How to get here

Characteristics

The Brenva Glacier Trek is a high-mountain hiking itinerary that links Entrèves (1,340 m) to the Brenva Belvedere (2,450 m), passing through the Pavillon du Mont Fréty (2,170 m). The route is divided into 14 themed stages and covers about 13.2 km in total (round trip), with a positive elevation gain of around 1,110 m.

The complete itinerary, from Entrèves to the Brenva Belvedere, takes approximately 7 hours of walking (about 4 h 30 min for the ascent and 3 h 30 min for the return). Thanks to the Skyway Monte Bianco cable car, the route can be tackled over several hikes, joining or leaving the trail at the Pavillon du Mont Fréty. You can therefore walk the Entrèves-Pavillon du Mont Fréty section (2 h 30 min uphill, 1 h 30 min downhill) or the Pavillon du Mont Fréty-Brenva Belvedere section (2 h out and 2 h back).

Difficulty

The Brenva Glacier Trek follows a high-mountain trail and requires appropriate hiking preparation. The stages have different difficulty levels, as shown in the table, and include via ferrata sections.

Itinerary

From Entrèves, from the Val Veny cable car square, take the dirt road known as the “sabbiera” road. This approach section is simple and can also be walked by those who are not experienced hikers. At the junction (stage 2), keep right and, crossing a small stream, gradually climb higher towards Praz de La Brenva, in a position that offers a good view of the Brenva moraines (stage 4 - walking time: 40 minutes). Beyond stage 4, the actual trail begins (difficulty E), never exposed but characterized by moderate to sustained gradients, leading to the Pavillon du Mont Fréty (stage 10 - walking time: 2 h 30 min).

In the areas around the cable car stations there are still stages accessible to tourists (stages 10 and 11). To reach stage 11 and the following stages, follow the gently rising trail beside the Saussurea botanical garden. At the first junction (stage 11 - walking time from the Pavillon du Mont Fréty: 10 minutes), follow the well-marked trail to the left, crossing the grassy slopes halfway up towards the moraine of the Toula Glacier. A short equipped section with a chain climbs past some rocks and then reaches a panoramic area with a bench, where the equipped section begins (stage 12 - walking time from the Pavillon du Mont Fréty: 30 minutes).

Via ferrata

The equipped part of the trail begins by descending along the eastern scarp of Mont de la Brenva, with some steep stretches where the rope provides security while progressing. A downhill section follows, grade III but not difficult with the support of the chain. The route continues across the slope, with uphill and downhill stretches, with chains and brackets providing support on the right-hand side. It crosses a scree slope (yellow marks), at the end of which we rejoin a trail that climbs steeply towards the Brenva rocks and the final stages of the trail.

Recommended for

The Brenva Glacier Trek is designed for hikers with good mountain experience and adequate physical preparation. Those who want a simpler itinerary can limit themselves to the first stages (1 to 4), or reach the Pavillon with Skyway Monte Bianco (stage 10) and continue to stage 11.

When to walk it

The recommended period is between June and September, when the trail is normally free of snow. The itinerary cannot be walked during the winter season.

Equipment

Hiking boots and clothing suitable for high mountains are essential. To tackle the via ferrata sections, suitable equipment for equipped routes is required, as is experience using it. If in doubt, contact mountain professionals.

Services

Refreshment points and services are available at the Pavillon du Mont Fréty. There is no water along the route. The start of the route can be reached from the Val Veny cable car parking area.

How to get here

Travelling by car: from Italy, the main routes to Courmayeur are certainly State Road 26 through the Aosta Valley and the A5 Turin-Aosta-Courmayeur motorway. Travellers arriving from France, Switzerland and northern Europe are advised to take the Mont Blanc Tunnel or the Great St Bernard Tunnel. The mountain passes of the Great St Bernard Pass and the Little St Bernard Pass are also convenient, but accessible only during the summer.

Travelling by bus: Courmayeur has a local public bus service within the resort, with connections to Aosta, the Mont Blanc Valley and the main cities of northern Italy. For information: “Autolinee ARRIVA” (www.arriva.it)

Travelling by air: Turin Caselle Airport is about 150 km from Courmayeur. Alternatively, travellers can choose Milan Malpensa (212 km), Milan Linate (235 km) and Geneva International Airport (106 km). From Turin, it is possible to take the direct railway line to Ivrea and continue towards Aosta.

Travelling by train: the Trenitalia replacement road service runs from Ivrea station to Aosta, from where it is possible to continue by bus or taxi.