Bettaforca Pass (2673m), trail 8
from Stafal to Colle Bettaforca
Ibexes at the Bettaforca pass
Trail 8 starts from Stafal and arrives at the Bettaforca Pass (2673m). It is 5400m long and the total positive elevation gain is 855m.
The approximate time for the ascent is 2h37. The trail is rated T difficulty.
After reaching the plateau of Sant’Anna (2180m), the trail runs along the route of the Sant’Anna-Bettaforca chairlift. One can, of course, save some walking and get to St. Anna via the Stafal-Sant’Anna cable car, and then continue along the final stretch on foot. Or, vice versa, do only the first section on foot, and go up to Bettaforca Hill via chairlift.
Puppy at the Bettaforca hill
A long and easy trail, it has as an added attraction the fact that it passes by three shelters/restaurants: the Jutz Restaurant arrived at St. Anna, the Sitten Refuge (it is possible to stay overnight there) just above, and the Colle Betta Refuge at the end of the trail. Behind the Colle Betta Ristoro it is very easy to find groups of ibex, accustomed to human presence, who let themselves get close enough to be photographed quietly.
Less than five minutes from the start, the trail passes right next to a little-known gem of the past due to its secluded location: the Oagre Chapel, which dates back to 1776 and is dedicated to the worship of Our Lady of the Snows. As the sign on the site reads,“This is a place much loved by the people of Gressoney, because here once upon a time, on a cold winter morning, the image of Our Lady appeared in the ice of the fountain.”
St. Anne’s is also home to the well-known St. Anne’s Chapel, which stands on a large grassy clearing overlooking La Trinité.
From the Bettaforca Pass passes Trail 9, which leads to the Quintino Sella Refuge, the starting point for the main western 4000-meter peaks of the Rosa range.
