Trekking across the Ambins
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationEurope / Italy
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions19.14 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
Italian
French
English
In a few words
In the heart of the Ambins Massif , on the Franco-Italian border, this trip is a true ode to the original spirit of mountaineering . Here, the mountains reveal themselves in all their untouched wildness , dotted with glacial lakes and steep slopes that have always attracted climbing enthusiasts. Over three days, you will follow an authentic route, from the picturesque hamlet of Rochemolles to the Moncenisio Pass, crossing three mountain passes and skirting peaks at over 3,300 meters altitude . Along the way, you will encounter historic bivouacs, silent witnesses to the many climbing parties that have come to challenge these summits. Every step is a tribute to Alpine history , between stark ridges and hidden valleys, offering total immersion in the high mountains . A unique adventure to reconnect with the raw power of the wild Alps .
The highlights
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Wild trekking off the beaten track
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Expert guide to the places and mountains traversed
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Stay in alpine mountain huts with authentic Italian cuisine
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
The proposed trek is demanding and requires prior mountain experience as well as good physical condition; the altitude exceeds 3,000 meters several times during these three days.
In figures
Trekking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 11 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 934 m
- Average daily descent: 900 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
Italian
French
English
Nadia is a hiking guide. She discovered the mountains in the second half of her life, but it was a life-changing discovery that led her to change her life and dedicate herself full-time to the profession of guide.
Program
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Rifugio Scarfiotti - Rifugio Levi Molinari
- Transportation Minibus - 00h35 - 15km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 13 km
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet the guide and group in Bardonecchia. Transfer by shuttle to the Rifugio Scarfiotti, located in the Rochemolles Valley. From the refuge, the hike ascends through the wild and typical landscape of the Ambin region to the Col des Founeaux pass at 3,000 meters. The route continues along the ridge at 3,000 meters to the distinctive Sigot bivouac, a genuine red corrugated iron hut overlooking the Susa Valley below. From there, the hike descends to Lake Monache, then to the Grange della Valle plain, where the Rifugio Levi Molinari is located. In this part of the Ambin, it is possible to observe one of the most fascinating protected species in the Alps: the ibex.
Dinner and overnight stay at the Levi Molinari refuge, famous among other things for its excellent cuisine and its "bouldering" climbs among the most difficult in Piedmont.
Day 1 -
Rifugio Levi Molinari - Rifugio Vaccarone
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 6h30
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 1500 m
- Negative elevation 600 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
An early start from the Levi hut immediately leads to a long and tiring climb towards the Ambin Pass, giving us a better sense of the rugged and wild, yet very rewarding, character of the Ambin mountains. At the pass, there's another distinctive red bivouac: the Walter Blais bivouac. From there, you descend on the French side to the Blue Lake of Ambin, then climb back up to the steep lower Agnello Pass, once again exceeding 3,000 meters in altitude. All this in the presence of the king of this massif: Mount Niblè, which, at 3,347 meters, is the highest peak in the region and actually sheltered a small glacier on its northern slope until barely 20 years ago.
After a difficult descent over scree, we reach the Vaccarone refuge. At the refuge, we will have dinner and end our day recharging our batteries for the next day.
Day 2 -
Rifugio Vaccarone - Refuge du Petit Moncenis - Return to Bardonecchia by shuttle
- Transportation Minibus - 01h30 - 90km
- Activity Trekking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 10 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
On the final day, a short descent followed by a climb to the Col Clapier awaits us, where the brand-new, futuristic Hannibal bivouac is located. From there, we'll head towards the splendid Lac des Savines. This high-altitude trail traverses the entire Vallon des Savines, offering magnificent views across the valley, and ends at the Col du Petit Moncenisio, where the refuge of the same name is located and where our trek concludes.
We will have the opportunity to enjoy an excellent lunch or snack while waiting for the shuttle that will take us back to Bardonecchia, the train station or the car.
Day 3
Accommodation
The refuge is renowned for its excellent cuisine and for its historic bouldering routes, which are among the most technical in Piedmont.
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Shuttle Bardonecchia - Rifugio Scarfiotti
- hiking guide
- Overnight stay and half-board at the Levi-Molinari refuge
- Overnight stay and half-board at the Vaccarone refuge
- Shuttle return to Bardonecchia
The price does not include
- Lunches
- Shower token available at the refuge
Options
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- 35/40 litre backpack
- Hiking shoes
- Hiking poles
- Camelbak/ one-liter water bottle
- Small personal hygiene and first aid kit
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Energy snacks
- Gels, if you are used to using them
- Restorative mineral salts (such as potassium-magnesium).
Clothing to bring
- Hiking clothes
- Breathable T-shirt 2
- Lightweight long trousers
- Sweatshirt
- Shorts
- Lightweight jacket
- Waterproof windbreaker
- Lightweight gloves
- Lightweight neck warmer or lightweight beanie
- Hiking socks
