Surrier - Rifugio Bezzi Trail (No. 12)

A leisurely, gently sloping hike, also suitable for children and people who are not afraid of heights. Actually, we had planned to go to Lago Vuert. After my 2nd COVID vaccination yesterday, I had quite a bit of muscle and joint pain and slight hints of nausea, so we simply let this part be. Enjoying the sun at the small lake at the Rifugio was also very nice.

Mountain landscapes with their rugged peaks, deep valleys and picturesque landscapes literally invite hikers and nature lovers to explore their wonders. Today, on the penultimate day of our stay in the Aosta Valley, we set off on a "journey" through the Valgrisenche valley to reach the Rifugio Bezzi mountain hut at an altitude of 2,284 meters. On our way there, we passed, among other things, abandoned stone houses and the mystical Alpe Sasse de Ponton, which lay in the silence of a wonderful valley landscape. Our journey began early in the morning, when the sun was just peeking over the mountain peaks and gradually conquering the valley, flooding it with golden light. With hiking boots tightly laced and backpacks on our backs, we set off along a compacted gravel path, accompanied by the powerful roar of the rushing glacier stream that made its way down the valley, amidst mighty boulders. This gravel path gradually narrowed until it became a mountain path. The Valgrisenche valley presented itself in all its splendor, with multi-colored mountain meadows and the constant companion of the rushing glacier stream in the sunlight. After about 4 km we reached the mystical alpine ruins of Sasse de Ponton. In this valley basin we sat down for a break on the old stones and listened to the silence, which was only broken by the wind and the occasional warning call of a marmot, before continuing on towards the Rifugio Bezzi alpine hut. With high mountain peaks and their glaciers towering into the bright blue sky, coupled with breathtaking views, we finally reached Rifugio Bezzi, a cozy alpine hut with local delicacies that seemed like an oasis in this alpine wilderness. From the hut, in isolation at an altitude of 2,284 meters, we were able to enjoy the picturesque Valgrisenche valley, nestled between majestic mountains, with a good meal and excellent hospitality. From the hut we saw in the distance how our companion, the mountain stream, thundered down the valley over mighty sloping rock faults. Monstrous and impressive, that is the easiest way to describe this observation. The later return journey led us past the small stone pyramid Saxe (Savoie) again, as we had a forecast rain shower, before we reached the parking lot for our car down in the valley. Conclusion: A wonderful, impressive and, above all, unreservedly recommendable hiking route that does not require an extremely strenuous climb. If we ever "drop by" Aosta again, we will definitely visit the Valgrisenche valley again.