Lago d'Arpy from Colle San Carlo
An alpine lake in the woods, reached by an easy walk from Colle San Carlo; just above the pass, Testa d'Arpy is one of the most famous viewpoints over Mont Blanc.
- Difficulty
- T Tourist
- Length
- 6.4 km
- Elevation gain
- +130 m / −130 m
- Time
- 1.5–2 hours round trip
- Route
- Out and back
- Altitude
- 1952–2079 m
- Season
- Summer Autumn
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Why go
Because it is a short, peaceful outing, to combine with the Testa d'Arpy viewpoint to see Mont Blanc in all its height.
Practical information
- Start
- Colle San Carlo, between Morgex and La Thuile
- Finish
- Lago d'Arpy; back the same way
- Best time
- June–October
- Parking
- At Colle San Carlo.
- By public transport
- No convenient public transport to the pass.
- Water
- Café at the pass.
- Shade
- Larch and fir woodland.
- Huts and refreshments
- At the pass.
- With children
- Yes.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
- ★ Vineyards of Morgex and La SalleOn the route
- Courmayeur6 km from the start
- Rutor Waterfalls7 km from the start
- Val Ferret11 km from the start
More hikes in Aosta Valley
- 1Rifugio Vittorio Sella from ValnonteyE 10.1 km · +900 m · 5–6 hours · out and back
- 2★ Lago di Loie from LillazE 7.1 km · +810 m · 4 hours · out and back
- 3Rifugio Bonatti in Val FerretE 2.9 km · +320 m · 2–2.5 hours · out and back
- 4★ Ru MarseillerT 11.5 km · +510 m · 3–3.5 hours · point to point
- 5★ Lago di Miserin and Finestra di ChamporcherE 13 km · +720 m · 4–5 hours · out and back
- 6★ On foot to Chamois, the car-free villageE 4.9 km · +460 m · 2.5 hours · point to point
- 7★ Rifugio Oriondé and Croce CarrelEE 9.5 km · +880 m · 5 hours · out and back
- 8Rutor Waterfalls and Rifugio Deffeyes from La ThuileE 10.4 km · +880 m · 5–5.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 9Lago Blu, the Matterhorn's mirrorT 3.3 km · +20 m · 1 hour round trip · out and back
- 10Rifugio Elisabetta and Lac Combal in Val VenyE 12.4 km · +560 m · 4.5–5 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.