Frudière Pass (2271m), trail 1A

from Weismatten to Colle di Frudière

Lake Superior of Frudière

Trail 1A starts from Weismatten and goes to Frudière pass (2271m). It is 3480m long and the total positive elevation gain is 533m.
The approximate time for the climb is 1h45. The trail is rated of difficulty E.

the steep trail downhill to the lakes

The route starts at the Weismatten chairlift arrival point (timetables and prices), which can also be reached via TRAIL 2 . Immediately after leaving the reservoir, the trail goes around the shoulder of Punta Weismatten, crosses a large rocky valley, climbs up along the shoulder of Mt. Taf, and, upon reaching the Taf pass, descends to Frudière pass and its wonderful lakes of the same name (it happens in summer to find scattered daredevils diving there).

Warning: this is a trail that is not too physically demanding, given its length and low elevation development, but the final piece, downhill to Frudière pass from Taf pass, should not be underestimated. It is extremely steep and rather slippery, due to the gravel and stacked rocks that make the path unstable: although it is classified as a type E trail, it is best avoided unless you are quite experienced.

More information on level of difficulty, ascent times, maps and GPX tracks

Photo Gallery

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Crossing the shoulder coming down from Punta Weismatten

One of the wooden walkways that facilitate passage

The ominous warning at the junction with Trail 1B

The final scree at the end of the steep section

On the way back, descending from the Taf collar.

On the way back, heading toward the rocky gully.

1. Start and finish

Trail 1A starts from Weismatten, the elevation is 2055m.
See on Google Maps.

Latitudine e longitudine (WGS84 - EPSG 4326): 45.7483138513, 7.82499961266

The arrival location is Frudière Pass. The altitude is 2271m.
See on Google Maps.

Latitudine e longitudine (WGS84 - EPSG 4326): 45.7338108305, 7.82122944472

2. The route

In front of the Carlo Mollino refuge, there is a signpost indicating the directions for TRAIL 3A (to Punta della Regina) and 1A (to Colle di Frudière). Follow 1A to the left…

The pole in front of the shelter

…continuing along the dirt road that goes counterclockwise around the reservoir…

The reservoir in January 2022

…until you find the trailhead as soon as you come to lap the mountain. The trail goes around the slopes of Weismatten Peak…

Circling around Punta Weismatten

…with a practically straight course, after which it descends for a short distance inside a very wide rocky gully.

The short descent into the rocky gully

One has to cross the entire arid, sunny, stony gully, about 400 meters wide: the path between boulders and rocks is well traced, sometimes facilitated by wooden footbridges.

Crossing the rocky gully

The rocky gully just crossed

When you have crossed the gully, the trail touches the shoulder of Mt. Taf, which it climbs in marked turns until about 2400m, where it crosses a marker warning those who wish to go right, into TRAIL 1B , which returns to Garda Pass via Mt. Taf, Mt. Taille and Mt. Rena. The trail is certainly challenging, however not as much as this warning (complete with exclamation point!) makes one fear…

The ominous warning at the junction with Trail 1B

Continue to the left until the trail turns onto the southern slope of Mt. Taf passing the Taf Pass (2406m), a passage between rocks protected by a steel cable railing that offers remarkable views of the Frudière Lakes below and the majestic Mont Nery.

Taf pass, Mont Nery in the background

From this point the trail heads toward the lakes, descending in wide turns through the steep southern face of Taf: the trail over stones and gravel is by no means to be underestimated, care must be taken.

Two photos showing how steep this section of trail is:

The steep trail downhill to the lakes

At this point it is almost done: having finished the steepest part of the slope, we cross to the left the final scree…

The final scree at the end of the steep section

…and we finally arrive at Frudière Pass (2271m)…

Frudière Pass (2271m)

…and to the immediately accessible Lake Superior Frudière.

Lake Superior of Frudière

3. Map and GPX track

This is the official map of the trail as recorded in the SCT Trail Registry of the Aosta Valley.
You can download the GPX track of the trail if you want to use it later in your favorite app.

Download the trail in GPX format

4. A recent hike

7/8/2020

This GPX track was recorded on 7/8/2020. Very sunny and quite warm day. Nothing to report, the trail is well marked and it is impossible to get lost: being quite busy, difficult to spot animals during the peak season.

Download the trail in GPX format