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WALK 6

Refuge du Balif Viso (2460m: 8071ft)

Start	La Roche Ecroulée (1780m: 5840ft)
Valley base	Abriès or Ristolas
Distance	7km (4 miles) to the hut
Total ascent	680m (2231ft)
Time	2½hrs up, 1¾hrs down
Map	Didier Richard 10 ‘Queyras’ 1:50,000

Although it rises on the Italian side of the border, Monte Viso (3841m) stands at the head of the Guil, a long and important valley that eventually opens to the Durance at Guillestre south of Besançon. It’s not only a handsome mountain but, thanks to its position, it is visible from the summit of countless Alpine peaks, and its presence is thereby felt over a large area. Refuge du Balif Viso enjoys a grandstand view of this noble peak, and for much of the way to the hut, the mountain entices you on. The walk begins at the second parking area known as La Roche Ecroulée, named after the huge boulder which dominates the first one. This is found about 7km upstream of Ristolas, and is as far south as vehicles are allowed in the valley. An information office stands next to the car park.

At the southern end of the car park, where a barrier prevents unauthorised vehicles from proceeding, a footpath signposted to the right gives 1½hrs to the Grand Belvédère du Viso. It rises through larchwoods and in 15mins emerges to an open meadow where the way forks. The righthand path is an ‘ecological trail’, but we wander across the meadow to gain a first magical view of Monte Viso, before entering larchwoods once more. A well walked path leads through the woods, then out to birches by the stream and a bridge across the Guil. Now on the east bank the way briefly heads downstream, before cutting back up the hillside to join the road near a farm building. Once again Monte Viso towers at the head of the valley.

Monte Viso on the Franco-Italian border

Just before coming onto the road another path breaks to the right to contour along the hillside below road level. Either walk along the road as far as the Grand Belvédère, or take the footpath. The path certainly makes for more comfortable walking, and is most attractive where it crosses pastures and weaves among silver birch and larch, although in places it spills onto the road for a short distance. When the road twists left to climb in hairpins, the alternative path goes through a small gorge, then climbs out at the southern end onto the Grand Belvédère du Viso, a romantic name for a disappointingly flat area of roadhead at 2133m – although the view it commands is anything but disappointing.

Climb from the roadhead to a path junction and continue ahead, rising quite steeply over pastures for another 45mins where you intercept the route of GR58 and bear right. After crossing a few minor streams the path leads directly to the refuge.

Refuge du Balif Viso was built to a modern design by the CAF in 1976. It is well-equipped and comfortable, has places for 48 and a full meals service from mid-June to mid-September when the guardian is in residence (Tel: 04 92 46 81 81, lesenfetchores@free.fr, www.clubalpin.com).