This is the standard and best-known mountaineering line on Herbetet. It is a glacier-and-ridge ascent starting from the Vittorio Emanuele II hut area in the Gran Paradiso massif. The route typically crosses the Herbetet Glacier and then gains the summit by the south ridge or upper snow slopes, depending on conditions. It is a serious alpine climb rather than a hike, with objective hazards from crevasses, snow bridges, and possible rockfall. Route-finding and glacier travel skills are required, especially in late season when the glacier is more broken. The difficulty is generally moderate in technical terms but can become much more demanding under poor snow or mixed conditions.
