Brief description
A demanding route suitable only for hikers with solid mountain experience.
The trail climbs one of the least frequented valleys of the Gressoney-Saint-Jean area.
In the second part, the path is barely visible, and the use of a GPS track is essential.
In the final section, early in the summer, snowfields are still present; later in the season, these give way to steep scree slopes that are tiring to climb.
If snowfields are encountered, crampons are required.
Most usefull data
| General evaluation | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | EE |
| Uphill slope | 1.400 m |
| Total length | 10.900 m |
| Total time | 6h 30m |
| Assiduity | Low |
Map
| Start point | Biela |
|---|---|
| Start elevation | 1.546 m |
| Arrival point | Passo Rissuolo |
| Max elevation | 2.936 m |
| Exposure | Some |
| Downhill slope | 1.400 m |
|---|---|
| Uphill time | 4h 10m |
| Downhill time | 2h 20m |
| Uphill trail sign | 8 |
| Downhill trail sign | 8 |
Start point description
From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left towards Gressoney.
The road climbs a few hundred meters before turning right into the Lys Valley road, passing through the villages of Lillianes, Fontainemore, Issime, and Gaby.
Continue until reaching Gressoney-Saint-Jean, cross the bridge over the Lys stream, then follow the long flat section before tackling two hairpin bends.
After less than one kilometer, take the junction to the right for Biela and follow it to the end, where there is a small car park.
Trail description
From the rural road, follow it for a short stretch before taking the trail that climbs steeply through the larch forest, gaining several hundred meters in elevation.
The path now traverses left, first reaching the ruins of the Lècko hut, then, after crossing the stream and climbing some steep sections, the Lower and Upper Ciampono huts.
Continue up the valley toward a rocky barrier that seems to close it off, which is overcome with a rightward traverse across some exposed sections. Beyond this point, reach the upper plateau.
Follow a faint track, keeping to the right of the first scree slope, then cross it and move left to reach a ridge. Continue along the ridge—where the Rissuolo Pass finally comes into view—before dropping into the valley floor, where an early-season snowfield may be found.
Climb the snowfield and continue left to reach the final cirque, then ascend a second snowfield to arrive at the Rissuolo Pass.
The descent follows the same route, taking extra care on the initial steep section.
Last update
30 October 2025, 11:00