Luca In The Alps

Overview Start point : Barrage de Moiry (2,110 m) Highest point : Cabane de Moiry (2,825 m) Distance : Approx. 11 km round trip Elevation gain : ~700 m Hiking time : ~4–5 hours round trip Difficulty : Moderate Download GPS file This hike starts at the Barrage de Moiry , located at the end of one of the branches of Val d'Anniviers . The lower parking lot at the base of the dam is already at an impressive altitude of 2,110 meters . There is a second parking lot at the top of the dam at around 2,250 meters , but it’s often closed to vehicles. From the lower parking, a trail zigzags up the mountainside and leads you to the top of the dam in about 20 minutes . Take a moment to walk across the dam—it's massive and offers a dramatic view down its vertical drop from the center. From here, the trail follows the left bank of the Lac de Moiry , an artificial lake with a surreal turquoise color that contrasts beautifully with the surrounding landscape. After a few hundre...

  Overview Starting point: Col du Pillon (1,546m) Lift dropoff : Scex Rouge, (2950m) Arrival: Le Sommet des Diablerets (3,210m) Altitude gain: 300m Duration: 3h (loop) Difficulty: Medium Technical difficulty: Moderate Download GPS file Le Sommet des Diablerets is the highest peak in Vaud , the canton where I live. I had wanted to climb it for some time, but it’s one of those places that’s too easy to take a guide for yet too challenging to tackle alone. Fortunately, a colleague with much more mountain experience than me agreed to guide me! This trip was particularly exciting because, for the first time, I would be doing it on skis . Last year, my dad gave me his old ski touring skis, but I hadn’t yet had the chance to use them. Earlier this season, I tested them on a short tour at Le Chasseron. They were old but functional—good enough for Les Diablerets. The Ascent The tour began at the cable car in Col du Pillon , which took us straight up to 2950m at Glacier 3000. This are...

Overview: Starting point: Passo Fedaia (2,057m) Arrival: Punta Penia (3,343m) Altitude gain: 1,286m Duration: 1 day Difficulty: Hard Technical difficulty: Medium Download GPS file I was in Istria, preparing for the trip to my parents’ chalet in Nevegal (Belluno) the next day. My guided tour to Punta Penia, the highest peak of Marmolada — the Queen of the Dolomites —was scheduled for two days later, allowing me time to travel and rest. However, the agency called with unexpected news: rain was forecasted for my planned climb, but the day before was looking perfect. Could I anticipate the climb? I hesitated . It would be a rush, but the opportunity was too good to pass up. In the end, I said yes. The Journey Begins After a long drive, we arrived in Nevegal at 18:00. The tour was set to start at 5:00 at Passo Fedaia, a 1.5-hour drive from Nevegal. With an early wake-up looming, I had dinner and tried to sleep by 20:00—but I couldn’t. Maybe it was too early, or maybe it was the exci...

Overview : Starting point: Turtmann Valley, Senntum parking (1,900m) Arrival: Barrhorn summit (3,610m) Altitude gain: 1,700m Duration: 2 days (if not an ultra-runner) Difficulty: Moderate Technical difficulty: Low (some ropes, loose gravel, altitude effects) Download GPS file The Barrhorn is known as the highest officially marked hiking trail in the Alps that doesn’t require mountaineering equipment. At 3,610m , you reach the summit with nothing more than a good pair of boots (plus the usual mountain essentials, of course). The route passes by the Turtmannhütte , offering breathtaking views of glaciers and high peaks along the way. Day 1: The Ascent to Turtmannhütte I started the hike at the parking lot in the valley , sitting at 1,900m .  💡 Important tip: bring cash! The parking is paid, and my phone had no signal, so I couldn’t use the app. Since I had neither cash nor network , I had to take my chances and leave my car as it was. I told myself I’d pay as soon as I got ...

Overview Starting point:  Staffal (1800m) Arrival point:  Capanna Margherita (4554m) Lift dropoff:  Punta Indren (3200m) Altitude gain:  1300m Time:  2 days (at least for normal people like me) Difficulty:  Difficult (especially due to the altitude) Technical difficiulty : Easy Download GSP file If you love mountaineering, you can't miss  Capanna Margherita . At  4,554m , it’s the highest mountain hut in Europe and, surprisingly, accessible to anyone with  average fitness . I went with a friend, joining a  guided tour  organized by  MonteRosaBooking . It cost us  €420 , and I can say— worth every cent! You can start your ascent from  Staffal (Gressoney)  or  Alagna . Either way, you take the lifts (included in our tour in our case)  up to Passo dei Salati (3,000m).  There we met our guide, Fabio. He immediately made us feel at ease, provided the necessary gear ( crampons and harnesses ), and then....