Lacs de Champlong, from Vieu

Access

Leave the motorway junction at Châtillon, turn left and continue for about 300m until you come to a roundabout: take the third exit and continue straight on Via E. Chanoux. Cross the historic centre of Châtillon for about 600m and then turn slightly right onto Via Menabreaz to follow for 450m to the characteristic roundabout with the "Matterhorn" inside. Take the second exit and take the Valtournenche road for about 7.6km to Antey-Saint-André, where you turn right onto the to La Magdeleine. Climb up the regional road for about 7.8km until you reach the main town of Brengon. Drive past the parish church and, after a few hundred metres, park your car in the covered car park 🅿️ at Vieu. If the car park is full, you can continue along the little communal road that a little further on has pay parking spaces on the edge of it (6€ per day from 8 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. - coin or easypark).

[0h25'] - [17.1km]
How to get there with GMaps
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These indications are based on direct verification at the time of the survey of the route so the information should be verified before starting the hike. We recommend using a GPS navigator or map app on your smartphone to get up-to-date and detailed directions.

Introduction

The Champlong lakes are located in the municipality of La Magdeleine, in Valle d'Aosta, Italy. Below is some information about the Champlong Lakes:

• Location: The Champlong Lakes are located in the valley of La Magdeleine, at an altitude of about 2,000 metres. This area is characterised by natural beauty and an impressive mountain landscape.
• Accessibility: The Champlong Lakes can be reached via hiking trails that start from the centre of the municipality of La Magdeleine. Local hiking guides can be consulted for detailed information on routes and level of difficulty.
• Features: The Champlong Lakes are two alpine lakes of glacial origin. They are surrounded by green meadows and typical alpine vegetation. The lakes offer a peaceful atmosphere and are an ideal place to relax and enjoy nature.
• Activities: The Champlong Lakes are a popular destination for nature lovers and hikers. You can hike around the lakes, admiring the surrounding landscape and enjoying the peace and tranquillity of the area. It is also possible to fish in the lakes, subject to prior authorisation and compliance with local regulations.

It is important to note that weather conditions and seasons may affect the accessibility and safety of the Champlong Lakes. Before embarking on any excursion, it is advisable to consult local guides and check the route conditions.

Description

0h00' Near the covered car park, a grassy lane quickly leads onto the municipal road. Cross the road and walk close to the marker post indicating the start of the path .

0h05' Follow the path which, after skirting a farmhouse, climbs up the slope through pastures interspersed with a few thickets of woodland. You easily gain height while enjoying pleasant panoramic views of the villages of La Magdeleine below and the not too distant Lake Lod until you reach a crossroads: leave the track to the left, which leads to the communal road, and turn right.

0h15' Proceed to the right following the obvious path, even in the absence of any signs on the ground, following an ascending diagonal that leads to the ulmina pastures with a short rocky step passing a stretch of path bordered by a wooden railing near a short rocky step. The trail leads onto the wide pastures of Landasse, leaving the alpine pastureland to the right.

0h25' Follow the signposts on the "Big Bench" signpost board, taking a small "single-track" path that is almost flat and heads eastwards. The path then starts to climb again and without any particular effort you reach the Valery alpine pasture (1900m). Continue along the path heading towards the solitary hamlet of Pilaz (1961m) and shortly to Col Pilaz (1966m) 0h45' - where there is a picnic area with a fountain 💧 and, a little further on on the right is the red Big Bench #0125.

From the pass turn right and start to follow the track that after a few hundred metres enters the larch forest. After an initial bump, the ascent proceeds steadily and leads first to the ruins of Charey desot, which can be seen on the right, and then, after passing a short plateau, to the Charey damon mountain pasture (2241m, 1h30').
The walk continues past the mountain pasture until it reaches the edge of a wide plateau and then turns right following the summer track. You climb a short step, making a wide curve to the left until you reach the plateau that precedes the mountain pasture. The scenery from here on is decidedly idyllic, continuous ups and downs amidst the chiaroscuro that winter can draw in these parts. The destination of the hike is finally reached, the Champlong alp (2321m, 2h00').