The Sentiero Attrezzato della Grande Chenalette climbs from the Colle del Gran San Bernardo up to 2950m of the Valdostana peak, with technical traits on rock diedri in an alpine border between Italy and Switzerland.

How to arrive and approach

The starting point is located at the Colle del Gran San Bernardo (2469m), the Alpine pass on the border between Valle d’Aosta and Switzerland, reachable from Italy via the hill road or the Traforo del Gran San Bernardo. It is parked in the area of the hospice, on the Swiss side of the pass. Approximation takes about 1h20′′: go up north passing near the ruins of the ski slopes of the 80’s until a panoramic viewpoint at altitude 2650m. The real attack of the equipped section is located at 2780m, about 1h20′ from the parking lot.

The path

From altitude 2780m begins the equipped section of the Great Chenalette. The route develops on a rocky dihedron assisted by metal pioli and fixed ropes for a height difference of 108m in about 1 hour. The progression on rock is technical but the equipment is well placed. The summit of the Great Chenalette (2950m) is the destination of the itinerary: from here the panorama stretches over the Pennine Alps to the Italian-Swiss border in all directions.

Character and difficulty

Path difficult especially for the high altitude (about 2950m) and exposure of the dihedron. Despite the relative brevity (6.4km, 1 hour of equipped stretch), the altitude requires good acclimatization and trained physical. The technical-athletic complexity index is high on all parameters. Difficulty: Hard. Route for experienced climbers and mountaineers accustomed to high altitude.

Period and safety

Recommended from July to August. At 2950m snow and ice can persist even in summer, especially in the equipped dihedron exposed to the north. The strong wind is frequent on the border ridge. Carefully check the nivometeorological conditions before taking the excursion. Complete fitting indispensable.

Discipline

The descent takes place on the way up: from the equipped diedro comes back to the belvedere at 2650m and then to the hospice of the Gran San Bernardo. Total excursion time: about 3h30′.

To match

The Gran San Bernardo is located in the heart of the Valdostane Alps. The Aosta Valley offers some of the most demanding ferrates in the Western Alps, in a unique high glacial mountain context. Nearby are alpine paths on the ridge of the Italo-Swiss border.

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