Overview
Punta dell'Aouillette, whose irregular shape is not visible from the center of the valley, rises at the southern end of the ridge that branches out of Monte Rosso in the SSW direction.
In summer its south and east slopes are carpeted with grass and wonderful flowers, while the west face is mostly covered by detritus and scree.
Punta dell'Aouillette allows a fun ascent in winter, with either snowshoes or skis. The view from the summit is exceptional and extraordinarily spacious, covering almost all the mountains of Val d'Aosta.
First Ascents
- First on the summit: Unknown.
- In Winter: Unknown.
Getting There
BY CAR:
- From Torino, Milano, etc: Motorway A5. Exit at Aosta Ovest.
- From Switzerland: through the Grand Saint Bernard Tunnel or the namesake pass.
- From Franc: through the Mont Blanc Tunnel or Petit Saint Bernard Pass: It is not necessary to take Motorway A5: you can drive on SS.26, in the direction of Aosta.
BY PLANE:
- Aeroporto "Corrado Gex" Saint Christophe (Aosta).
Route
At the "Aosta Ovest" exit from the motorway (Aymavilles) take SS.26 toward Courmayeur. After about 5 km reach the Village of Saint Pierre
(731m); turn right on the road that climbs to Col di Joux (turn clearly marked by road signs). Five km with many hairpins lead to the small reservoir near Col di Joux
(1.898m). The reservoir is surrounded by a wooden fence. The pavement ends here, where the road starts its gentle descent into the pleasant Valley of Vertosan. Park here in the convenient parking lot and hike along the trail to the right of the reservoir. Follow the trail as it enters the pine forest. From there, it is easy to follow until the summit
(2.616m), where a small statue of the Virgin Mary is placed. Time required from the trailhead:
2h'00/2h'30.
Difficulty
The route is classified E.
Equipment
Normal hiking gear.
Campings
Remember that free camping is forbidden (except for emergency reasons, over
2.500m, from darkness until dawn).
Mountain Condition
- Meteo: you can find all the needed informations at the official site of the Valle d'Aosta Region:
- Valle d'Aosta Meteo
Webcam
- WEBCAM on Aosta Valley:
- Webcam
Books and Maps
BOOKS:
- "Guida dei Monti d'Italia-Alpi Pennine" (Vol. I°) di Gino Buscaini-Club Alpino Italiano/Turing Club Italiano, Luglio 1971.
- "Dove si specchia il cielo - i laghi della Valle d'Aosta", di Sergio Piotti, Ed. Ferrari Luglio 1996.
- "80 itinerari di Escursionismo Alpinismo e Sci Alpinismo in Valle d'Aosta", di Osvaldo Cardellina, Ed. Musumeci, Giugno 1977 (in Italian); seconda Ed. Luglio 1981; terza Ed. Luglio 1984; (in French), prima Ed. Febbraio 1978; seconda Ed. Marzo 1980.
- "La Vallée d'Aoste dans votre poche" di Giuseppe Lucca Ed. Musumeci 1978.
MAPS:
- Kompass "Monte Bianco Valle d'Aosta Sentieri e Rifugi" Carta turistica 1:50.000.
- Kompass "Gran Paradiso Valle d'Aosta Sentieri e Rifugi" Carta Turistica 1:50.000.
- I.G.C. Istituto Geografico Centrale Torino "Massiccio del Monte Bianco" (n° 4), Torino, 1998 1:50.000.
- Studio F.M.B. "Monte Bianco-Mont Blanc", Bologna 1988 1:50.000.
- I.G.C. Istituto Geografico Centrale "Carta dei sentieri e dei rifugi" 1:25.000.
- I.G.M. Istituto Geografico Militare 1:25.000.
Important Information
Useful numbers
- Protezione Civile Valdostana località Aeroporto n° 7/A Saint Christophe (Ao) Tel. 0165-238222.
- Bollettino Meteo (weather info) Tel. 0165-44113.
- Unità Operativa di Soccorso Sanitario Tel. 118.
Acknoledgements
Many thanks are due also to the friends that helped me translating the text from Italian and added some improvements to the page.