Col Leynir (3084m) - Grand Paradiso National Park

Up into the mountains today. Took a bus ride from the campsite up to the Refuge Sovoie a 2532m. The road is closed to normal tourist traffic on Sundays to make way for a 'sustainable travel bus service' that has been put on. It was a pretty cool ride up some ridiculous switch-backs, but I'm not sure how 'eco/sustainable' it was with just Clare & I on board for the first part!

Up at the refuge, we had initially intended to go up to the Col Rossett (3023m), but after following a more interesting looking path early on, found ourselves heading for the Col Leynir. Not sure if it was because the road was closed, or because it was a Sunday, or because the weather was a bit cloudy, but there was no-one about as we hiked up the scenic valley, enjoying the views of the surrounding peaks and lakes. 

The cloud eventually descended as we stopped for a little lunch near the col, but it stayed dry all day. 

During the day we saw loads of Marmots. They were all sizes - right from little tinies to great big loafing ones. They weren't shy either and would stand up on their hind legs and watch you as you walked by!

We were glad to have the bus take on the narrow zig-zags of the drive down. It took just under an hour, so we felt like we'd got pretty good value from the €4.00 return ticket price! Back in the village, we sampled some traditional local chocolate cake and cappuccino to round off a fine day in the hills...