PROPOSED BY THE GUIDE
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Deffeyes Refuge and the Rutor Glacier

La Joux, Valle d'Aosta · Valle d'Aosta•1 day•Hiking · 2,500 m
Experience
Day hikes
Difficulty ?
INTERMEDIATE
Where?
Valle d'Aosta, Valle d'Aosta
On your own?
No problem
Points
+19
Deffeyes Refuge and the Rutor Glacier
Community photos
Overview
The experience
Difficulty
What's included
Itinerary
Carpooling
What to bring
Your guide
Reviews
Questions
WHY THIS HIKE

Deffeyes refuge and the Rutor glacier

A challenging hike, but full of emotions and spectacular views

Group chat a couple of days before
Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

If you love challenges and are looking for a walk that rewards every step, this is the hike for you. We are in the wonderful Val d'Aosta, specifically in La Joux, a hamlet of La Thuile, the starting point for one of the most scenic climbs in the region.

👣 The itinerary starts gently, crossing a dense larch forest that will give us coolness and magic. As we ascend, we will be enchanted by the spectacular Rutor Waterfalls, a series of impetuous waterfalls that seem to come from a fairy tale book.

🌿 Leaving the woods, the landscape changes: green pastures, crisp high-altitude air and in front of us... the Rutor Glacier, majestic and silent. After about 3 and a half hours of climbing and 950 m of elevation gain, we will reach the Rifugio Deffeyes, an exceptional panoramic point to rest, refresh and enjoy the well-deserved reward.

GOOD TO KNOW
Group chat
It opens a couple of days before: that's where the meeting point is confirmed and carpooling is arranged.
Free cancellation up to 3 days before
You pay nothing when you book.
Guiddy accident insurance
Included in the price.
+19 Guiddy points
Your points grow with every outing, level you up and unlock discounts, exclusive outings and goodies.
Not suitable for dogs
This time your dog stays at home.

How hard is it, really

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
950 m D+ · 12 km · 8 h
Exposure and exposed sections
NONE
No exposed sections reported on the route.
VERTIGO RISK
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 8 h and 950 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included in the price

✓INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
✕NOT INCLUDED
✕Optional lunch in hut
✕Travel to La Joux
To get there, there's Guiddy carpooling, below.

Itinerary

One day, approximate times. The final details come in the group chat.

Elevation gain
950 m
Max altitude
2,500 m
Distance
12 km
Duration
8 h
Day
12 km · D+ 950 m · 8 h
Map
The stops · 12 km
Meeting point 8:30approximate
La Thuile, Valle d'Aosta, Italia. The exact time is confirmed in the group chat. We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
HOW TO GET THERE
08:30MEETING
Meeting Point
Paid parking available, or parking at the bar with a purchase.
09:00WATERFALL
First Waterfall
Just a short 15-20 minute walk from the parking area, we'll be awestruck by the sheer power of this waterfall!
10:45WATERFALL
Second Waterfall
...after a route that requires a bit of fitness, the climb will be rewarded with a delightful surprise.
11:15WATERFALL
Third Waterfall
Get ready to cool off and maybe even get a little wet!
12:30MOUNTAIN HUT
Deffeyes Refuge
...a mountain hut in a stunning location, where you can admire the Rutor Glacier.
13:30MOUNTAIN HUT
Lunch
Lunch is either a packed lunch or at a mountain hut, depending on your preference.
16:30RETURN
"Return" or "Coming Back"
descent via the same ascent route

How do you get to La Joux? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group. Contacts and costs are agreed between you: a seat isn't guaranteed.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike. No technical gear: just good shoes and a well-packed backpack.

Windproof
REQUIRED
Cap
REQUIRED
K-way
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
RECOMMENDED
Trekking boots
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Snack
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Federica A.
Federica A.
· 1 outings
We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Federica, an environmental hiking guide, and the mountains have been my life companion for as long as I can remember. I've been out in them for over 35 years: since my parents carried me in a rucksack along the trails and up the peaks of the Aosta Valley. And once I started walking on my own two feet, I never stopped. After years of experience and training I chose to make it my job, wanting to share this passion and to show people the genuine beauty of the mountains. On my outings I like creating experiences that are simple, honest and full of wonder, because every trail has a story to tell — and it's almost always more interesting than the elevation gain. 🥾🌿 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

Italiano
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Reviews

Only from people who completed the outing.
—
no reviews yet
Itinerary—
Organisation—
Overall experience—
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
We only ask for feedback from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 8 h with 950 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Book now, pay only if it goes ahead
MOST POPULAR
✓No charge now: the amount is only held on your card
✓Free cancellation up to 3 days before
✓You're only charged once the group is confirmed, at 7 pm the evening before departure
✓Minimum not reached? No charge, nothing to do
Or pay straight away by card, PayPal, Satispay or Revolut. With Klarna you can also pay in interest-free instalments.
Ibex
Still have questions? Message Ibex
Ibex is Guiddy's virtual ibex: it answers everything, 24/7. In two messages it tells you whether this outing is for you, how to get there and what to pack.
Message Ibex on WhatsApp
No commitment: we're happy to answer even just for advice.
Deffeyes Refuge and the Rutor Glacier

Deffeyes Refuge and the Rutor Glacier

La Joux, La Thuile (23) · Valle d'Aosta
1 day · Hiking · 2,500 m
New: you'll be among the first Guidders to do it
Elevation gain
950 m
Max altitude
2,500 m
Distance
12 km
Exposed sections
None
Duration
8 h
Guiddy points
+19
4 photos
WHY THIS HIKE

Deffeyes refuge and the Rutor glacier

A challenging hike, but full of emotions and spectacular views

Come alone, leave with new friends

The experience

If you love challenges and are looking for a walk that rewards every step, this is the hike for you. We are in the wonderful Val d'Aosta, specifically in La Joux, a hamlet of La Thuile, the starting point for one of the most scenic climbs in the region.

👣 The itinerary starts gently, crossing a dense larch forest that will give us coolness and magic. As we ascend, we will be enchanted by the spectacular Rutor Waterfalls, a series of impetuous waterfalls that seem to come from a fairy tale book.

🌿 Leaving the woods, the landscape changes: green pastures, crisp high-altitude air and in front of us... the Rutor Glacier, majestic and silent. After about 3 and a half hours of climbing and 950 m of elevation gain, we will reach the Rifugio Deffeyes, an exceptional panoramic point to rest, refresh and enjoy the well-deserved reward.

How hard is it

Guiddy scale
INTERMEDIATE
F
F+
I
I+
D
D+
950 m D+ · 12 km · 8 h
WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU GO
✓
BEFORE YOU GO
Go to bed early, have a good breakfast and drink before you set off: you've got 8 h and 950 m of ascent ahead, if you go to the mountains a couple of times a month, you're fit enough
✓
IN YOUR BACKPACK
Hiking shoes, 1.5 litres of water, a snack and a windproof jacket, plus poles. Always with you: a plaster, an antiseptic wipe and a small bag for rubbish

What's included

INCLUDED
✓Certified Guide
✓Guiddy accident insurance
NOT INCLUDED
✕Optional lunch in hut
✕Travel to La Joux

Itinerary

Day · approximate times
Map
Stops · 12 km
Meeting point 8:30La Joux
We usually meet a little earlier for breakfast together, when possible.
08:30MEETING
Meeting Point
Paid parking available, or parking at the bar with a purchase.
09:00WATERFALL
First Waterfall
Just a short 15-20 minute walk from the parking area, we'll be awestruck by the sheer power of this waterfall!
10:45WATERFALL
Second Waterfall
...after a route that requires a bit of fitness, the climb will be rewarded with a delightful surprise.
11:15WATERFALL
Third Waterfall
Get ready to cool off and maybe even get a little wet!
12:30MOUNTAIN HUT
Deffeyes Refuge
...a mountain hut in a stunning location, where you can admire the Rutor Glacier.
13:30MOUNTAIN HUT
Lunch
Lunch is either a packed lunch or at a mountain hut, depending on your preference.
16:30RETURN
"Return" or "Coming Back"
descent via the same ascent route

How do you get to La Joux? By carpooling.

You say so when booking, then you get organised in the Telegram group.

WHO'S ALREADY GOING
Offering a seat Looking for a seat
Cars are added in the last few days, once the group is confirmed.

What to bring

A list made for this hike.
Windproof
REQUIRED
Cap
REQUIRED
K-way
REQUIRED
Water supply
REQUIRED
Layered clothing
REQUIRED
Trekking boots
REQUIRED
Packed lunch
RECOMMENDED
Trekking boots
RECOMMENDED
Trekking poles
RECOMMENDED
Snack
RECOMMENDED
Mineral salts and supplements
RECOMMENDED

Your guide

Federica A.
Federica A.
1 outings with Guiddy
Guida Ambientale Escursionistica

Hi Guidders! 🧡 I'm Federica, an environmental hiking guide, and the mountains have been my life companion for as long as I can remember. I've been out in them for over 35 years: since my parents carried me in a rucksack along the trails and up the peaks of the Aosta Valley. And once I started walking on my own two feet, I never stopped. After years of experience and training I chose to make it my job, wanting to share this passion and to show people the genuine beauty of the mountains. On my outings I like creating experiences that are simple, honest and full of wonder, because every trail has a story to tell — and it's almost always more interesting than the elevation gain. 🥾🌿 See you in the mountains, Guidders!

We'll email you when they have a new outing on the calendar.

Reviews

— · none yet
Ibex
The first reviews come after the outing
Only from people who were really there.

You'll be among the first to share your story.

Questions?

I've only done easy trails, can I come?
⌄
Flat or slightly inclined sections with short stretches on steep slopes and rocks, not tiring or demanding. You need to be fit enough to walk for 8 h with 950 m of ascent. If in doubt, message Ibex on WhatsApp.
Can I join on my own?
⌄
How does carpooling work?
⌄
What happens if the weather is bad?
⌄
What if the group doesn't reach the minimum?
⌄
Until when can I cancel?
⌄
Ibex
Still unsure? Message Ibex on WhatsApp →
No date
€24.90
per person
Book now →
Pay only if confirmed