow closure and have to cross electric wire three times.
Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta - 2013-07-02
I confirm you that rifugio Sogno is closed. You can proceed till Miserin Hut instead of stopping at Dondena. It will be shorter to reach Piamprato, even if the stage is going to be harder.
tarjako - 2013-06-23
On www.rifugiosogno.com it says that the rifugio is closed, maybe permanently. Any other rifugio nearby? Or should I reroute my trekking when I start it 1.7.13 from Verrés?
|
5h00 |
12.077 km
|
440 m
|
99 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.