Salero Pass and Lakes (2687m), trail 8A

from the Sitten Refuge to the Rothorn/Passo del Salero/Salerforko Pass

The little valley of the Rothorn photographed from the Rothòre

Salero Lakes from the Salero Pass

Trail 8A starts from the Sitten Hut (2274m) and reaches the Rothorn Pass (also Salero Pass,or Salerforkò) (2687m). It is 1997m long and the total positive elevation gain is 413m.
The approximate time for the climb is 1h13. The trail is rated of difficulty E.

On the orographic right of the Bettaforca valley, at the height of the‘Hotel Ristoro Sitten (it is possible to stay overnight there), it opens the Rothorn valley,which ends at the Rothorn Pass, just below which are the two Salero lakes. From the Rothorn Pass, on the Ayas Valley side, trails 10 and 11 start, crossing the valley of Contenery.

Trail 8A does not present any technical difficulties. Because of its brevity, and the fact that it starts just a few meters from the St. Anna shelf (the place of arrival of the cable car from Stafal, and with as many as two shelters available, theHotel Ristoro Sitten and the Jutz Shelter), it is always very busy. Along the initial part of the trail there is a magnificent view of Mount Rosa, towering majestically behind the climber.

Before returning to the valley, near the cable car departure station, it is worth taking a short detour to admire St. Anne’s Chapel.

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

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The dirt road to the Bettaforca Pass starts from Jutz.

The path climbs in the direction of the opening at the top

The marshy shelf below the Salero lakes.

From the Rothorn Pass, the two lakes of Salero

From the Rothorn pass, the Contenery valley to the Ayas valley.

From the Rothorn Pass, the Bloabhòre and the saddle connecting it to the Rothorn

1. Start and finish

Trail 8A starts from Sitten Hut, the elevation is 2274m.
See on Google Maps.

Latitudine e longitudine (WGS84 - EPSG 4326): 45.8577673757, 7.7970103222

The arrival location is the Rothorn Pass. The altitude is 2687m.
See on Google Maps.

Latitudine e longitudine (WGS84 - EPSG 4326): 45.8499741979, 7.78268867397

2. The route

The start of Trail 8A is not in the valley floor, but at high altitude. You have to get to Stafal (no parking difficulties) and take the cable car to St. Anna. As soon as you get off the cable car you are faced with the Jutz h ut, and higher up on a rise you can see the Sitten hut . Next to the Jutz h ut, a dirt road starts, climbing in the direction of the Bettaforca Pass.

The dirt road to the Bettaforca Pass starts from Jutz.

Climb up the dirt road to the last bend that leads toward the Sitten hut: on the left you will see trail marker posts with signs for Trail 8A.

The path climbs in the direction of the opening at the top

From the post marking the start of 8A, observing the trail and the slope that will soon be ascended and then spanning St. Anna and the nearby Albergo Ristoro Sitten.

You almost immediately cross a small bridge over a stream, and move to the opposite side of the valley. The trail is well marked: In about three wide turns you climb up the steep valley step, for long stretches there are wooden steps that help to test your breath…

Once the steps were finished, the valley step was passed. You first cut through Salerobach until you reach a marshy shelf at about 2480m, where the stream breaks into a thousand rivulets. Here you cut back across the creek moving to the right (orographic left).

The marshy shelf below the Salero lakes.

Still keeping to the right, the trail continues to climb at a gentler gradient, first skirting a stony basin…

The stony basin

…and then arrive at Lower Salero Lake (2627m)…

Lower Salero Lake

…and, a few meters above, to Upper Salero Lake.

Upper Salero Lake

Continuing along the trail, a final very short stony ramp leads to the Rothorn Pass (2687m), the final point of the route.

From the Rothorn Pass, the two lakes of Salero

The view from the Salero Pass.

One more step:

Southwest of the Rothorn pass (and about 200 meters in elevation gain), an anonymous saddle post at 2852m divides the Rothorn (3152m) on the left (more easily reached starting from Gressoney La Trinité and following trail 10) from the Bloabhòre (2912m) on the right (also more approachable from Valle D’Ayas). According to some guidebooks (I never did), by looking for your way through the sea of rocks, you can reach this saddle quite easily: it is an excellent vantage point over Gran Paradiso, Grivola, Rutor, Mont Blanc and the southwestern peaks of the Aosta Valley.

From the Rothorn Pass, the Bloabhòre (right) and the saddle (2852m) connecting it to the Rothorn (left)

To the north-northeast of the Rothron Pass, some guidebooks point out the possibility of ascending along an obvious gully to a small lake at 2745m from which there would be an excellent view of the Rosa range and the Lys.

Below is a 3D view of the area in which I have highlighted the Rothorn pass and these two optional destinations.

3. The GPX track

This is the map of the trail, according to the SCT Trail Cadastre of the Aosta Valley.

Download the trail in GPX format