Lake Vargno, from Pillaz

Access

Leaving the motorway at Pont-Saint-Martin, after 100 m turn right, go through a traffic light and continue for about 600 m to the crossroads for Gressoney. Enter Pont-Saint-Martin and after 1.2 km turn right onto the regional road for the Gressoney valley. A few kilometres beyond the village turn right and cross the bridge over the Lys stream along the communal road to the hamlet of Pillaz (16.5 km).
Leave your car in the small square on the right where the traffic ban begins.

Introduction

Short but interesting hike that provides a first taste of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. The route, entirely on a dirt track, is suitable for everyone and presents no difficulty.

Description

Leaving the car behind, we proceed along the dirt track, which is forbidden to traffic by a traffic ban. The route is comfortable and the gradient is moderate enough to allow a pain-free start. The road enters the valley of the Pacoulla, a stream flowing in the impluvium about a hundred metres below, crossing a beautiful forest of silver fir, larch, birch and a few rowan trees. After a kilometre's walk, you will come to a signpost indicating the fork to Pian Coumarial, signposted (1410m, 0h20'). 

You ignore the track to the right and continue straight on until you reach a second fork: go straight on, ignoring the little road that descends to the left. A few minutes' walk and you come to a small votive shrine; from here the road begins to climb more steeply. After a straight stretch of ascent, the road takes a few hairpin bends that allow you to gain a hundred metres in height, at the end of which the road reduces its gradient and soon reaches the vicinity of the stream. Cross the stream at an artificial ford and start climbing again with a couple of hairpin bends leading to the junction for Col Marmontana, marker (2A) (1664m, 1h20').

Follow the path and continue along the small road until you reach the first of the Vargno cottages and, shortly afterwards, the Alta Via 1 and the path for the Balma di Oropa (1700m, 1h25'): go straight on, following the signs for the Coda hut; shortly afterwards the track ends and you turn right. Continue on the path and descend to the embankment containing the lake (1664m, 1h30').
The descent follows the same route as the ascent.

General Information

Signposts:
Type of route: a/r
Recommended period: June, July, August, September, October
Exposure to sunshine:West