Logistics.
We will not be doing a loop, so the starting place cannot be reached by car: we will get there by bus (organized by us).
On Sunday July 12, we will pick up people either in Chivasso at 11:00 or in Ivrea at 11:30.
Chivasso is easy to reach by train from Milano (leaving at about 9AM) or from Torino (leaving at about (930AM). The train schedule and tickets are here: trenitalia.com. Ivrea is also easy to reach by car via the A5 highway. In Ivrea there will be a (public, free, unattended) parking space where you can leave your car until the end of the tour here: 45.45191433081665N, 7.862204008315718E , which is very close to the A5 highway Ivrea exit.
(We will be asking you where you want to be picked up.)
We will reach Estoul, the starting point, close to Brusson, by bus. We will have a picnic (organized by us) for lunch along the way or before we'll start walking.
On the first day we will reach the Rifugio Arp. It will be an easy 2-3 hour hike with a gradual start.
In the next 4 days we will be walking north along Val D'Ayas, sleeping in beautiful secluded huts (Rifugio Vieux Crest, Rifugio Guide Frachey, Rifugio Gran Tournalin), and finally crossing into Valtournenche, which is the valley that ends on the Italian side of the Matterhorn (it's called "Cervino" in Italy).
The last night will be spent in Chamois , here, which is a typical alpine village. It cannot be reached by car!
On the last day, Friday July 17, we will provide a bus to go back to Ivrea and Chivasso. People can choose to stop in Chamois or elsewhere in the valley (please arrange your stay on your own in this case. We will try to be in Chivasso by 18:30 so that you can be in Milano by 20:00 or in Torino by 19:30. If, instead, you choose to stay in Chamois, take the cablecar down, and then there are public buses from Buisson to go to Aosta or Chatillon, where you can catch the train to wherever. If you go to Aosta, please vist the beautiful town center, where you'll find some amazing Roman ruins. If you decide to stay in Valtournenche, please be aware that Cervinia (the city below the Matterhorn) is rather depressing, as it has been devastated by overbuilding.
For any questions on the logistics, please contact Lorenzo.
For suggestions on the gear to bring, please see here.
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