Col Fênetre, from Fey dessus

Introduction

Easy itinerary in a not-too-frequented area of the Aosta Valley. During the ascent, after the village of Pesse, one can observe dozens of terraces and dry stone wall fences built, over time, by local mountaineers as evidence of how hard life must have been in these valleys.

Description

From the car park at Fey dessus (1135m), descend the tarmac road for about 500m, then take the mule track to the left to Col Fênetre and Mont Crabun Alp. Climb up the steps, cross a grassy area, pass under a rock, cross a few streams and on a stepped path rejoin the tarmac road with regulated traffic that climbs from Fey dessus. Follow it to the right for a few minutes until reaching Pesse (1307m; 0h40'). From the village of Pesse, it is worth making a very short diversions towards the lower part of the village in search of a monumental plant that is well marked on site. It is an ash tree probably dating from the late 1700s or, at most, the early 1800s. From the wooden cross in Pesse, a marked mule track leads to Col Fênetre. After a few steps, there is a fountain-washboard from which two tracks branch off. Follow the one on the left. The mule track proceeds between dry stone walls until it crosses, on the left, after about 6/7 minutes' walk from Pesse, a second mule track marked with arrows and blue signs for "C. Corma". This mule track is the natural route to Col Fênetre, but in this itinerary it is proposed as a return route. Then proceed between low walls and terraces along the mule track on the right, which is not always very evident, as far as the village of Finestra and then to a subsequent hut, near which the previously abandoned mule track is found again. Climb up a paved path, cross a track on the left with signs for "La Korma", and you will soon be at Col Fênetre (1671m; +0h50'; 1h30'). There is a large cairn on the pass and, on the slope opposite the one climbed, a ruin.
The descent is along the ascent route to the hut. Then take the mule track to the right that leads into the coniferous forest. At times there are beautiful views of the terraces below, witnesses to the hard work of the mountain people of this area. When you reach Pesse (1307m; 0h40'), as a variant, you can take the tarmac road to the Fey dessus forecourt (1135m; +0h30'; 1h10').