Cravetto bivouac

A rugged valley leading up to the Cravetto bivouac, which has been converted from an old alpine farmstead.
The lower section of the route follows the narrow valley floor, but above 1,800 metres it opens into a wide basin. You will traverse some beautiful stretches of mule track, but the highlight of the walk is the large stone cross near the upper part of the valley – almost four metres high – which dominates the landscape.
In summer, a timed uphill race to the bivouac is organised.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left in the direction of Gressoney.
Drive for a few hundred metres before taking the road on the right into the Lys Valley, passing through the communes of Lillianes and Fontainemore.
Continue until you reach the main village of Issime. Drive through the village and, near the schools on the right-hand side, you will find a convenient car park.

From the car park, cross the main regional road and take the road leading towards San Grato. At the first bend, follow the small lane on the right, which marks the start of the mule track.
The mule track climbs the steep, rocky mountainside until it reaches a votive shrine above the waterfall, where the route enters the narrow valley. The path continues steeply up the rocks on the left-hand side until it opens into a clearing with the chalets of Ronh.
Cross through the woodland and over the stream via a small bridge. The ascent then becomes steeper again, continuing up to around 1,500 metres where a long traverse to the left leads to Stuale.
From here, the trail climbs in sharp bends up a steep valley before turning left to emerge at the chalets of Muhnu. At this point, the large cross becomes clearly visible, reached by climbing the grassy slope.
After enjoying the panoramic viewpoint, continue on to Alpe Pianhi and, with a leftward traverse, reach Alpe Mehrui, from where the bivouac can already be seen. A final, gentler section leads you to the Cravetto bivouac itself, set within one of the old alpine stables.