Walking in the Valle D’aosta

Walking in the Valle d’Aostayou wind you way upwards into spectacular views
Walking in Italian Alps can be an extremely rewardingdown the valley. I walked as the sun was rising which
prospect for a number of reasons, not least themade the walk all the more impressive. The route is
food at the end of a long days walk. The summerclearly marked so navigation is not an issue; however
climate is excellent for walking, especially for thosethis is a walk for people who like a challenge rather
who don’t mind rising a little earlier. There arethan those looking for a long days walk. The walk
also a huge variety of paths which can cater for alltakes around one and a half hours in total but could
tastes. This is made even better due to the factbe completed quicker depending on fitness levels.
that the least demanding paths are very well markedOnce at Pavillon (the refuge and cable car base) I
for family walks and because most Italians stick towould advise staying for food at the restaurant
these main routes those who are seeking a bit morefollowed by a rest out on the sun loungers. You can
of a challenge don’t have to look hard. Walking isthen either take the cable car up (to Ponte
also a major past time in Italy compared with BritainHelbronner 3450m, viewing platform) or down to Praz
probably because of the reasons mentioned whichDele (1381m) where there is a bus stop, café and
means that most paths usually have people on thena number of bars. Although at first this seems like a
to help guide the way if needed. Lastly Italy likeshort walk the rewards are massive the views alone
much of the Alps often has rifugi at the top of hills,are worth the effort, however there is the added
not unlike Snowdon in Wales. However unlikebenefit of other members of you group being able to
Snowdon these rifugi are not in the main touristtake the cable car up to meet you. This is especially
attractions selling over priced sandwiches and rubbers.useful if you are with children.
Rather they are often run as B&B’s, restaurantsCourmayeur to Val Ferret (Level Moderate with the
or both selling almost always local food and drink.potential for Hard)
They are either owned by the Italian Alpine ClubThis walk is best started in the centre of
(Club Alpino Italiano or CAI) or privately owned andCourmayeur, especially as you have access to some
run. Either way they are a very welcome presenceexcellent bars open early for coffee, most notably
for both day hikers and trail walkers. From my ownBar Centro which can be found at the bottom of the
experience they are also a very enjoyable way tohigh street. After this you head up the high street to
spend an afternoon eating excellent, reasonablythe Guida Alpina (local guide’s office) located
priced food followed by coffee and a grappa.next the recently renovated church. From here you
It is because of this potential that I have foundhead for the small village of Villair along the Tour de
myself on a number of occasions walking in theMont Blanc (TMB) route, which begins with a forest
Italian Alps and within the article I hope to show thattrack. After crossing a bridge you head upwards on a
whilst Monte Bianco offers a great deal forsteep track (this is the most challenging part) for
mountaineers the Alps has just as much to offer foraround 2 hours if with non walkers. Although the top
a whole variety of walkers. I have found it easiest tois some 1989 meters you actually only climb around
base myself in Courmayeur because although it is700 from Courmayeur. On the day I walked up a
more expensive than Morgex and Aosta locatedfamily were walking up with children as young as 6 or
further down the valle it has unrivalled access to the7. It can easily be done with a day pack in under an
best routes. I have chosen three walks with the aimhour, as I reached the top in just over 50 minutes.
to provide something for everyone from families toAt the top you will reach the Refuge di Bertone a
advanced hill walkers. For all of the walks, hikersfamily run refuge which sells excellent food and drink.
would be advised to purchase the Mont Blanc/The refuge is also home to some of the most
Courmayeur/ Chamonix/ La Thuile 1:25,000 mapsspectacular views in the low Alps and is well worth
made by the Istituto Geografico Centrale. Whilst allthe walk. From this point you have two choices,
European maps lack the detail of British OS orfirstly for families you can return downwards into Val
Harvey maps this is the closest I have found to theFerret along the route marked 31. This route is very
British equivalent.gentle and leads you down eventually to Planpincieux
La Palud to Pavillon (Hard)where you will find a restaurant and a regular bus
Although this walk is very short it is definitely aservice (every 15 minutes) to take you back to
challenge, made all the better because of theCourmayeur. The other option is to continue to the
wonderful restaurant at the end. The main difficultytop of Mont de la Saxe (2345m), which is around a
with this is the sheer steepness, as the walk is only30 minute walk from the refuge. You then continue
around 2km long but climbs 1000m. From Courmayeurwalking along the TMB route and descend steeply to
take the bus to Coudrey (just up the valley) or ifthe Col Sapin (2435m). From here you continue down
you have a car there is a car park in La Palud. Theand then follow the Torrent D’Arminaz along
first part of the walk is through the village and thenrout 29 down to the valley. This takes around an
moves into forest track which is extremely steep. Ifhour and a half and is much more demanding than
you have any issues with joints take walking sticksthe first option but well worth it for experienced
as I struggled without mine. Once out of the forestwalkers.