Pila

From Lake Chamolè to Rifugio Arbolle, passing through the marmot trail

Loop itinerary starting from the center of Pila and allowing you to reach some of the most iconic viewpoints of the area, from which you can admire the Chamolè Lake, the Arbolle Lake with a view of Monte Emilius, the city of Aosta, the Comboè valley and the highest peaks and glaciers of Europe.

Detailed track description

To gain altitude, take the Chamolé chairlift, which takes you directly to an altitude of 2300 meters. From here, take the Marmotte Trail, a rocky path protected by wooden balustrades, initially steep, then flatter, where there are some benches where you can rest and contemplate the views.

In about 15 minutes you reach the first stop of this itinerary, Lake Chamolé.

A small hill on the left is the perfect spot to admire the lake. From here, turn right at the only intersection to take trail 102. The trail climbs steeper but does not present technical difficulties. Along the entire trail you can admire the lake from above. About halfway up, a rather obvious rock is perfect for a short break if you are feeling tired.

The time it takes to reach the top of the climb is about 1:15 hours. As soon as you reach the highest point, the view opens up to the Lake of Arbolle and the Monte Emilius behind it. The opportunity to take a few photos from this viewpoint is a must. The route continues along a steep descent, where it is essential to use the ropes positioned specifically. In a short time you reach the Rifugio Arbolle, where in addition to being able to use the services of the refuge, you can also refill your water at the fountain available outside the structure. At the refuge you can stay overnight or enjoy a typical mountain lunch.

When returning back from the same descent itinerary, you need to pay attention again to the steep section flanked by the ropes, this time on the way up. You cross the pass and descend to the lake Chamolé trail intersection, where you turn right to take the last stretch of the Marmotte Trail again. The trail runs along a partly wooded ridge where on one side you can admire the city of Aosta, and on the other the Comboè Valley. Leaving the ridge trail to the left, you reach the 2458 meters of Col Replan in a short time, where an orientation table shows the names of all the iconic mountains that can be seen from this viewpoint, starting from Mont Blanc to Rosa and, further in the distance, to the Matterhorn.

From here, the itinerary returns with a descent with gentler slopes to Plan Fenêtre, after about 2 kilometers of development for 100 meters of negative altitude you reach a last viewpoint, which overlooks Mont Blanc on one side and the Comboè valley on the other. Two large benches make this place perfect for one last stop before starting the return to Pila. From here, the trail almost always crosses the woods, to open up near the Chamolè alpine pasture, at an altitude of 2150 meters, where, if the time is right, you can meet the herds grazing. Near the barn, there is also a fountain for hikers. As you approach the end of the loop, you cross some trails of the bike park, be careful of the bikes that pass by.

The itinerary ends where it started, after about 4:30 hours of walking for 17 kilometers and 600 meters of positive altitude.