Across the valley «La combe de L’A»

The Combe de l’A is a side valley off the main valley leading up to the Great St Bernard Pass. But while the Val d’Entremont has been an important transit route for thousands of years, the Combe de l’A has remained a virtually untouched wilderness. Today, the valley is a nature reserve covering a variety of alpine habitats from altitudes of 1,400 m to 3,000 m. This hike along the full length of the valley offers excellent opportunities to see alpine wildlife, from ibex, deer and marmots to ravens and golden eagles. Information panels along the way explain how the rocks and landscape have been shaped by water, snow and ice. The upper reaches are covered in snow for much of the year, but from late springtime, the valley bursts into colour, the meadows carpeted with alpine flowers. In autumn, especially at dawn or dusk, the sound of the belling of the stags promises an unforgettable experience. The trail passes through a variety of alpine habitats at different altitudes – forest, wetland, pasture, dry meadow – to climb high above the treeline. The climax of the hike comes at the far end of the valley, at the Col du Névé de la Rousse (2,751 m), where hikers enjoy breath-taking views down into the Val Ferret and across to the Mont Blanc massif.  Hikers return to the starting point along the same route. Midway along the valley, the friendly Cabane de la Tsissette serves snacks and meals from the end of June to mid-October – ideal for a refreshment stop either on the way up or down.   Highights:  Pristine valley, virtually untouched by human intervention Wealth of wildlife – eagles, deer, wild flowers – and fascinating geological trail Friendly mountain cabin midway up the valley