Switzerland and the adjacent portions of Italy, Savoy and the Tyrol : Handbook for travellers / by K. Baedeker. With nineteen maps, seven plans and seven panoramas.

Karl Baedeker

Date:: 1867

Credit: Switzerland and the adjacent portions of Italy, Savoy and the Tyrol : Handbook for travellers / by K. Baedeker. With nineteen maps, seven plans and seven panoramas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

520/572

$roiitp^ ascends N. through the Val MastaHone bv Fohpllo to Ponte Omndt (p. 2b1), and thence to Macugnaga. From Varallo by Gressoney to Lc Breuil (p. 268) two davg- excursion. Conveyance from the post-office at Varallo dailv in 2 hrs U, (IJ M.) / ascending the Val di Sesia (see above) with which tlie Val di .Sermenza unites at Jialiiiucci,i. Thence a gradual ascent of H/, hr to MoUm (*Albergo Valsesiano), and (11/„ hr.) Riv,i (tolerable inn) Here'se- veral ot the peaks ot Monte I?osa become visible , of which a still finer view IS obtained from Alwjna (3705 ft.). The inn at Alagna, where Ger- nian is spoken, is belter than that of Riva, but travellers proceeding to Gi-essoney must return to Eiva. To the W. of Alagna lies ttie hi.io a Olleii (bbib ft.), leading to .S. Giacomo la Trinita (Gr-csfoiieii la Tririitd). Ascending gradually from Riva ll/o hr. in the Val t'c/na, the path passes through several miserable villages, then forms a sharp angle to the -Tof/'^- '^ * precipitous slope (in 2 hrs.) to the Col di Valdobbia ; (7844 it.), the hospice of which is visible during the last 1/ hr. Here re- freshments and rough accommodation for the night may be procured. The path descends still more precipitously, at first traversing a snow-field and loose stones, and finally pine-forest, in 2 hrs. to Gnssoiieu St. Jem (4371 ft.) (*/««, German). The view from the Col di Valdobbia is insigni- licant, but embraces a charming survey of the Val Gressonev with its ver- dant pastures, pine-v.lad slopes, group,s' of cottages, and picturesque water- falls. Towards the N. it is terminated bv the Liiskamm (comp, p. 274); to the N.W''. rises the snow-clad Grau-Hanp't (10,350 ft.). Descending the valley from Gressoney, the traveller reaches Pont fit. M<(rlin in the Dora Valley, on the road from Aosta to Ivrea (see J1ae(lekrr\-: If. /ta/y), in 5 hrs.; or in 4 hrs. over the Ranzola-Fiirke to Brussoii (4134 ft.), and in 4 hrs. more bv the Col <le Jon to VMtillon (p. 269). The direct route from Gressoney to Le Breuil is more interesting, but more arduous. The path gradually ascends in the Val Gresaoiin for 2 hrs., then turning to the 1., ascends rapidly in I hr. to a chapel commanding a magnificent prospect of the Lyskamm, the Lys Glacier and three peaks of Monte Rosa. After another hour's climbing, the Furca di Betta (S126 ft.), is attained, whence the chain of the Pennine Alps, rising above the Val d'Ayas, and the imposing snow-clad Oramt Combiii (p. 2.35) are visible. After a steep descent of 1 lir., Ra^el or Resv is reached; at the first chalet scanty refreshments, a mule may be hired. The path to Le Breuil traverses the Col des Cimes Blanches. ' By the same route the Jlatterjoch or Theodul Pass (p. 268) may also bi' attained without passing through Le Breuil; this path is, however, more dangerous than that l'r<im Lo Breuil on account of the crevasses of the glacier. The path from Kesel descends and ascends for I hr. , skirting the glaciers of Ayas and Aventina and avoiding the ravines of the glacier-brooks and the huge fragment.^ ofgra- j iiite by various circuits, and finally ascends rapidly to the clialets of .IrCK- j liiiii, where the direct path to the Blatterjoch diverges to the r. The jiath i to Le Breuil mounts in I hr. to the Col des Cimes Blanches (03(15 ft.) whence the mountains of Val Tournanche and the entire .Mpiiie chain from Wont Blanc to Aosta. are visible. A small lake liis to the I.; far and wide the scene is one of utter desolation. After descending fr<ini tlie Col, the path to the r. must be selected, by which in 21/.j hrs. (to the I., also 21/1; hrs., to the church of Val Toiinia'iichc, p. 268) /»' lircuil (p. 2(>S) is reached. (The passage of the Matterjoch is considered less fatiguing from Le Breuil than from Zermatt on the N. side. Distances from the Hotel du Mont Cervin near Lc Breuil: to the S base of the glacier2 hrs , lo the summit of the pass I hr., to the N. base of the glacier I hr., Zormalt 2'/o lir.s., altogether B'/l' hrs., two of which are occupied in cros- sing the glacier, conip. ]i. 268). These three jiasses, the Col di Valdobbia, the Furca di Betta and tin' Col des Crimes Blanches are also practicable for mules. The guides on the Italian side of Monte Riisa arc sometimes unreasonable in their dc-$