Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R119
Valgrisenche » Refuge de l'Archeboc
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7h45 |
17.6 km
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1601 m
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1239 m
The trail goes through conifer woods, pastures, rocky areas and the San Grato lake, from where there are views of la Grande Rousse, la Becca du Lac and la Tête du Rutor. It then heads up towards the Col du Mont pass, an old route connecting Aosta Valley and the Tarentaise. Via Alpina crosses the French border here and heads back downhill towards the stage destination: the Archeboc hut.
The stage begins at Valgrisenche church. The trail leads to Ferrata Béthaz, marked 17, 14a, and then it joins the old military trail, built out of compacted earth, which climbs through woods, conifer woods, pastures and rocky areas to the high pastures at Arp Vieille. The trail then continues past a ruined fort "Cabane Marguerite" and reaches a broad plain just below the slopes of Mount Arp Vieille. Follow the signs for trail 14a and, after a brief uphill stretch, the oratory of San Grato sits on the banks of Lake San Grato. The lake is a stagnagnt pool of water in a valley. The peaks of Becca du Lac and Testa del Rutor loom over it. Every year on the 5th August, a procession, dedicated to Notre Dame des Neiges, (Our Lady of the Snow), makes its way here. Cross the bridge and the trail heads down along the right-hand slopes of the San Grato valley. After some rather steep stretches, with magnificent views of the Grande Rousse peak and its glaciers, and of Mount Ormelune, a long, grassy slope leads down to a small, relatively new stone bridge. Ignore the bridge and turn right, crossing a second stone bridge encountered further along. The trail numbered 13a begins here. It climbs to a verdant morainic plain and the ruins of the Seigne barracks, used by customs officials during the two wars. The trail heads on uphill to the Col du Mont pass, used in the past by smugglers, emigrants and also traders. On the other side of the pass is the Mercurel valley in France and the Archeboc hut. (Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta)
From Col di Mont (Monte) (2636 metres) follow the path down to Archeboc mountain hut (2029 metres). (Henri Emprin, CDRP 73)
Natural and cultural heritage
Climbing to the Mont pass there are the remains of some barracks, such as the Seigne barracks, which were used by customs officials between the wars. But military presence here dates back much further. Towards the end of the 18th century this was the site of a battle between the French troops and the Austro-Hungarian army. The historical figure of Capitan Chamonin, was born in Valgrisenche in 1762. In 1799, with a group of about 40 chasseurs alpins (mountain hunters), he retook the Col du Mont pass, crushing the French troops. The pass traditionally linked Italy to the French Tarantaise valley and was used by emigrants, traders and smugglers. Every year, towards the end of July, the villagers from either side of the pass hold a traditional gathering and, at the top of the pass, a stone structure bears a sign which describes the close union and fraternity between the two peoples. It also recalls the fact that the mountains and the passes do not divide but instead unite. Above the pass, the remains of Captain Mathieu’s mountain refuge are still visible. Once over the pass, the view is of the Mercurel valley, where the Archeboc hut is situated. The Via Alpina trail now enters France and the signposts here are different.
(Regione Autonoma Valle d’Aosta)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
Haute route des Glaciers and Alta Via 2 trails.
Useful topographic maps
Gran Paradiso ~ Kompass (1:50.000)
Parco nazionale del Gran Paradiso ~ Istituto Geografico Centrale (1:50.000)
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.
Kat - 2023-08-18
Ricovero Ten. cucco, sorry
Kat - 2023-08-18
Fantastic stage. I disobeyed the GPX file by accident after Arp Vieille and took the cliffside path to Revera Alta via a collapsing building named Ricovero Ten Alto. Saved an hour, the views were spectacular, and if you like portaledge-style flat spots with sheer edges and extraordinary valley panoramas, hoo boy this one had some of the best! Just wide enough for a, uh, two-person picnic rug.
Socrate Georgiades - 2019-09-06
Exténuante étape dans le brouillard et une pluie glacée pénétrante en plein mois de juillet. Il semble qu'on peut éviter le long détour par le lac de san Grato en suivant la route en fond de vallée puis attaper sur la gauche le sentier qui mène directement au col du mont.
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Exhausting stage in the fog and a penetrating icy rain in the middle of July. It seems that you can avoid the long detour to the lake of San Grato by following the road at the end of the valley and then to the left on the path that leads directly to the mountain pass.
Berta - 2018-07-28
Refuge de l'Archeboc ist sehr angenehm, sehr freundliche Leute und sehr gutes Abendessen. Reservieren ist empfehlenswert (Tel: 0479068719). Lager + Halbpension 41€
Automatic translation
[Google]
Refuge de l'Archeboc is very pleasant, very friendly people and very good dinner. Reservations are recommended (Tel: 0479068719). Camp + half board 41 €
Col Du Mont had snow on the Italian side. Spent 1 hour looking from the trail down to Italy as well due to fog. At Col du Mont, if you follow a trail that goes north, you will find an abandoned refuge, with the roof still intact. It would make a good place to sleep, if you do now wish to spend the night at "Refuge de l'Archeboc."In late June, there was icy snow going down Col du Mont. Crampons and walking sticks were a must. Going down the Italian side, there is also an abandoned house; possible to sleep there as well. "Le Vieux Quartier" is a fantastic place to sleep for half pension in Valgrisenche.
Difficult to find accurate maps of the Italian side as well.
Travelling north to south, we decided to combine this stage with the next one.
After leaving the excellent Maison de Myrtilles we followed the road past Valorisenche along the valley until we saw the sign post for the Col du Mont, which helpfully reduced the days travel. Later on we had a choice to follow the wide principle trail or take the shorter route up the river valley, where the trail gets lost among the rocks of the river until it resumes at a large cairn. We choose the wider trail, although in retrospect the alternative was passible.
Note that in October there was nothing, not even water at the refuge de l'Archeboc. Around 500m further on the trail we reached a few buildings, and a local lady kindly showed us to the melt water supply about 50m to the left.
Too much snow in June 2013 on the way down from Col du mont. Possible to bypass lago di san grato
refuge de l'archeboc - col du mont is marked 1h40 on site.2h30 for me with snow almost all the way up.
The way down from Col du mont to Valgrisenche is not steep , take a left with the water stream in sight
The sheeperd house of Vallon St grat down from Col du mont can be reached in an hour (snow), 2h30 to reach Valgrisenche bypassing lago di san grato
refuge Archeboc : Behavior have changed since Henk experience in 2010. French Alpine hospitality, not good, not bad. You need something (accomodation or food): you pay for it et basta. Great location tho
Dom Lalot - 2013-09-01
J'ai passé une super soirée avec Luc le propriétaire à parler Alpinisme et Chamonix. C'est un mec sympa et je reviendrai sans hésiter. Il ne faut pas être négatif sur ce refuge. Il se peut que la fatigue aidant certains aient eu une mauvaise expérience mais je continue à recommander le refuge.
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I spent a great evening with Luc owner talking Mountaineering and Chamonix. It is a nice guy and I will definitely try. Do not be negative on this refuge. Perhaps tiredness helping some have had a bad experience but I still recommend the refuge.
Famba - 2013-07-17
Hüttenwirt von Archeboc war sehr nett. Quartier war Anfang September 2012 kein Problem, auch ohne Anmeldung. Essen war sehr lecker.
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Host of the refuge of Archeboc was very nice. Quarter was no problem even without registration beginning September 2012. Food was very tasty.
I had a totally different experience. I already booked a mattress in the dormitory in advance (due to the first comment on this website).
As I arrived at the hut, the hut warden and his wife were really kind. Since I was hiking a little bit to fast (I arrived shortly past 12pm), I asked for canceling the reservation and they told me, that this is no problem. They also recommended an accommodation in a few hours distance on the next day via alpina path. They also made the reservation for me via a phone call.
I agree with henk. The warden at l'Archeboc refuge is one nasty fellow. (We even took our shoes off). Although the place was empty, we had no reservations and he flew into a rage, saying he was 'sick and tired of Via Alpina hikers just showing up.' As he deliberated over lunch whether or not to "let" us stay, we thanked him for his hospitality and continued down the mountain to stay in St. Foy at a small hotel. However, we were told that there is another refuge slightly off the trail just down the hill from l'Archeboc hut. Perhaps this is a better choice. It's too bad that this fellow at l'Archeboc refuge is not more supportive of the VA. Tant pis. (I go into detail about this and other red route stages in Over the Top & Back Again: Hiking X the Alps, my new book.) We made the Red Route crossing from Trieste to Monaco in summer 2009. Hope this helps.
henk - 2010-09-30
Cette été, on a passé nos vacances à Bourg saint Maurice.
un jour, on avait réservé une nuitée au refuge de l'archeboc, que j'ai appelé deux fois pour savoir ce qu'on devait emmener et prévoir, se serait notre premier aventure dans un gîte.
on pars d'en bas, du site d'escalade et on motive notre fille de 4 ans de faire les 600 m de dénivelé toute seule en lui motivant en cueillant des baies, de regarder des marmottes, du fait qu'elle allait dormir dans un refuge en haut de la montagne, etc,...
après 3 h de marche on arrives au refuge. on rentre dans la salle et on dis bonjour, sans plus.
on retourne dehors et on se met derrière pour profiter du coucher du soleil.
des autres gens invitent notre fille à visiter les chambres. je la suis et on redescends par les escaliers pour arriver dans la grande salle.
en arrivant là, le gérant nous demande si on viens de descendre avec nos chaussures. je dis oui et je vois que ça ne plait pas. je prends la remarque "ça commence bien", je me mets dans le couloir et j'enlève mes chaussures, vraiment gêné....
ma femme rentres par la porte principale, je lui dit d'enlever les chaussures et on se mets à une table. ma femme va demander si on peut savoir ou est notre chambre et le gérant continues sur son élan. "déjà votre mari il est monté avec ses chaussures,prenez garde". quand elle demandait si on pouvait monter à notre chambre tout seul, il répondait "sûrement pas, vous ne montez pas tout seul".
on était choqué! on s'est remis à une table et après un quart d'heure on à attaqué notre descente vers notre voiture...vraiment dégoûte, en essayant d'expliquer le pourquoi à notre fille.
arrivé en bas, on reçoit le sms suivant (j'avais donné mon portable pour réserver): "vous nous devez 30 eur. cela devrait vous tenir éloigné mr malappris. grossier merde!"
encore plus choqué de cette accueil, je réponds qu'il peut venir les chercher à midi à BSM et que je lui mettrai en place, et il réponds "oubliez moi! dormez en paix et apprenez à bien vous conduire"
j'ai répondu en lui disant qu'il entendra encore de moi....
je trouve que c'est grave d'avoir un accueil comme celui là, surtout que nulle part il y a marqué que le gite est interdit avec des chaussures...
henk
Automatic translation
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This summer we spent our holiday in Bourg Saint Maurice. one day, we booked a night at the Refuge de l'Archeboc, I called twice to know what we had to take and plan, would our first adventure in a cottage. we start from below, from the climbing site, and it motivates our 4 year old daughter to the 600 m elevation alone motivating him picking berries, watch marmots, because she was going to sleep in a top of the mountain refuge, etc ... after 3 hours of walking we arrived at the shelter. we go into the room and say hello, no more. is turned off and gets behind to enjoy the sunset. other people invite our daughter to visit the rooms. I am and back down the stairs to get into the great hall. arriving there, the manager asked us if we just go down with our shoes. I say yes and I see that they do not like. I take the remark "it begins well" I put myself in the hallway and I take off my shoes, really embarrassed .... my wife come home through the front door, I told him to take off shoes and put himself in a table. my wife will ask if we can know where is our room and the manager continued its momentum. "Your husband is already fitted with shoes, be careful." when she asked if we could go up to our room alone, he replied "certainly not, you do not stand alone." we were shocked! it was handed over to a table and after fifteen minutes we attacked in our descent to our car ... really disgusted, trying to explain why our daughter. came downstairs the following sms is received (I gave my mobile to book): "you owe us 30 eur this should keep you away mr rude unmannerly shit..!" even more shocked this home, I answer that he can pick them up at noon in BSM and I will put it in place, and answer "forget me sleep in peace and learn to behave properly" I answered saying he still hear me .... I think it is serious to have a home like this, especially as there is nowhere marked the cottage is prohibited with shoes ... henk
Via Alpina International Secretariat - 2009-09-28
Please note that it is essential to book in advance to stay at the Archeboc hut. The hut is open from late June until early September (no winter room available). - Nathalie Morelle, Via Alpina International Secretariat
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7h45 |
17.6 km
|
1601 m
|
1239 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.