Luca In The Alps

Overview Starting point: Les Avants (974m) Arrival: Sonloup (1,157m) Altitude gain: ~250m + some ups and downs for a total of 350m Duration: ~2 hours (loop) Difficulty: Easy Best season: June (for peak narcissus bloom) Family-friendly: Yes (even suitable for young children) Funicular option: Yes (Sonloup–Les Avants) Download GPS file This hike is a classic for me—one I’ve done many times and make sure to do almost every year. It’s the perfect way to inaugurate my new blog label, “Classics” —trails that I return to again and again because they never disappoint. Best Time to Visit The ideal period for this family-friendly loop hike is June , when the narcissus flowers are in full bloom. During this time, the alpine pastures transform into a breathtaking white carpet of blossoms, making it a truly magical experience. Starting Point: Les Avants The hike begins in Les Avants , where there’s a parking area in front of the train station. From there, walk about 100 meters back down th...

Overview Starting point: Jorasses parking, Ovronnaz (1,400m) Lift dropoff: Jorasses 1950m Arrival: La Grande Dent de Morcle (2,969m) Altitude gain: ~1,000m (with chairlift) or ~1,570m (without) Duration: ~5-6 hours total Difficulty: Moderate to challenging Technical difficulty: Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit) Download GPS file Starting the Ascent The hike to Dents de Morcle begins at the Jorasses parking in Ovronnaz (1,400m). If you're feeling sporty, you can start from here, but it makes for a long ascent. Instead, I opted for the chairlift to the Jorasse restaurant (1,950m) , cutting out the first steep section. From Jorasses, countless hiking options open up—such as the Tour of Grand Chavalard, the Tour of Six Armaille, and the hike to Cabane Rambert . I'll post about those another time. This time, my goal was La Grande Dent de Morcle . Following the signs to the left, the trail quickly bends behind a ridge, leaving the restaurant out o...

  Overview Starting point: Auberge du Lac de Joncs parking (1,230m) Arrival: La Corbetta summit (1,401m) Altitude gain: ~170m Distance: ~3km Duration: ~1h30 (with a child of 4) Difficulty: Easy Technical difficulty: Minimal (some icy sections in winter) Download GPS file A Perfect Winter Walk It was a sunny February day, so we decided to go on a family hike . Gaia, now almost four years old , can walk up to 4km on her own, so I chose a short but scenic route: Lac de Joncs to La Corbetta —just over 3km in total. We started at the Auberge du Lac de Joncs parking . Before heading up, we walked around the frozen lake , writing words on the ice and enjoying the crisp winter air. On the far side of the lake , the trail begins. It was marked in pink as a snowshoe path , but the snow was hard-packed . Since we hadn’t expected snow at all, we didn’t bring snowshoes—but it turned out fine with regular boots. The Climb to La Corbetta The first part of the hike ascends alongside the ...

Overview Starting point: Lago d’Antorno (1,880m) Arrival: Tre Cime di Lavaredo loop via Rifugio Locatelli (highest point: 2,454m) Altitude gain: ~800m (including ascent to Rifugio Auronzo, 350m normal tour) Duration: ~5 hours total (1h20 ascent, 2h30 loop, 1h descent) Difficulty: Moderate Technical difficulty: Mostly easy, with some adventurous sections on alternative paths Download GPS file Beating the Traffic—On Foot It was August, and we started early, but reaching the Tre Cime still took almost two hours from my parents' chalet. By the time we arrived—around 9:30 AM—it was already too late. The legendary traffic leading up to the Tre Cime had us stuck in a long line of cars starting from Lago di Misurina. After half an hour of barely moving, we decided to do what most people weren’t doing: leave the car behind and hike up. We parked at Lago d’Antorno (1,880m) and set off on foot towards Rifugio Auronzo, where the main parking area is. It quickly became clear that we were ...

Overview Starting point: Grimentz (1,570m) Gondola dropoff: Bendolla (2120m) Arrival: Becs de Bosson (3,143m) Altitude gain: ~1,000m Duration: 5h (loop) Difficulty: Moderate Technical difficulty: Easy to moderate (some scrambling near the summit) Download GPS file A Perfect October Ascent It was early October, and with a sunny weekend forecast , I saw the perfect opportunity to climb my last 3000m peak of the year . I chose Becs de Bosson (3,143m) , standing right across from Bella Tola , where I had kicked off the summer . I drove to Grimentz in Val d'Anniviers , arriving around 9:30 AM , and took the gondola up to Bendolla (2,120m) . From there, the trail ascends gently through alpine pastures , well-marked and without difficulties. The Ascent to Col des Becs de Bosson (2,974m) The first   part of the hike was straightforward. First on the pastures and then, as I climbed higher, on  rockier and more rugged terrain , though still without any technical challenges. ...

  Overview Starting point: St-Luc (1,650m) Arrival: Bella Tola (3,025m) & Rothorn (2,998m) Funicular dropoff: Tignousa (2150m) Altitude gain: ~1,000m Duration: 5-6h Difficulty: Moderate Technical difficulty: Easy Download GPS file If you haven’t climbed above 3000m yet, Bella Tola in the Val d'Anniviers is the perfect introduction. Standing at just over 3000m, it offers a rewarding ascent of about 1000m without any technical difficulties. I started my hike in St-Luc , taking the funicular up to Tignousa (2150m) . Tignousa is a great spot, especially for families, with activities for kids, including an observatory . But my goal was Bella Tola , so I set off on the trail, which initially winds through lush, green pastures with streams and small waterfalls. The weather was perfect— a beautiful early summer day —so I put on my bandana to avoid sunburn. After about 20 minutes, I reached Cabane de Bella Tola , where the trail turns right toward Lac de Bella Tola (2550m). Th...