Italiano
DeutschGressoney, Colle Ranzola e Colle di Valnera
I had already done this route three years ago to climb Valfredda Peak. This time I avoided the summit (there was still snow) and used the "loafing" mode using an E-Bike. Since I think it is one of the most beautiful rides in the area, I am including it again in this new version of Training Camp.
Start from Gressoney Saint Jean towards Castel Savoia and Cialvrina. You follow the asphalt road that climbs tediously (like all asphalt roads) but with regular gradient allows you to warm up nicely. At the end of the road near a clearing with beautiful huts you cross the meadow on a track that leads first to a small road coming from other huts and then to the ski slope coming down from Weissmatten. The gradient now becomes fierce, but with the motor you pedal serenely to the chairlift arrival station.
Now follow the pleasant trail in the direction of Colle Ranzola-Punta Regina that you can pedal for good stretches, otherwise you will be pushing. Choose well the 'departure time because it is better to get here before the chairlift is open otherwise you will find many hikers. Beware only of the section equipped downhill with fixed ropes that you will ride on the north side of the ridge. Although not difficult it is more exposed than it would seem.
SO BETTER POSSIBLY TO MAKE A FEW STEPS ON FOOT SO AS NOT TO RISK IT !
You first reach a beautiful plateau with a small lake (in late summer you will find it dry) and then always on a beautiful and scenic path the Colle Ranzola.
You descend into Val d' Ayas, first on a fun trail (up to the Alpe) and then by road (a few cuts possible) to the Estoul parking lot. From here you follow the signs to Rifugio Arp, which you reach by following the nice cartroad (directions on wooden signs). At a certain point you can choose whether to continue on the plateau in an easterly direction or follow the small road to the right that climbs steeply to the Palasinaz Lakes.
You will still reach the refuge, take trail 105 with a few more pedal strokes, a short easy section with bike on your back and then push, then still pedaled (always if you have the Ebike) you will climb until you reach the Valnera Pass (on your right you will see the Valnera Colletto that leads to the Valnera Peak and then to the Eclou Lakes). From the col change your gear, helmet on your head, and down along Trail 5. You will glide down to hole 9 of the golf course amidst hysterical giggles, screams from women's college but also a few Hail Marys.
I copy&paste the description of the probable first descent made by MTB in the company of the mythological Paiogs:
"Descent ON. No news found on the net, apparently no chariot has ever descended on two wheels from here, but the imprinted smile of yura who has meanwhile ascended from Gressoney with his cilöster presages an Epic descent.And so it was. 1300+ m of unconditional pleasure. There is not a bad meter. Trail d'Antan spectacular, natural, technical, demanding endless snails. Isolated and wonderful valley. It is the Aosta Valley baby ! You can't ask for more."
As already experienced here around 2,000 meters you enter the needle leaf forest, the bottom becomes Imperial Carpet and the climaxes are no longer counted. Too beautiful."
P.s. From the pass wanting to goe to the top of Valfredda Peak, by trail tracks with the bike on the shoulder, you point to the 'obvious East Ridge. You ride along the ridge until reason tells you it's time to plant it down (about 80 meters of elevation gain). A few minutes and you are at the top. Lakes, ponds, Monte Rosa and a few ibex will keep us company for lunch.
EDIT: at the suggestion of other bikers,whom I thank, I add that the descent from the Valnera pass is very technical and difficult in places. So consider well , according to your level, whether or not to choose this route. Perhaps Paiogs enthusiastic comment (which I agree with anyway) could be misleading.
hi Yura, from the ARP shelter to the valnera pass is there much portage or mostly pushge (with e-bike) and some pedaled section ?
Hi !
From the hut you have a short section to the junction that is rideable, then a short bit of portage, then a longer stretch of somewhat strenuous pushing. Then you'll have some nice pedalable sections interspersed with some pushing here and there
👍ad August I try
You won't regret it ? hope so ! 🤣🤣
Good evening Yura we did the ride yesterday 4 MTB and I E-MTB all very nice but the descent let's say it's not for everyone only for TOP manicons as surely you will be, friend Paigos etc .etc. Apart from our friend Fabio who liked it very much but he is a TOP for sure like you( noise press great etc.etc.) we who are quite good and for years we have been doing adverse and complicated descents of all kinds unfortunately yesterday was a type of descent that we were missing in our curriculum vitae, we found ourselves very much in trouble with the beastly snake and vertical sections with loose ground. We basically carried it down by hand for a good 60 percent. Pota what do you want to do with it an it will be my bù....In my opinion in the description you should emphasize with an alert that the final descent is only for bikers with superior technique. Hi Yura thank you and have a good evening
hello Yura, we also did it (2, e-mtb) on 5 aug, I would say we definitely had met Ronko &co towards Belvedere and Ranzola .... a crowded day on trail 5 🤣🤣;
we also took first detour to palasinaz lakes with 🏊?️ and then went up to valnera pass.
beautiful scenery , other hikers up to Arp, then none.
I agree with Ronko that the descent is for Pro Riders given the gradient and tight turns that require noose press a gogo. friend David checera with me falls among the Pros and stayed pretty much always in the saddle choosing more than daring lines.
in any case i ride 🔝 and although downhill also i did it with the bike (...and not on the bike 😁) for about 60% , i am very satisfied.
you and paigos remain the favorites when it comes to think of new ride a little more "epic"; thank you very much and see you on the "wild trails"
Guys what can I say, I thank you for the consideration but I certainly do not consider myself a phenomenon! Mine is not false modesty, maybe I am more used to certain trails or maybe it will be that having ridden with several better (and younger) bikers having compared their level with mine, I think I am not that great. That said, the descent from the Valnera pass I think may be among the most beautiful in the Lys Valley. Of course it is not easy, far from it, it is very slow and technical, and some walking is to be expected.
I'm really sorry if my report was too ?soft? and misled you, I hope I didn't ruin your day?I accept the suggestion and edit the description so that it doesn't pass off as a walk. I thought you could tell but evidently both @paiogs and I, on the first descent were too euphoric?Sorry?
Bravo Yura thank you instead for your humility and understanding in taking in our kind comments. You definitely didn't spoil the ride for us, http://anzi....ma" target="_blank">anzi....but I thought it was only fair to mention a little comment to you about the descent so other bikers in the future will also adjust according to their technical and physical abilities which for this descent must be very high. And if you did it almost all in the saddle like our friend Fabio really a thousand compliments really....Ciaooooo
Bravo Yura , the descent of Valnera is pure spectacle, made a few years ago equal, I remember it as one of the most beautiful in the area, certainly very difficult but for lovers of the genre "Sudo ma Godo" (as Ciaparat would say) is unmissable because all doable, not a trivial meter, 100% technical !!! Maybe with the e-bike it is more difficult because of the weight? I don 't know...I'm not practical but definitely out of standard for the average e-biker!
Hi SuperBobo (you are http://Bobo...giusto" target="_blank">Bobo...right?) !
This year I went with E-bike and although "light" it is still almost 19 Kg. and downhill those 4 Kg. are felt a bit.
Compared to two years ago, when I went for the same ride with a legged bike I can tell you that I certainly felt a bit more "clumsy" but just as surely I was also more lucid having spent less energy to climb. Then I had also added another 200 meters D+ to reach the Valfredda Peak, but beyond that I was still more tired and consequently less lucid on the descent, and on that kind of descent having energy can make all the difference.
It remains as you say a descent http://impegnativa...ma" target="_blank">engaging...but BEAUTIFUL !
@yura no Bobo is my buddy as well as the founder of Cicloalpinismo.com, he hangs out there less in Vda, I on the other hand more often because I ride there for work!
Ah sorry, I don't know why I thought it was you...sorry