Lac Couvert

The ascent follows the solitary Brenve Valley of Issogne, while the descent uses the more frequented trail that climbs to Rifugio Barbustel.
Along the route, you cross three distinct passes: the first wooded, the second wild and rocky, and the third wide, featuring small lakes and a stunning view of Monte Rosa.
The Lac Couvert area, with its soapstone carvings, adds a touch of magic to the trail. On the descent, near Lake Muffé, you can visit the “Garden of Sky and Time,” showcasing numerous sundials, and take a break at the nearby Muffé refreshment point.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn left toward Aosta. At the roundabout, keep left continuing toward Aosta.
Pass through Donnas and reach Bard. After the town, at the roundabout, turn left toward Champorcher. Continue through Hône and enter the Champorcher Valley.
Drive past Pontboset and continue toward Champorcher. At the end of the town, turn right toward Dondena. Follow the mountain slope upward, passing Grand Mont Blanc and Petit Mont Blanc. After the first car park, continue to the second car park from which the trail to Rifugio Barbustel begins.
From the Verrès tollbooth, turn right toward Torino, pass Arnad, and at the roundabout, turn right toward Champorcher.

From the car park, follow the steep trail up toward Rifugio Barbustel. After about ten minutes, when the path turns sharply left, continue on the flat trail toward Alpe la Cort.
The trail remains mostly level, passing several alpine pastures before entering the forest. Continue with some small ups and downs until you reach a left-hand path that climbs steeply through the woods (be careful not to continue toward Arcomy) to reach the ridge descending toward Issogne.
Descend gently along the Issogne side to a small basin, then take a less-visible path that crosses the forest to a beautiful clearing with a stream. The trail climbs the valley among larches and rocks, reaching the upper area near a ruined alpine hut.
Continue along the trail, where you can spot some soapstone carvings and a large stone that some suggest may have been a menhir, until you meet the trail coming from Champorcher. Turn right and reach a small pass. Just below, Lac Couvert is visible. Around some soapstone rocks, you can see carvings made at different times.
After circling the lake (where additional carvings can be seen), return to the pass (to the left, more carvings and remnants of stone pots can be found) and then descend back to the previously reached junction.
Climb through the scree to reach the large cairn at Col di Panaz (or Piana). From here, begin a long traverse along the slope of Cima Piana (at some point, a steep trail on the right leads to the peak), which takes you to the wide Col de la Croix, featuring small lakes and views of Monte Rosa in the background.
From the pass, follow a long left-hand traverse to connect with the popular Rifugio Barbustel trail. Descend along this trail to reach the lake and the Muffé refreshment point, where the “Garden of Sky and Time” is located.
Pass the refreshment point, and descend steeply back to the car park.