Luca In The Alps

Overview Start point : Cergniaule (1300m), above Les Avants Best season : Winter with snowshoes or late spring Estimated duration : ~2h solo, ~3h in snow or with kids Elevation : about 350m Highest point : ~1630m unnamed pass Download GPS file This is, for some reason, one of my spring rituals. I hike it every year around March or April, even though I always end up recommending it more as a snowshoe trail in full winter . Still, there's something about that in-between season that draws me here—when the snow is receding, but not quite gone. Starting the Hike The trail starts in Cergniaule (1300m) , just above Les Avants and a bit past the Sonloup funicular’s top station , which also marks the highest point of the famous Narcisses hike . There's a small parking area and a public refuge that's always open. In spring, you’ll usually find a tiny café open too—great for a quick coffee before heading off. The road splits almost immediately. While the Col du Soladier...

Overview Starting Point: Parking lot below the ski lifts in Arolla (1998m) End Point: Same as the starting point (circular route) Estimated Time: 2.5 - 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate (challenging without snowshoes) Total Elevation Gain: ~150m Highest Point: ~2150m Key Features: Snowshoe trail, metal artworks, ski slope crossings, forest paths Family-Friendly?: Yes, but some sections are challenging with small children Download GPS file The Beginning: Setting Off from Arolla Le Sentier des Innombrables in Arolla (1998m) is a scenic snowshoe trail featuring large metal artworks along the route. You can find all relevant information about it here . The trail begins at the parking lot just below the ski lifts in Arolla. Walk to the end of the parking area, where the road becomes snowy, and follow it for a few hundred meters until you see signs directing you to the right. That day, Gaia was not in the mood. And when Gaia isn’t in the mood, everything becomes more chall...