A walk among Italian giants — Aosta Valley High Route 1

The journey along the Alta Via 1 of the Aosta Valley starts from Donnas, a small town a few kilometers from the border with Piedmont and the imposing Bard Fort. Walking through the streets of the town you can see its ancient origins, a surprising example is the Via consolare delle Gallie, carved into… read more

Cross the stone bridge that crosses the Giassit stream and continue towards the hill which takes its name from the river that cuts through the basin. In front of you is a succession of mountain pastures and, as the altitude increases, crags covered with conifers. The slope becomes more and more sustained… read more

Leave the Coda Refuge and walk towards Col Sella. The stretch you are traveling on is in Piedmontese territory, the hill establishes the border between the two Regions. Flank Lake Goudin and continue your descent, sometimes steep, towards Alpe Serrafredda.



At the crossroads, continue in the direction… read more

Backpack on and off to the fourth stage of the Alta Via. Retrace a stretch of yesterday's path backwards and at the crossroads proceed in the direction of the pasture of Marmontana, located under the hill of the same name. The climb to Colle di Marmontana becomes steep, but don't despair because up there… read more

The time has come to immerse yourself completely in the Walser culture and discover the main characteristics of this people, so fasten your boots, close your backpack and off you go!



Before taking the mule track to Colle Lazouney, take a quarter of an hour and get lost in the alleys of Gruba and Niel… read more

Leave Gressoney-Saint-Jean behind, cross the bridge over the Lys stream and continue in the direction of Alpenzu Grande.



Among the stone and wooden houses of Alpenzu Grande you can breathe again the Walser atmosphere and traditions and immerse yourself completely in them. From this place you have an enchanting… read more

Leave Crest and take the dirt road that leads to the small village of Soussun passing through lush coniferous forests.



The almost flat path leads you to Alpe Ciarcerio, where the funicular from Frachey di Champoluc arrives. In this place, as for the rest of the day, the Monte Rosa massif is majestic… read more

Leave the Grand Tournalin Refuge and take the path that leads to the Col de Nannaz at 2,772 meters above sea level. The route is a succession of pastures, rocky crags and grassy steps.



Step by step, you are on the Col des Fontaines, a truly enchanting pass! Here I recommend that you take a break for a… read more

The ninth stage can be defined as a "cool down", because it is very short, although it still requires a fair amount of effort from the point of view of the altitude difference.



Take path number 6, the same that leads to the start of the Gorbeillon ferrata, which runs through the woods and reaches the… read more

After a day almost entirely of relaxation, the time has come to use the stored energies; take your backpack, let's go!



Proceed in the direction of the two hamlets of Cortina, Superiore and Inferiore, and from there go up to the Fenêtre d'Ersaz hill, from where you have a surprising view of the Matterhorn… read more

Say goodbye to the Cunéy Oratory Refuge and head towards the Col de Chaleby. As you gain altitude, the path becomes more and more rocky, with steps, runs along a lake and reaches the 2,653 meters of altitude of the pass.



A slight descent takes you to the basin where there is another alpine lake. Head… read more

After stocking up on Fontina for the trip, follow the path that climbs up through the meadows, enters the coniferous forest and continues towards the Suchéaz mountain pasture.



Pasture after pasture, the climb becomes more and more sustained until it reaches the Col de Brison, 2,480 meters above sea level… read more

The thirteenth stage is short, but certainly challenging. Leave Ollomont behind and head towards the coniferous forest.



Today's route is characterized by a steep slope and by the presence of several mountain pastures. Leaving the forest you can see jagged peaks in the distance, the bright white of the… read more

From the Létey Champillon Refuge, head towards the Col de Champillon. The day begins in a great way, with a steep climb, which immediately reactivates all muscles and circulation. At the pass, however, the effort is rewarded with a beautiful view of the Grand Combin.



I recommend that you help yourself… read more

Say goodbye to Saint-Rhémy and cross the Gran San Bernardo stream. The trail climbs up the slopes of the mountains through numerous hamlets.



Under the slopes of Tête de Crevacol are the small stone huts of Merdeux, used by shepherds in the summer months. The valley is wide, very sunny; with increasing… read more

Today's stage leads you straight away to a very iconic place: the Col de Malatrà. Backpack on your shoulder and embark on this first ascent to one of the most significant passes of the Tor des Géants, the most famous ultra-trail race in Italy and one of the most important in the world.



The pass is located… read more

Here you are at the last stage of the Alta Via della Valle d'Aosta 1: a long, demanding, nothing short of breathtaking journey. Even today there will be surprising views, so no more chatter, boots on your feet and off you go!



The path descends slightly and leads you first to the Sécheron mountain pasture… read more