Champorcher - Barbustel

In Valle d'Aosta there are many hikes with snowshoes, but this itinerary between Champorcher and the Barbustel refuge stands out both why Champorcher is one of the most comfortable places to reach, and because it is a sunny trek with wide views and small ponds .

Champorcher is certainly not among the most renowned ski resorts, but located precisely at the beginning of the Aosta Valley it is perfect for a snowshoeing. For this excursion to the refuge of Lake Muffé and then towards the Barbustel refuge, you can park directly in the hamlet of Mont Blanc, at 1700s. From here, the forest road still continues for a couple of kilometers, but you can cut it with a Trail generally well marked that it starts from Mont Blanc's car park (if there are no traces, you should follow, on foot, the snow-covered forest). In one way or another, after a hundred meters of height difference (about 20 minutes on the path) you arrive at the beautiful cortoned stone houses.

Pass the last homes, you reach the path that goes up along a stream by entering the park of Monte Avic. It is in a beautiful wood, the climb is not steep but constant, with large views of the mountains and the sun present practically all day.

On a beautiful weekend day, you will probably not be alone to snowshoe along this route, at least to the Muffle lake, which is reached after an hour and a quarter walk from the parking lot. Here the views open again by giving dream views.

Many walk with snowshoes this path up to the lake muffé because here is the homonymous refreshment, generally opened even on winter weekends. From the muffé it is then to you to decide if you want to break away from polenta and sausage or continue to walk, more healthy and active option ... but I'm not sure here to judge: eating polenta and sausage is a valid reason for life.

We have decided to continue, because later, towards the Barbustel refuge, the views become even more sensational. Keep in mind, though, that the winter barbustel refuge is closed, so or then back to eat or you have to take you to the packed lunch.

From the refreshment muffé, which is about 2050 meters of altitude, we continue walking slightly uphill along a large snowy plateau. Here there are fewer traces: snowshoes and a minimum sense of orientation are particularly useful. At one point the path becomes much steeper: it was now near the col du mont blanc, located at 2300, to whose left stands the mountain turret.

Completed the climb to the Col du Mont Blanc (after about two hours of walking from the parking lot, if you don't do stops and if you don't sink into the snow) A new view opens, this time on the Champdepraz valley. A quiet descent from the hill allows to arrive in a quarter of an hour to two stone houses, one of which is the Barbustel refuge.

It is wandering around and, in particular, going down to the LAC Blanc, which can be admired the most incredible views of this trekking route, with the top of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa massif that stand out in the distance. It is here surrounded by soft snow intonsa, from blue water rivols, from empty mountain mountains, immersed in a surreal peace (it is not true, the quiet is perfectly real, but those who do not go out from the cities no longer knows what is, really, Silence).

Once the lakes have been admired, you can return to the same itinerary. The times I have reported are valid for those walking in a good passage, but when it sinks into the snow the times stretch, especially if you want to enjoy the wonderful views. Then plan to take a full day for this wonderful hike with snowshoes.
Good trip !!
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