This loop trail connects two unique locations in the Champorcher area. The ascent partly follows the Royal Road, built by King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy to reach the royal hunting lodges in Dondena. The second part of the ascent traverses the slopes leading to Lake Vercoche, offering stunning views of the Monte Rosa massif and the Matterhorn. Lake Vercoche provides incredible tranquility, ideal for a break by its dark blue waters. Although the lake is natural, it has a dam that has been in operation since 1953. Despite being only 2 meters high, the dam holds a reservoir of over 965,000 m³ of water. This reservoir includes the sum of Lake Vercoche and Lake Piana, which is easily reachable with a 5-minute walk from Lake Vercoche. Lake Vercoche reaches a depth of 28 meters, and its waters feed the Vercoche stream and the Hône hydroelectric plant (in the valley floor). The descent follows the Vercoche Valley and the Legna Valley, magical and wild places where humans have harmoniously coexisted with nature for hundreds of years. This hike allows you to fully immerse yourself in the history of Champorcher, blending the royal and rural spirit.
First Segment: Chardonnay – Laris – Lake Vercoche (Trail n° 5 and 5D)
After leaving your car in the large parking area in Chardonnay, walk along the paved road until it ends near the historic center. Then cross the bridge, moving to the right bank of the Ayasse stream and pass a group of houses. From here, climb up to the Laris area via the Royal Road. This section is particularly notable for its scenic beauty. The Royal Road ascends sinuously with many switchbacks, initially passing under the cable car cables, then through forests, old fields, alpine pastures, and the Clos-du-Creux and Praz-Rion pastures. Continue up the Royal Road to a small votive chapel (on the left), where you should proceed straight (left fork leads to a farm road), avoiding the continuation of the Royal Road which here cuts into the forest to the right. After a short climb, you reach the Laris plains, with expansive alpine pastures and abandoned pastures. Follow the farm road, passing to the left of the cable car's terminus (these facilities are open during certain summer periods and can make the hike much easier). Proceed past the cable car terminus along the farm road (which in winter is a ski slope). Be attentive to the left side because, after about 600 meters from the cable car terminus, you need to take the trail (left at an elevation of 2040 m) leading to Lake Vercoche. Leave the farm road and follow the trail approaching a stream. Cross the stream and ascend through the forest until the trail sharply turns left near a large rock. From here, ascend the ridge of Bec Laris and, among the boulders, reach a saddle characterized by reddish rocks. Take a moment here to enjoy the incredible panoramic view and then continue on the trail that traverses the mountain slope. After a nearly flat section, you will enjoy a beautiful view of the lake. The trail then descends through boulders and reaches the lake shore. You can easily walk around the lake. After some rest, a short excursion of a few minutes to Lake Piana (2246 m) is recommended; the trail starts at the end of Lake Vercoche (2210 m, where the dam is visible).
Second Segment: Vercoche – Ourty – Chardonnay (Trail n° 4F, 4, 4H, AV2)
To descend towards the Legna Valley, retrace a few hundred meters back on the ascent trail (towards Laris) to reach an elevation of 2229 m (just after a tourist information sign). Find the trail descending steeply to the right, towards the Legna Valley. Once you find the trail, follow it to the Ourty pasture. This section of the hike is particularly wild and pristine. After a steep descent through several boulder fields, you reach the Vercoche plain and enter a sparse forest. Then cross the Vercoche stream, moving to its right bank, and reach the Vercoche pasture. Cross the long flat alpine meadow to find the trail again (descending to the left of a wooden bridge; do not cross the bridge). From here, descend through forests and boulder fields to the Ourty pasture (1490 m). Continue down the mule track to a group of abandoned houses characterized by a chalet and a monumental tree. In this section, you can savor the beauty of this unique place, admiring the old abandoned houses, the Bois stream, and the mule track descending gently through forests, small cultivated clearings, and large boulders used today for sport climbing. From the ruins (with chalet and monumental tree), find the left fork that will take you back to Castello and then Chardonnay (Trail n° 4H/AV2). This section of the trail crosses a large landslide and traverses the mountain slope to the left. With several ups and downs through the forest, you will arrive at the hamlet of Vignat. It is highly recommended to visit the upper area of the Goilli di Pourtset on the Ayasse stream, located near the intersection between Trail n° 4F and the trail from Outre l’Ève (at an elevation of 1383 m). This 5-minute round trip detour is worth it to admire the incredible erosion created by the Ayasse stream over its millennial course. From here, return to Chardonnay, staying on the right bank of the Ayasse stream until you reach the cable car terminus. You can also move to the regional road once you reach the pine forest area on the left bank of the Ayasse stream.
Technical Notes: Medium difficulty loop trail. The loop becomes significantly easier if you use the lift facilities, which are open during certain summer periods (LINK TO MONTEROSA SKI WEBSITE WITH DAYS AND HOURS). The lifts significantly reduce the elevation gain required and make the loop much easier and more accessible to those with lower physical preparation.
Variants:
- Lake Vercoche (with ascent from Laris, using lift facilities)
Trail Markers: 5
Elevation Gain: 340 m
Distance: 2.6 km (one way)
Ascent Time: 1h-1h30
Descent Time: 0h45-1h15 (return to Laris); 2h45-3h15 (if descending into the Legna Valley; completing the loop)
Difficulty: E - Lake Vercoche (with ascent and descent from Chardonnay)
Trail Markers: 9B - 9F - AV2 - 5 - 9 - 7 - 7B - 5A - 5B - 7C
Elevation Gain: 840 m
Distance: 6.3 km (one way)
Ascent Time: 2h30-3h
Descent Time: 1h45-2h15
Difficulty: E - Lake Vercoche (with ascent from Outre l’Ève)
Trail Markers: 4 - 4F
Elevation Gain: 1019 m
Distance: 5.7 km (one way)
Ascent Time: 3h-3h30
Descent Time: 2h-2h30 (return to Outre l’Ève); 1h45-2h15 (if descending to Chardonnay)
Difficulty: E
