Jervis Refuge, from Villa

Introduction

Located in the pleasant basin of Nel, the Jervis Refuge is an interesting destination for snowshoeing. On the whole, the route is not difficult, but it does have some fairly demanding stretches due to its inclination. It is advisable to walk the route in good snow conditions: you will not be disappointed!

Description

Leaving the car, cross the Orco stream on a wooden footbridge to the ski lift area. Follow a short track on the left going up a first slope until you reach a farmhouse: here proceed straight ahead until you meet the ski lift. Continue to the side of the ski lift until you reach its release: carefully cross the ski slope and, after a short ascent, you will come to a wooden cage.
Leave the cage on the left and climb up to the terminal pylon of the ski lift, after which a steep and not very easy climb begins. With a series of twists and turns, you gain height in the larch forest. After the first 'ramp', proceed southwards at a more moderate gradient, leaving the northern offshoots of the Costiera dell'Uja to the right. The climb begins to increase again just above Alpe Giassetti: the change in gradient is noticeable and you begin to face the most demanding stretch of the entire route. Along the way, it is not difficult to come across chamois in search of some glimmer of vegetation to feed on in this extremely snowy winter.
After the strenuous climb up the steep slope, to be mitigated with continuous turns, you reach a ridge and, a little further on, you come to Alpe Degrane (2045m, 1h25'). From the alp proceed along the wooded ridge in a southerly direction, always slightly uphill. Pass another slightly steeper uphill stretch before resuming the walk on a moderate slope again. The panorama opens up and the forest thins out; slowly the imposing barrier formed by the Levanne appears before the hiker. The forest disappears and, with pleasant ups and downs, we reach the wide Nel basin (where the lake of the same name is clearly covered by snow cover). Head towards a large farmhouse, leaving a small chapel to the left. When you reach the farmstead, descend briefly and then climb again, in a few minutes, towards the Jervis refuge (2250m, 2h00').
The return journey follows the same route as the outward journey (1h45').