Alta Luce/Hochliecht

From the bridge at Staffal, go up a small road that starts on the right (left orographic side) of the Lys stream (trail marker 7). The trail, after passing a moraine, turns right at a junction located at 2155 m and becomes trail marker 7c. Climb up to the lower Alpe Salza (2321 m), continue on a well-marked trail to the Salza pass (watch out for the last steep ramp which is rather 'dirty' and slippery due to the nature of the rock). The pass is marked by a large cairn with several signboards. Here, without being misled by the many indications (the one for Alta Luce is placed downhill on the Gabiet side and might be missed), take the steep path to the left that climbs north (yellow mark with an arrow and just above the indication for 7C on a rock). After the steep initial section overlooking the pass, the trail widens and softens, passes over a plateau and gently climbs over a large scree to reach the remains of the Passera bivouac and the summit bell tower (40/50 minutes from the pass). For the return it is possible (stone on the ground with diverging arrows shortly before the bivouac): – to make a loop crossing the rocky summit plateau eastwards after which the view opens in front of the Città di Mantova refuge. From here it is possible to descend briefly and climb again through a detrital area to the refuge or you can definitely descend into the Moos valley ignoring the deviation to the Salza pass, going around the Bleu and Verde lakes on the left (trail marker 6A) and thus reaching the Alpe Gabiet cable car, or stay higher on a trail not always clear and reach Staffal; – return back to the Salza pass and here decide whether to retrace the ascent route (trail marker 7C) or descend to Alpe Gabiet via the Moos valley (trail marker 6A) to use the return by cable car.

Hiking boots, snowshoes, backpack, waterproof jacket.

Exit at the Pont-Saint-Martin highway toll and take Regional Road 44 towards Gressoney until you reach Staffal.

Train line from Milan or Turin, stop at Pont-Saint-Martin where you can take the bus to the Gressoney Valley, up to the terminal at Staffal.

Staffal parking lot.