Pila

The path starts in front of the Aosta-Pila cablecar arrival. It is easily recognizable as it’s a large farm road that reaches the Saint Grat Hermitage. The path, after having left the Hermitage, continues on the right with series of turnings inside the wood. Passed the Chamolé pasture the path, a little steeper, carries to the Chamolé lake. Continue on to the left of the lake, along the trail which, after a series of bends, reaches the Chamolé pass, 2541 m (1hr). The panorama here opens out across to Emilius, 3357 m, whose pyramid-shaped outline is clearly visible from Aosta. Here it is easy to come across marmots which have set up a large colony in this valley. Climb down to Arbolle Refuge, which stands on the bank of another lake, about half an hour away from the pass. In this area it is not uncommon to see the golden eagle, unmistakable in its stationary flight, and, if you are lucky, also a few chamois and ibex.