This circular route will take you back in time through the history of the Champorcher Valley, allowing you to immerse yourself in the area's rural nature and royal history, once a hunting residence for the King of Italy. This loop connects various unique spots in the Champorcher region. Both proposed routes reach the Dondena Refuge, a former royal hunting lodge, where you can take a break and enjoy an excellent lunch.
For the MEDIUM VERSION, the ascent follows the "scaletta" path, an old stepped trail used by the inhabitants of Champorcher to access cultivated lands. You'll be immersed in an enchanting environment, surrounded by woods and the waters of the Ayasse stream. The "scaletta" leads to the Créton pastures (1902 m above sea level), where it meets the royal road, built by King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy to reach his royal hunting lodges in Dondena. The path then descends to the Ponte delle Maddalene area, where a break is recommended by the crystal-clear waters of the Ayasse stream, on a small natural island. The ascent to the Dondena Refuge continues through a lush forest. The descent follows a panoramic path down to the Laris area, and then along the royal road to Chardonnay, passing through alpine pastures and woods.
For the EASY VERSION, after taking the cable car, the ascent (after a short descent) follows a charming path through the Roèse di Bantze forest, used by the locals to reach the alpine pastures along the way. You'll be surrounded by an enchanting environment, with woods and the waters of several streams you’ll encounter. You'll then reach the royal road, built by King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy to access the Dondena hunting lodges. The route continues up to the Dondena Refuge, and the descent follows a panoramic path to the Laris-damon area, where you can take the cable car back. This hike allows you to fully immerse yourself in the history of Champorcher, blending both royal and rural spirit.
Once you leave your car in the Chardonney parking lot, take the cable car to the Laris-damon area. After getting off the cable car, find the dirt road that descends toward Chardonney. The road winds down through large pastures and then into a forest (Photos 3 and 4). After descending about a hundred meters into the woods, you'll reach a fork (at about 1825 m above sea level) near a votive shrine. Take the dirt road that cuts across the forest on the left-hand side. You'll pass beautiful clearings and sparse woods, eventually reaching the Ponte delle Maddalene (which you shouldn't cross). Before the bridge, find the start of trail no. 7D on the left, near a votive shrine. Climb through the sparse forest and pass to the left of the Panoïsaz pastures ( avoid the ruins to the left). Don't go all the way to the ruins, but instead, find the trail that ascends on the left (about twenty meters before the ruins) into a small valley with sparse forest. Follow the trail until you reach an altitude of about 2050 m above sea level. Here, avoid the trail on the left and continue on the trail that cuts across the Roise Forest (Bois de Roise) to the right, reaching a pasture with ruins. Descend slightly to the right, find the trail crossing the Roèse di Bantze stream via a bridge, and continue until you reach the dirt road that leads up to the Dondena Refuge (2185 m above sea level), passing the former royal hunting lodges of King Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy. Stop here for an excellent lunch at the refuge.
Third section: Dondena Refuge – Laris-damon – Chardonney (trails no. 5C and 5D)
After a well-deserved rest, head up the dirt road towards Cimetta Rossa/Cime Rousse. After crossing the Roèse di Bantze stream, find the start of trail no. 5C to the left. Follow this panoramic trail to Laris-damon (where the cable car arrives). This section of the hike is very scenic, first passing under an alpine pasture and then, after a steep descent, crossing a large alpine meadow along the mountainside. The last stretch, through the forest, leads to the ski slopes (now covered in grass). From here, take trail no. 5D, which descends to Laris-damon. From Laris-damon, take the cable car back down to Chardonney.
Technical notes: Suitable for families. The lifts are only open during certain periods in the summer
