Activities and Excursions

From the high peaks to the wonders of the valley floor: discover a world of adventures amidst wild nature, outdoor sports, and moments of pure relaxation for the whole family.

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Valsavarenche and Surroundings

Activities for all ages

Here you’ll find some of the experiences we love most and gladly recommend to our guests.
Hikes, walks, culture, relaxation, and sports: plenty of ideas to discover Valsavarenche and its surroundings.

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Parks

It offers an immersive journey into the aquatic ecosystem, blending nature, multimedia installations, and aquariums. It is home to Eurasian otters, a flagship species for conservation, and promotes environmental awareness and protection through research and education.

A close encounter with ibex, chamois, and marmots to see the true inhabitants of the mountain up close.

Where stories come to life amidst outdoor games and creative installations for moments of pure magic.

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Castles

A charming and perfectly preserved medieval manor, which tells the history and traditions of the Aosta Valley through frescoes, period furnishings, and historic rooms.

One of the most famous castles in the region, now home to the Natural Sciences Museum, which offers a journey through Alpine fauna, flora, and geology, ideal for all ages.

One of the most beautiful and visited medieval castles in the Aosta Valley, famous for its battlemented towers, well-preserved frescoes, and a fairytale atmosphere that tells the story of life in the Middle Ages.

A manor with a bizarre and medieval charm, nestled in the orchards of Saint-Pierre and overlooking the Dora Baltea river.

“Step into the history of the Savoy dynasty: here the Hunter King loved to rest amidst the peaks he so greatly admired.”

Purchased by King Victor Emmanuel II to serve as his headquarters for hunting trips in the Gran Paradiso, the castle retains a regal and, at the same time, profoundly Alpine charm.

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Fun for all ages

A unique adventure park set among rocks and gorges above the stream. Adrenaline-pumping and highly atmospheric.

It is generally accessible to children aged 8 and up.

The sports hub. It offers river rafting trips suitable for children and high ropes courses among the trees.

The ideal place for relaxing and swimming under the sun, surrounded by the green mountains.

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Unusual Activities

Between Earth and Sky

A fascinating journey into the bowels of the earth. Board a vintage train to explore the tunnels of Europe’s highest magnetite mine, discovering how miners lived and worked among historic machinery and atmospheric galleries.

A dive into the cosmos in one of the areas with the least light pollution in Italy. Through professional telescopes and digital projections in the planetarium, you can observe stars, planets, and galaxies, guided by expert astrophysicists who reveal the secrets of the universe.

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Authentic Scenery of Valsavarenche

Hikes to do in the surrounding area

Explore Valsavarenche and Gran Paradiso through the itineraries we love most. We have selected these hikes for you based on our personal experience and the views that moved us the most, certain they will enchant you too.

Park your car in the parking lot at the entrance to the village of Rovenaud. The trail begins just before the town (follow the signs for trail marker 12). The first part of the track is almost flat and leads in a few minutes to the base of the majestic Rovenaud Waterfall: an impressive drop that becomes an iconic destination for ice climbers in winter.

Past the waterfall, the trail begins to climb steeply but with extreme consistency. Here, the royal mule track shows all its charm: the hairpin bends are wide, reinforced by original dry-stone walls. You will find yourself immersed in a dense mixed forest of larch, fir, and broad-leaved trees, offering shade and coolness even on the hottest days.

As you climb, the forest thins out, giving way to panoramic views of the head of the Valsavarenche and surrounding peaks such as the Grivola and Gran Nomenon. This area is particularly quiet and wild: it is not uncommon to spot chamois grazing on the steep slopes or to hear the whistle of marmots.
The hike ends at the Maisoncles alp, home to the Gran Paradiso National Park ranger station. This is a stone building used by park rangers for wildlife monitoring. Here the valley opens into a beautiful meadow basin, ideal for a refreshing break before the descent, which follows the same route as the outward journey.

Hike from Rovenaud to Maisoncles

  • Departure: Rovenaud (1,460 m)
  • Arrival: Maisoncles PNGP Ranger Station (1,860 m)
  • Trail marker: 12
  • Elevation gain: +400 m
  • Hiking time: 1h 45' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)

A nearly flat circular itinerary that winds along the banks of the Savara stream. It is not just a walk, but a true sensory and educational journey:

  • The Wolf Theme: Along the path, you will find information panels that tell the story—in a never-ordinary way—of the wolf’s life, its return, and its importance in the delicate Gran Paradiso ecosystem.
  • Enchanted landscape: You will walk through larch forests, alpine meadows, and small wooden bridges, with the glacier water always by your side.
  • For everyone: Ideal for families (even with small children) or for those looking for a moment of total relaxation in close contact with the local wildlife.

Rovenaud - Degioz Loop

  • Departure: Rovenaud / Degioz (1,541 m)
  • Arrival: Circular route
  • Trail marker: Valley Floor Trail
  • Elevation gain: Minimal
  • Hiking time: 1h 30' (total loop)
  • Difficulty: T (Easy / Tourist)

The itinerary (trail marker “Alta Via #2”) starts from the village of Eau Rousse (meaning “red water” in French, due to the typical ferruginous water that flows in the area); after crossing the Savara stream and the valley floor alpine pastures, the trail climbs through a forest of larch and spruce, where you can spot chamois, squirrels, and woodpeckers.

After a long traverse, you will reach the path coming up from Tignet (trail marker 10); continue until you spot the Levionaz Dessous (lower) alp, near which stand a cabin reserved for park researchers and the park rangers’ station.

If you wish, you can continue across the vast Levionaz plateau, where ibex and marmots can be seen, towards the final alp of Levionaz Dessus (upper).

Levionaz Dessous from Eaux Rousses

  • Departure: Eaux Rousses (1,666 m)
  • Arrival: Alpe Levionaz Dessous (2,285 m)
  • Trail markers: 2 (Alta Via 2), 10B
  • Elevation gain: +619 m
  • Hiking time: 2h 00' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)

Starting from Dégioz, cross the Savara stream to take the historic royal mule track at Vers le Bois. This legendary road, built for King Victor Emmanuel II’s hunting expeditions, will lead you with gentle slopes to the former Orvieille Hunting Lodge.

After the Orvieille basin, the landscape opens up: crossing the Djouan and Tzoplana alpine pastures, you will enter the valley of the lakes. Here, you will be surrounded by spectacular alpine blossoms and can easily spot marmots, chamois, and ibex.

“This is the hike we love to call ‘royal.’ Walking along the mule track commissioned by King Victor Emmanuel II is like taking a journey back in time, leading to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the entire Park: the reflection of Gran Paradiso in the waters of the Djouan Lakes.”

Orvieille Royal Hunting Lodge and Djouan Lakes

  • Departure: Dégioz (1,541 m)
  • Arrival: Upper Djouan Lake (2,516 m)
  • Trail marker: 5
  • Elevation gain: +1,050 m
  • Hiking time: 3h 30' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)

A couple of kilometers before the village of Pont Valsavarenche, near the Terré alpine pasture, cross the Savara stream and, after passing the Pravieux alp, the ascent begins through a fragrant forest of larch and stone pine—one of the black grouse’s favorite spots in this valley. After a series of switchbacks through the woods, you finally emerge onto the alpine meadows, rewarded by an enchanting view of the Park’s high peaks as you reach the Federico Chabod refuge.

For a complete experience, we suggest the “Chabod-Vittorio Emanuele Traverse”. It is a nearly flat panoramic trail connecting the two refuges at the foot of the glacier: a unique way to see the massif from every angle before descending to Pont.

Trail to the Federico Chabod Refuge

  • Departure: Lavassey / Pravieux Alp (1,834 m)
  • Arrival: Federico Chabod Refuge (2,750 m)
  • Trail marker: 5
  • Elevation gain: +920 m
  • Hiking time: 2h 45' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)
  • Note: Access with dogs is allowed only from July 15 to September 15, strictly on a leash.

Upstream of the village of Pont-Valsavarenche, after leaving your car in the large parking lot near the Hotel Gran Paradiso, cross the bridge over the Savara on the left and follow much of the flat area in the Seyraz valley until you reach the Tétras Lyre refuge. The trail, well-marked and very popular, then climbs through the larch forest to a dominant rocky ledge overlooking the entire amphitheater of the aforementioned valley. Continue along the path and, once at the top, you will find yourself in front of a building with an unmistakable shape (barrel-shaped) situated on the shores of a small alpine lake, right at the foot of the glacier.

From here, mountaineers set out for the summit of Gran Paradiso, and the air here is filled with the true scent of the high mountains.

If you have time for lunch, the “polenta concia” tastes completely different here with a view of the Ciarforon glacier!

Trail to the Vittorio Emanuele II Refuge

  • Departure: Pont Valsavarenche (1,960 m)
  • Arrival: Vittorio Emanuele II Refuge (2,719 m)
  • Trail marker: 1
  • Elevation gain: +775 m
  • Hiking time: 2h 30' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)
  • Note: Access with dogs is allowed only from July 15 to September 15, strictly on a leash.

The trail starts in Pont, the last village in Valsavarenche. The ascent begins steeply along a mule track that immediately offers spectacular views of the Gran Paradiso glacier.

Croce de la Roley: This is our first “must-see” stop. This panoramic balcony offers a sheer view of the valley below; it is the perfect spot for a short break and to breathe in the thin mountain air.

Once past the steepest climb, the landscape changes radically: a vast plateau opens up before you, dotted with crystal-clear lakes and carved by the meanders of the stream. It is a true paradise for lovers of photography and wilderness.

Continuing on level ground, you reach the large Nivolet Lakes and the mountain pass of the same name (2,612 m), a natural border with Piedmont, from which you can admire the famous Serrù and Agnel lakes.

Croce de la Roley and Nivolet Plains

  • Departure: Pont Valsavarenche (1,952 m)
  • Arrival: Nivolet Plains (2,400 m)
  • Trail markers: 3 (Croce de la Roley), 3-3a (Pian Borgno)
  • Elevation gain: +448 m
  • Hiking time: 2h 30' (ascent)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)
  • Note: Access with dogs is allowed only from July 15 to September 15, strictly on a leash.

From the large parking lot in Pont di Valsavarenche, cross the stream and take trail no. 1 which, on the true right bank and on level ground, leads to the Tetras Lyre refuge.

The refuge is reached after about 15 minutes and is located on the trail leading up to the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge, set within a large green clearing in the middle of a larch forest.

The return to Pont is on the true left bank.

Tétras Lyre Refuge - Base Camp Loop Trail

  • Departure: Pont Valsavarenche (1,952 m)
  • Arrival: Base Camp / Loop trail
  • Trail markers: 1 / 1A
  • Elevation gain: +150 m
  • Hiking time: 1h 30' (total loop)
  • Difficulty: E (Intermediate Hiker)
  • Note: Access with dogs is allowed only from July 15 to September 15, strictly on a leash.

Excursions Outside the Valley

The trail connecting Lake Pellaud to Thumel, in the Rhêmes Valley, is a pleasant and easy hike within the Gran Paradiso National Park. The route, mostly level or with a gentle slope, winds through larch forests and along the Dora di Rhêmes river, offering spectacular views of the Granta Parey. Ideal for families.

Continuing past Thumel, the trail joins the routes leading to high-altitude refuges, such as the Benevolo, for those seeking a more challenging hike.

Hike Details

  • Departure: Hamlet of Bruil or Chanavey (Rhêmes-Notre-Dame)
  • Arrival: Lake Pellaud (1,815 m) and subsequently the locality of Thumel
  • Difficulty: Easy (T - Tourist level)
  • Duration: 1h 15m - 2h (one way)
  • Elevation gain: Very limited, approximately 74-180 m
  • Points of interest: The characteristic lake with its crystal-clear waters, the renovated mill, the hamlet of Pellaud, and the view of the snow-capped peaks.

The “open-air museum” trail from Vetan to the Mont Fallère Refuge is one of the most unique hikes in Aosta Valley, as it blends nature and art.

It starts from the locality of Vetan (about 1,700 m, above Saint-Pierre) and follows trail no. 13 through pastures and larch forests, offering wide panoramic views over the main valleys and peaks of the area.

What makes it unique is that a true open-air museum unfolds along the entire route: hundreds of wooden sculptures (over 300–400), created by the Aosta Valley sculptor Siro Viérin, depict alpine animals, human figures, gnomes, and scenes of mountain life, often hidden among trees and rocks.

The trail alternates between easy stretches through meadows and steeper climbs in the woods up to the Mont Fallère Refuge (about 2,385 m).

For those seeking relaxation, the Mont Fallère Refuge offers excellent traditional cuisine and a splendid panoramic terrace, while more adventurous hikers can continue toward the Lago delle Rane or the summit of Mont Fallère (3,061 m).

For those who prefer a gentler alternative or are with small children, it is possible to follow the farm track (dirt road), which is longer but less steep, and rejoins the main trail near the refuge.

Hike Details

  • Departure: Hamlet of Vetan-Dessus (Saint-Pierre), parking lot near the Hotel Notre Maison (1,800 m)
  • Arrival: Mont Fallère Refuge (2,385 m)
  • Difficulty: E (Hiking level) - Suitable for everyone with a minimum of walking experience
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 600 meters
  • Ascent time: 2 hours / 2 hours and a half
  • Trail marker: Trail no. 13

Starting from the small village of La Joux, just a few minutes from La Thuile, winds one of the region’s most famous and beloved trails: the Rutor Waterfalls path. Three majestic waterfalls, fed by the melting Rutor glacier (the third largest in Aosta Valley), offer a spectacle of rare power, amidst sudden rainbows and clouds of refreshing mist.

The trail climbs gradually, offering ever-changing perspectives on the power of nature:

  • The First Waterfall (1,700 m): Reachable in just 20 minutes on an easy trail, it is the ideal destination for a short, relaxing walk.
  • The Second Waterfall (1,850 m): Continuing the climb through the coniferous forest, the roar grows louder until you reach a breathtaking panoramic balcony.
  • The Third Waterfall (1,996 m): The highest and most scenic point. Here, a striking steel bridge opened in 2014 allows you to cross directly over the waterfall, offering a vertical view into the abyss.

Technical Details

  • Departure: Hamlet of La Joux, La Thuile (1,603 m)
  • Difficulty: E (Hiking level) - The first section is suitable for everyone, while the trail to the third waterfall requires some fitness due to the stone steps.
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 400 meters up to the third waterfall
  • Duration: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes for the ascent (one way)
  • Trail marker: Trail no. 3

A regenerating walk through alpine meadows and spectacular waterfalls.

The trail connecting the village of Cogne to the hamlet of Lillaz is one of the most beloved and accessible routes in the entire Aosta Valley. This walk, almost entirely flat, crosses the famous Sant’Orso Meadows and runs alongside the stream, leading in less than an hour to the base of the impressive Lillaz Waterfalls.

Starting from the center of Cogne, you are immediately immersed in the scenery of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The trail is wide and well-marked, perfect for those seeking a gentle connection with nature. Once you reach Lillaz, the spectacle becomes powerful: the waterfalls, formed by three drops of the Urtier stream totaling 150 meters in height, offer unique photographic views and incredibly fresh air rich in negative ions.

The Waterfall Loop Trail

Once in Lillaz, it is highly recommended to follow the circular trail (13L), which allows you to admire all three levels of the waterfalls. You climb along the right side (steeper, with stone steps) to enjoy the viewpoints above the falls and descend on the opposite side through a larch forest. (30-40 additional minutes)

Technical Route Details

  • Departure: Cogne (town center or motorhome parking area)
  • Arrival: Lillaz Waterfalls (1,610 m)
  • Difficulty: T (Tourist level) - Extremely easy, suitable for families, strollers (on the Cogne-Lillaz section), and people with little hiking experience.
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 80 meters
  • Walking time: 50 - 60 minutes (one way)
  • Accessibility: The first level of the waterfalls is also accessible to people with motor disabilities, thanks to a specially equipped path.

The route starts from Colle San Carlo (approx. 1,950 m), where you will find parking areas and trail signs.

The route (trail marker 15) begins with a gentle climb through a forest of larch and fir trees, on a wide and well-trodden path. After the first 15–20 minutes, you gradually leave the woods and the panorama opens up: splendid views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding valleys appear.

The trail continues with a moderate slope through alpine pastures and clearings, crossing small streams and wetlands rich with flowers (in summer). It presents no technical difficulties and is always well-marked.

The final stretch is almost flat and leads to Lake Arpy (2,066 m), which appears suddenly: a crystal-clear body of water, often reflecting the surrounding mountains, surrounded by meadows where you can stop and rest.

Bring your camera! On sunny, windless days, the reflection of the Dent du Géant and the Grandes Jorasses in the water is a breathtaking natural spectacle.

Technical Route Details

  • Departure: Colle San Carlo (1,951 m), near the Genzianella Restaurant
  • Arrival: Lake Arpy (2,064 m)
  • Difficulty: T (Tourist level) - Very easy, suitable for children and seniors
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 120 meters
  • Walking time: 45 - 50 minutes (one way)
  • Trail marker: Trail no. 15

Starting from the dam wall, the trail follows an easy dirt road that winds along the left bank of the lake. Along the way, roaring waterfalls and rock faces alternate with panoramic views where the sky and water seem to merge. The final destination is the historic village of Prarayer, where a cozy mountain hut awaits hikers for a typical Aosta Valley gastronomic break.

The complete absence of steep climbs makes it a favorite destination for families with small children and those looking to enjoy a mountain day in total relaxation. The dam itself, standing 155 meters high, is a monumental attraction that is well worth a visit.

Technical Route Details

  • Departure: Place-Moulin Dam parking area (1,970 m), Bionaz
  • Arrival: Prarayer Refuge (2,005 m)
  • Difficulty: T (Tourist level) - Flat, wide, and hazard-free trail
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 35 meters (gentle ups and downs)
  • Length: ~12 km (full lake loop)
  • Walking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (one way)
  • Accessibility: Suitable for mountain bikes and trekking strollers

The Chamois trail (often identified as the La Magdeleine – Chamois walk) is the perfect itinerary for those wishing to discover the “Pearl of the Alps,” the only municipality in Italy that cannot be reached by car.

The pedestrian link between La Magdeleine and Chamois is much more than a simple trail: it is a rejuvenating experience suitable for everyone. Also known as the “Energy Path”, this flat itinerary follows the ancient route of a “ru” (irrigation canal), offering constant views over the Matterhorn valley and total immersion in the silence of nature.

Along the approximately 4.5 km walk, adults and children alike can enjoy the 7 educational play installations dedicated to the theme of energy (hydroelectric, solar, and wind). The path is dotted with panels explaining how nature provides precious resources, turning the walk into an outdoor learning opportunity.

Once you reach the center of Chamois, those who still feel like walking can head up (in about 30-40 minutes or via the chairlift) to Lake Lod (2,015 m), an alpine lake surrounded by picnic areas and bars—perfect for a refreshing break before heading back.

Practical note: If you prefer a different experience, you can take the cable car from Buisson up to Chamois and walk the trail backward toward La Magdeleine, enjoying the gentle descent.

Technical Route Details

  • Departure: Hamlet of Veuillen, La Magdeleine (1,760 m)
  • Arrival: Chamois, hamlet of Corgnolaz (1,815 m)
  • Difficulty: T (Tourist level) - Almost entirely flat
  • Elevation gain: Approximately 100 meters total
  • Walking time: 1 hour and 15 minutes (one way)
  • Accessibility: Perfectly suitable for trekking strollers, mountain bikes, and, in winter, snowshoes

Punta Helbronner, reachable via the Skyway Monte Bianco, is one of the most spectacular panoramic spots in the Alps and a true “suspended viewpoint” overlooking the Mont Blanc massif.

The journey starts in Entrèves, near Courmayeur, where you board the Skyway’s rotating cabins, which slowly revolve 360° during the ascent.

The landscape changes rapidly: the forests and valleys of Val Veny and Val Ferret are replaced by increasingly bare rocks and approaching glaciers, followed by the absolute white of the high altitude.

After the intermediate stop at Pavillon, the journey continues to the summit. Upon reaching Punta Helbronner, you find a station that emerges as a suspended structure at 3,466 meters, literally carved into the rock and ice.

As soon as you step out of the cable car, you are surrounded by snow and ice for most of the year and an almost surreal silence, broken only by the wind.

From the 360° panoramic terraces, one of the most impressive landscapes in Europe unfolds: the majestic profile of Mont Blanc right in front of you, the vertical walls of the Grandes Jorasses, the sharp peak of the Dent du Géant, and the vast stretches of glaciers: the Glacier du Géant, Brenva, and the Vallée Blanche.

On clear days, you can make out dozens of peaks as far as Monte Rosa and beyond.

Excursion Details

  • Courmayeur - The Valley (1,300 m): The departure station at Pontal d’Entrèves. Modern glass and steel architecture welcomes travelers with large parking areas and dining facilities.
  • Pavillon - The Mountain (2,173 m): The intermediate station, where nature and mankind meet. Here you can visit the Saussurea Alpine Botanical Garden (the highest in Europe), relax in the solarium overlooking Val Veny, or discover Cave Mont Blanc, the experimental winery producing sparkling wine at high altitude.
  • Punta Helbronner - The Sky (3,466 m): The highest point. Once you arrive, the view spans 360° over the "giants" of the Alps: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and Gran Paradiso.

The Aosta-Pila cable car is much more than a means of transport: it is a vertical journey that takes you from 579 meters on the valley floor to 1,800 meters in Pila. During the ascent, the view progressively opens up over the ancient city of Aosta and the highest peaks in Europe, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Monte Rosa.

Once you reach Pila, you find yourself in a sun-kissed natural amphitheater. In summer, the resort becomes a paradise for hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts. The absence of cars makes the environment silent and the air incredibly crisp, offering a rejuvenating escape just a few minutes from the city center.

Excursion Details

  • Opening hours (approximate): * June and late August/September: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Departure Point: Bottom station in Aosta (Strada Pont-Suaz, 4), located near the railway station and equipped with a large parking area.

From the top of the cable car, numerous trails for all skill levels branch out:

  • Marmot Trail (Easy): Perfect for families. An educational path of about 45 minutes that often allows you to spot these friendly rodents in their natural habitat.
  • Chamolé Lake (Easy/Intermediate): Reachable in about 1 hour and 30 minutes on foot (or more comfortably in 10 minutes via the Chamolé chairlift). It is a stunning alpine lake surrounded by pastures.
  • Arbolle Refuge (Hiking level): For those seeking a bit of a challenge, the trail climbs beyond Lake Chamolé to the Arbolle Refuge (2,507 m), offering an unparalleled view of the Gran Paradiso range.
  • Pila – San Grato Hermitage Loop (Easy): A flat walk through the woods leading to the charming little church dedicated to the patron saint of Aosta.
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