Rosa dei Banchi, from the Dondena car park

Access

Leaving the motorway at the Pont-Saint-Martin toll booth, after 100m turn left to follow the state road in the direction of Aosta. After 500 metres, at the roundabout, take the second exit and continue on the state road for 3 kilometres to the next roundabout. Take the second exit and follow the regional road in the Champorcher Valley. Continue on the regional road for 14.7 kilometres up the valley and through the villages of Hône and Pontboset before reaching Château, the centre of Champorcher. Turn right, following the signs for Dondena and climb up the little communal road for about 7.9 kilometres until you reach the Dondena car park 🅿️ where you can leave your car. 

[0h52'] - [30.6km]
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The information provided here has been verified as of the date the route was surveyed. Before setting off, it is advisable to ensure that no substantial changes have occurred on the route to the starting point. We therefore recommend the use of the satellite navigation apps provided by Google or Apple for up-to-date and detailed directions.

Introduction

A wide-ranging hike in the beautiful upper Champorcher valley, beyond Dondena, amidst broad meadows unfortunately disturbed by high voltage pylons. Just under halfway along the route is Lake Miserin, one of the largest natural lakes in the Aosta Valley. Beyond the Col de la Rosa, the ridge leading to the summit is fairly easy, but aerial, with a jump about halfway up that is overcome on the N side (grade II wall), or in an easier but more delicate way, with a traverse on the south-west flank of the mountain to reach the south ridge that climbs just as easily to the summit of the Rosa dei Banchi (more discontinuous grade II steps alternating with scree).

Description

From Dondena, cross the watercourse and climb directly up the path into the main valley, without following the dirt road that passes by the private Dondena hut, but reconnecting with it further on; leave the branch-off on the right for Mont Glacier and then the one for the Finestra di Champorcher, reaching Lake Miserin, which you skirt on the left. We then climb up through meagre pastures, bumps and scree until we reach the remains of the Banchi glacier, which we climb up to the colletto della Rosa. We now turn left along the easy but airy ridge, first on traces of a path on the south side, then on the edge, until we reach some commemorative plaques at a crest jump. The route normally followed involves going over this jump on the left (north) side by means of a small ramp and a subsequent small wall (grade II) and then continuing up to the summit along the final western ridge, but it is also possible (and advisable if the north side is snow-covered) to traverse on mobile but easy ledges along the entire south-west side of the mountain until taking the edge of the southern ridge that leads to the summit, first with some easy climbing steps (grade II) and then along debris and scree.

A wide-ranging hike in the splendid high valley of Champorcher, beyond Dondena, amidst broad meadows unfortunately disturbed by high-tension pylons. Just under halfway along the route is Lake Miserin, one of the largest natural lakes in the Aosta Valley. Beyond the Col de la Rosa, the ridge leading to the summit is fairly easy, but aerial, with a leap about halfway up that is overcome on the N slope (grade II wall), or in an easier but more delicate way, with a traverse on the south-west flank of the mountain to reach the south ridge that climbs just as easily to the summit of the Rosa dei Banchi (more discontinuous grade II steps alternating with scree).

Description

General Information

Path:from Dondena
Signposts: -
Type of route: a/r
Recommended period: June, July, August, September
Objective Danger -
Sun exposure:west
Mountaineering grade: II-
Exposed sections:southwest flank (if you opt for this ascent option)
Equipment: Lanyard (optional)
Water: Dondena