Ru Courtaud, from the Barmasc car park

Introduction

Classic summer hike, classic winter hike. The ru Cortod with its centuries-old history becomes an excellent way to appreciate the conformation of the upper Ayas Valley. The route is practically flat and does not involve any great physical effort or present any particular difficulties: in short, a good test for those approaching snowshoeing.

Description

Leave the car behind and head south towards a small wooden chalet near which you will come across a signpost with directions to the path (5) to Ru Courtod. You pass a wooden barrier and can put on your snowshoes.
You begin to climb the dense spruce forest (Abies picea) following the often beaten track that leads to Pian Tavela. Here, practically the whole of the ascent gradient is covered, and in about ten minutes you reach the characteristic plateau at the foot of the Mont Zerbion (1955m, 0h10').
At the plateau, you meet the Ru Cortod and begin to follow it, turning right along the path that runs alongside its course. The trail enters the dense fir forest again and comes out at the level of some cottages at Chavannes (1964m, 0h30'): from here, the peaks of the Monte Rosa group begin to be seen in the distance: from the Lyskamm to the Vincent Pyramid. The route proceeds flat and reaches a first downhill ski slope: cross it with caution, paying attention to those descending. Immediately afterwards, one re-enters the forest in which the ru flows placidly: it is interesting to enjoy the play of light that is formed on the ice by the few rays of sunlight filtering through the fir trees. We leave the forest again and walk along a wide open stretch until we cross a second ski slope (1978m, 1h15'): the same recommendations as before apply!
The route finally reaches a fork (1980m, 1h30'): we ascend a slightly uphill road that leaves the ru and in a few minutes leads to a beautiful plateau where Alpe Mazen is situated. It descends slightly and then ascends again to the alp and the nearby La Tchavana farmhouse (2017 m, 1h45'). Here you can stop on wooden benches (if not too snow-covered) in a splendid mountain environment with excellent panoramic views of the Lyskamm, Punta Zumstein, Piramide Vincent up to Testa Grigia.
The return journey follows the same route as the outward journey.

It is possible to make a small variation on the return journey by descending directly from the alp to the ru, following a straight line in the direction of the valley floor: to easily find the route, follow the wooden fence that runs alongside the summer path.