Testa del Rutor

The normal route to Testa del Rutor leads from Rifugio Deffeyes over the Rutor glacier and the northeast ridge. Even the approach to the hut alone is well worth the trip; the spectacular waterfalls along the way help distract from the heavy high alpine backpack. Rifugio Deffeyes also offers a unique panorama: below a turquoise lake and above the massive Rutor glacier, the third largest glacier in the Aosta valley at 8 km². The high alpine tour to Testa del Rutor will bring joy to fans of long glacier hikes, as the approach to the glacier is short and most of the tour is spent on the ice. Depending on crevasse conditions, there are two variants: a "Via centrale," which goes straight over the glacier to the summit, and a "Via di sinistra," where you ascend via the left lateral moraine up to the glacier's midsection. For the return, the latter route is recommended, even though it takes a bit longer, because the danger of crevasse falls is significant in the afternoon. The northeast ridge