All walks

The old Rifugio Bertone on its grassy shoulder, with the Mont Blanc massif across the valley.
Photo Rémih, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

The balcony above Courmayeur

Rifugio Bertone balcony

A steady forest climb straight out of the village to a terrace that faces the whole massif.

Moderate

Distance
9 km
Ascent
770 m
High point
1,989 m
Walking, not counting the bus
3 to 4 h

Where it is

A drawn map of the Courmayeur valleys, not to scale. Courmayeur is in the middle, with the massif along the top. Line 924, Val Ferret to Arnouva; Line 931, Val Veny to La Visaille; Skyway Monte Bianco to Punta Helbronner. This walk runs between courmayeur and courmayeur.Mont BlancVal FerretVal VenySkywayBertoneBonattiElenaElisabettaCombalCourmayeurLavacheyArnouvaNotre-DameLa VisailleEntrevesPavillonHelbronnerDrawn, not to scale

Reading your answers

How high

1,989 mhigh pointRifugio Giorgio Bertone
1,224 mCourmayeur, Piazzale Monte Bianco

The top stands 765 m above Courmayeur, Piazzale Monte Bianco. Total ascent is higher, because the path rises and falls on the way.

Before you go

What to carry. Boots, two litres of water, sun cover, and a warm layer. Above the trees there is no shade.

If it goes wrong

112One number for mountain rescue, an ambulance, or the fire service. It is free, it works from a phone with no card and no credit, and it can put a translator on the line.

Worth reading before you leave. Soccorso Alpino Valdostano · The regional forecast · Wind and temperature up high

Worth knowing

No bus needed, so it works on any day. The climb is shaded almost to the top, which makes it the sane choice in a heatwave.