Picnic areas in the Aosta Valley

VEGETATION
Mixed conifer (Red Spruce and Larch) and broad-leaved trees (Chestnut, Ash, Cherry, Oak, Birch and Lime) woodland. Undergrowth composed of Dog Rose and Berberis.

HOW TO GET THERE
It can be reached by taking the regional road linking Avise with Saint- Nicolas.

AREA PANORAMA
From the area you can see: to the North-West the Mount Blanc chain, to the South-West the Paramont range to the South the Tour Ronde and Mount Colombo, and to the South-East Mount Grivola.

EXCURSIONS
• By taking the path leaving the area you arrive to the Frenay river waterfall.

VEGETATION
Mature, mainly Scotch Pine forest; tables with benches in Larch and Red Spruce. Juniper undergrowth.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by taking the Valpelline regional road to the Lexert district.

AREA PANORAMA
To the East you can see Dent d’Herens, the Tza de Tzan glacier, Becca de Luseney and Les Grandes Murailles; to the West Vessona Valley, while to the North the Morion mountain chain and Colle Crête Sèche that leads to the Otemma glacier.

EXCURSIONS
• Take the private road that winds along the river to the right in the village of Rûz, you arrive near the Alpe Primo from where you can reach the Berrier pasture. Continuing onwards, you reach the Crète Sèche Refuge with the steep Aroletta chain behind it.

VEGETATION
Woodland mainly composed of Larch with a gree Alder maquis. Undergrowth composed of Rhododendrons and Blueberry.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by reaching the Valtournenche regional road near the town of Breuil.

AREA PANORAMA
Towars the West you can admire the Grandes Murailles mountain chain, while to the North the impressive “La Gran Becca”: Mount Cervin.

EXCURSIONS
• From the area you can climb a short path to the town of Cielo Alto; or, for those of you in search of longer routes, you can reachl Bec del Merlo or Goillet Lake.

VEGETATION
Larch wood with Red Spruce, Scotch Pine and broad-leaved trees (Green Alder, Goat Willow and Sorbus belonging to bird catchers).

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by taking the Valle d’Ayas regional road after passing Vollon village.

AREA PANORAMA
Turning South, in the East you can see Mont Nery, Becca Meriú, Becca Torché, Becca di Viou and Punta Comagne, to the West Mont Pareil and to the North Fornolle Valley.

EXCURSIONS
• Crossing the Evançon River and travelling towards Rû Courtaud you arrive to Col di Joux.
• Continuing upstream to an equipped area you reach Extrepieraz town.
• You can reach Salomon village in the direction of Corno Bussola.

Paid access, with services, only in the summer period
Dogs are allowed

VEGETATION
Mixed Larch and Red Spruce woodland. Undergrowth composed of Juniper, Rhododendron and Goat Willow.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can only arrive using the cableway that departs from the Buisson district in the Municipality of Antey-St-André, since access to vehicles is not allowed in the Municipality of Chamois.

AREA PANORAMA
From the area in the East you can see Mount Fontané and Grand Dent, to the West Punta Fontanella, to the South Punta Tersiva and Becca di Luseney, to the North Petite and Grande Muraille and the Château des Dames.

EXCURSIONS
• On reaching Clavalité Sanctuary you can climb to Punta Falinère.
• Instead, on the way down in the direction of the Cheneil district, you can go back up to Col di Nana.

VEGETATION
Mixed woodland consisting of Larch and Red Spruce. Undergrowth: Rhododendrons and Juniper.

HOW TO GET THERE
You take the local road which leads from the centre of Antagnod to Barmasc.

PANORAMAS
Opposite you, you can see the Corno Bussola and the Corno Vitello and if you look northwards you can enjoy a marvellous view of the Monte Rosa range.

WALKS
• From the service area you can make your way to Colle Portola and Mount Zerbion or you can take a quiet walk along the Rû Courtod which flows a short way above the service area itself. You can also make your way down to the village of Antagnod along an easy mule-track.

VEGETATION
Thriving woodland, almost all Red Spruce with sporadic Larch specimens. Undergrowth composed of Juniper, Heather, Berberis and Blueberry.

LOCATION
It can be reached by taking the regional road in Valle d’Ayas, after passing the town of Champoluc.

AREA PANORAMA
The area, located at the end of the valley, provides views to the South-East of Becca Piure, to the South Mount Zerbion, to the North Rocca di Verra, Breithorn and Rocce Nere.

EXCURSIONS
• Using the cableways you can arrive to Crest from where you can admire Mount Testa Grigia and reach the village of Cunéaz, a typical mountain settlement, as well as Lakes Pinter and Perrin.
• By crossing the River Evançon near the Frachey district you can arrive to Tournalin valley and Colle di Nana.
• The town of Saint-Jacques is the departure point for ascents to the Mount Rosa range via Verra Valley; it is also possible, departing from the same town, to reach Colle delle Cime Bianche.

VEGETATION
Mature woodland composed mainly of Larch and Red Spruce trees.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by taking the Valle di Champorcher regional road, passing Castello town until you reach the Chardonney district.

AREA PANORAMA
This final part of the valley is enclosed among Tête des Hommes, Mount Glacier, Mount Déla, Tour Ponton, Rosa dei Banchi and Bec Laris located one after another in an East-West direction.

EXCURSIONS
• The Chardonney district is the departure point of the Alta Via no. 2 which leads to Cogne Valley.
• Moving upwards to the valley peak, you arrive to the Dondena Refuge, in the locality of the same name, and continue onwards until you reach Lake Miserin Refuge and Sanctuary.
• On reaching, via the public road, the Mont Blanc district, you arrive in an area with various path departure points that cover the land around Mount Avic Regional Park.

VEGETATION
Wood mainly composed of Larch mixed with Red Spruce and Swiss Stone Pine. Undergrowth composed of Juniper and Berberis.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by travelling in the direction of Lillaz Valley, after Cogne town.

AREA PANORAMA
From the area you can see Val Valeille to the South, Mount Penne Blanche to the North and to the East Urtier Valley with the relative waterfalls in Lillaz.

EXCURSIONS
• From the Lillaz district, follow the path that rises to the left of the river in the Urtier Valley to reach the rocky drop, the origin of the Lillaz waterfalls; continuing onwards you arrive to the small village of Goille and from here climb along the valley to reach the Bardoney valley and mountain pasture.

VEGETATION
Sparse and irregular, mature woodland dominated by Larch, Red Spruce and broad-leaved trees. Undergrowth composed of Juniper, Elderberry, Goat Willow and Dog Rose.

HOW TO GET THERE
You can arrive by taking the Val Veny regional road on the left of the valley.

AREA PANORAMA
From the area you can admire Mount Blanc to the East, to the North Les Grandes Jorasses, Aiguille Noire, Dames Anglaises and Dente del Gigante, to the West the Miage and Brouillard glaciers, while Tête de Chécrouit, Punta Youla and Mont Chétif are located to the South.

EXCURSIONS
• Arrive to the Combal district and follow the path leading to Mount Fortin and Col des Chavannes; or go in the direction of Combal Lake to reach Le Baite in the lower Arp Alps and then reach Mount Favre.
• From the Elisabetta refuge you can climb to Col de la Seigne, by following the Tour of Mount Blanc track.