Col Gollein, from Bruil

Introduction

A wide-ranging loop hike that develops entirely within the Gran Paradiso National Park territory and during which it is easy to spot alpine fauna; during the route there are no particular difficulties, also helped by the fact that the route up to Entrelor and the return route from the Sort hut are usually well marked. The valleys involved in the itinerary are suggestive and panoramic, immersed as they are in unspoilt high mountain environments with exceptional views of both the upper Rhȇmes valley to the west and the high peaks bordering the nearby Valgrisenche to the north. Before embarking on the outing, it is best to consult the avalanche bulletin as the steep slopes below the Tȇte di Entrelor on the ascent and those just below the pass on the descent must be covered with well-tended snow.

Description

Leaving the car behind, we reach the village square and from here follow the signs for Entrelor, which take us across a bridge over the stream beyond which, to the right of the Gran Paradiso National Park house, the well-marked trail begins. From the markers, climb diagonally to reach the cross-country ski track, which you will have to cross a couple of times as far as the huts of Pra del Bosco (1799 m), from which, on reaching the upper hut, you cross the track one last time and begin the ascent of the wood on the almost always present track. With a few easy hairpin bends you gain height, reaching a junction signposted by posts (1873 m) at which you continue to the right where the slope increases a little, crossing the wood to the right; at the end of a few tight hairpin bends you reach a panoramic promontory where there is a wooden cross, beyond which the route flattens out to enter the Entrelor valley. After a stretch of false level ground, pass the Entrelor huts on the right and shortly afterwards turn left towards the sparse woodland on the slope. Climb up the slope laboriously, crossing a few avalanches, for a long steep stretch that comes out higher up at the beginning of a small valley into which the route is almost flat. One proceeds by walking at the lowest points, zigzagging between the high bumps that surround one at the base of the Tȇte di Entrelor, while the slope gradually becomes steeper as one approaches the final steep slope, which one climbs with a few wide hairpin bends; when the slope diminishes noticeably, one continues to the right and soon reaches the wide creek from which, with a ten-metre drop, one reaches the nearby vantage point topped by a wooden pole.
For the return journey, descend on the opposite side to the ascent, quickly losing altitude on the fairly steep slopes and trying to stay mainly on the left, because on the right you can break away from the wide, steep slopes that descend from the Gollien peaks. When you reach where the valley narrows, stay to the right and, after a short traverse, you will arrive at the Gran Paradiso National Park's Sort hut (2304 m); from the hut, descend more or less below its vertical level into the beautiful wood, which is not very sloping, passing through a few small plateaus and, heading towards the valley floor, descend for a long stretch. Around an altitude of 2000 m, move to the left and descend along a long traverse in the wood with a slightly downhill route that reaches the posts at the crossroads at an altitude of 1873 m from which, turning right, you return along the outward route.