Col Tsasèche hike

The Col Tsasèche hike starts from Gimillan. Park your car and walk northwest of the town. You should see a sign leading to 3A Epinel, turn right at the fork. There will soon be another sign going to Col Tsasèche (also called Col Tsa Seche). Follow this route.

The first section is the same as on Tsaplana trail, where you ascend a steep paved road all the way up to a forest.

After you reach the forest, follow route 3, ascending left onto the slope. You will walk through a nice pine forest with some stunning views of the snow-capped Gran Paradiso mountain range.

After the forest walk, you will start ascending again, above the treeline. Make sure to use sunscreen as it gets hot on a clear day.

Switchback up the mountain slope. At around 3.5km into the hike, you will walk into a meadow. You will see the stone farmhouse of Arpisson on the other side of the mountain. Descend to the stream and cross it via the bridge. You can take a break at the Arpisson. From here it is around 1.5h to Col Tsasèche. Continue the ascent by following route 2 behind the farmhouse.

There are numerous marmots in the area. If you sit quietly, you should see some of these cute animals running around the mountains. It’s also a great place to try to spot golden eagles, hunting the marmots.

Soon you will reach another signpost. Here, turn left and follow route 2A. After a long ascent, you will come to a mountain wall; climb the left slope. It looks like the pass you are heading to; however, the pass will be visible after you climb higher. When you climb on top of the ridge, you will see that the trail continues to the right and you will be able to see your goal – Col Tsasèche.

After you finally reach the Tsasèche Pass, you will get to see some of the most magnificent views Gran Paradiso National Park has to offer. In the southwest, you will see the double-square peak of Mt Gran Paradiso and the beautiful peak of Mt Grivola. Looking north, you will see the Pila Ski Resort and Aosta Valley below you. And behind Aosta, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the highest mountains in the Alps: Mont Blanc, Grandes Jorasses and Grand Combin de Grafeneire.

From here you can also easily climb Punta Monpers (2793m). After that, return the same way you came.