Motorcycle routes

From Pont-Saint-Martin, after admiring its ancient Roman bridge, travel along the valley floor to Châtillon from where you will then climb along the Matterhorn Valley. At Antey-Saint-André you will find the crossroads for Torgnon. From Torgnon you will then pass the panoramic pass of San Pantaleone (Saint-Pantaléon) from which you can reach Verrayes by choosing between two different routes: passing through Lozon (nature reserve) or through Semon (municipality of Saint-Denis). From Verrayes you reach the valley floor again and arrive at Nus from which you climb towards Saint-Barthélemy where another exceptional panorama opens up. The route ends with the descent towards Nus.

TORGNON: RURAL ARCHITECTURE AND PANORAMA
Torgnon lies in the heart of those who visit it not only because of its privileged location, in the middle of the valley of the Matterhorn, at an altitude of 1489 m, but also for its numerous hamlets which retain their characteristic Alpine architecture. Among these the hamlets of Etirol and Triatel, whose buildings host the ethnographic museum Petit-Monde about the history of the area, its production cycle and its social organisation, stand out.
The view from the Saint-Pantaléon pass is definitely stunning and the gaze takes in the whole Valtournenche valley, encircled by the Grandes Murailles and the Matterhorn, and the Central Valley.

SAINT-BARTHELEMY, TO THE STARS
The Saint-Barthélemy Valley, initially tortuous and very steep, in the Lignan area at 1,633 meters above sea level, opens up into a vast plateau from which you can admire a splendid panorama. The astronomical observatory of Saint-Barthélemy, very important for scientific research, is one of the most suitable places for astronomical observations, thanks to favourable conditions, mainly due to low light pollution.
Excellent local wines are produced in the municipality of Nus: Nus Rouge and the aromatic Malvoisie, an enological preciousness produced from dried grapes.

MOTORCYCLE ITINERARY TO THE CASTLES OF THE LOWER AOSTA VALLEY

Riding the motorbike, start from Pont-Saint-Martin: the terraced vineyards accompany you up to Donnas.
You will then see the proud silhouette of the Bard fort stand out, an ancientbulwark of defense strategically located in the narrowest point of the central valley. Over the centuries it suffered numerous assaults, up until the decisive one by Napoleon's army, which besieged and destroyed it in 1800. It was rebuilt by the Savoys in 1827. The museums and important temporary exhibitions of the Fort are worth a stop.

Continuing on, after about ten kilometers (6 miles) you come across another imposing structure: the fifteenth-century Challand castle in Verrès open to visits.

And then, on the way back, don't miss the castle of Issogne, a magnificent  Renaissance manor.

A tasty stop is also possible in Arnad, home to the production of Lardo di Arnad P.O.D.  and in the wineries of Arnad and Donnas.

PILA, PANORAMA TO REMEMBER
Pila offers a view over the highest peaks of the Alps, from the Mont Blanc to the Grand Combin, from the Matterhorn to the Monte Rosa. Plus, this town dominates the city of Aosta: a truly stunning position!
The architecture of the ski resort: built during the 1970s, the big complex which includes both houses and hotels was realised by taking inspiration from the architectural and town planning canons of the French Alpine resorts. It was modelled keeping in mind the orography, the landscape, the shapes and the colours of the hamlet.

CAVE DES ONZE COMMUNES, P.D.O. [Protected Designation of Origin] QUALITY
In spring and summer bright and intense green, in autumn browns and reds… It is always a spectacle to cross the Aosta plain, among the vineyards of the most extensive wine-growing.districts in the region. Here illustrious P.D.O.red wines are produced -- Torrette, Fumin, Petit Rouge, Pinot Noir and Gamay -- in addition to a rich range of whites, among them Chardonnay, and grappa. So reserve a spot for a bottle, in the motorcycle hard luggage, and in Aymavilles take a break at Cave des Onze Communes.

COGNE, PEARL OF THE GRAN PARADISO
Lying right In the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Cogne overlooks the large Sant’Orso meadow, one of the largest Alpine grassland in Europe. It is situated at 1.544 metres of altitude and its highest peak, with its 4.061 metres, is the Gran Paradiso, the only four-thousand-metre peak which is completely in the Italian territory. Once famous for its iron mining industry, today Cogne is a “Pearl of the Alps”, particularly appreciated for having been able to develop a tourism of quality, safeguarding its natural heritage.

The apple, the authentic flavor of the Aosta Valley
You inhale an intense and intoxicating perfume, in these parts. It’s the scent of the apple, true queen of the central valley. Across the region 4,400 tons are produced every year, but the highest concentration of orchards is right here, between Saint-Pierre and Villeneuve, in the basin that spans to reach the Val di Rhêmes. So don’t pass through in a hurry… Stop at “Cofruits” co-operative outlet. It’s the right place if you want to go home with a sweet memory in your hard luggage: From dried apples, a charge of energy and flavor, to the Martin Sec, the trademark pears that become truly superb when candied or cooked in wine.

Rhêmes-Notre-Dame
Upon arriving up here is a magnificent sight. You find yourself in a broad green basin, in a beautiful and evocative village. All around you, other than houses and the ancient church, only pastures and coniferous forests. It’s the ideal destination if you dream of a different kind of day, far from the busiest locations and streets. A plate of steaming polenta, a nice rest on the grass… A corner of paradise that remains in the hearts of those who love nature and real mountains.

Tra vigneti e meleti percorrete un tratto della valle centrale e poi imboccate una delle valli più suggestive e selvagge della Valle d'Aosta: la Valgrisenche. Lungo il percorso borghi e castelli medievali invitano alla sosta.

SAINT-PIERRE
Lo scenario è reso fiabesco dal castello che dall’alto della sua rocca domina il paesaggio e risulta ben visibile anche di notte grazie ad un suggestivo sistema di illuminazione. Al suo interno, il museo regionale di scienze naturali per un viaggio alla scoperta di ambienti naturali, flora e fauna della Valle d’Aosta. Ma a Saint-Pierre c' è anche un secondo castello: Sarriod de la Tour, immerso in un meleto, conserva nella meravigliosa “sala delle teste” un prezioso soffitto ligneo della fine del 1400, decorato con figure antropomorfe, mostri, insetti ed animali.

ARVIER E LEVEROGNE
In una conca coltivata a vigneti, Arvier testimonia la caparbietà nell’utilizzare tutta la terra disponibile innalzando nei secoli i terrazzamenti posti sul versante più assolato. Proprio qui si produce il famoso vino rosso Enfer d’Arvier, uno dei primi vini valdostani ad ottenere la denominazione D.O.C..
Attraverserete il borgo medievale di Leverogne e poi, imboccando la strada per la Valgrisenche, potrete vedere il santuario di Rochefort e più avanti sulla sinistra i ruderi del castello di Montmayeur.

LA VALGRISENCHE E LA TRADIZIONE DEI DRAPS
Occhi aperti per non farvi sfuggire nulla, in un viaggio affascinante attraverso la storia, la tradizione e un ambiente suggestivo. La strada sale lungo lo stretto fondovalle, fino a Planaval. Poi la prima piacevole sorpresa: la vallata si apre all’improvviso, dominata sullo sfondo dalla vetta della Grande Sassière e, a destra, dalla Testa del Rutor. Di qui in avanti il percorso risale dolcemente il vasto pianoro fino al capoluogo, Valgrisenche, caratteristico borgo di origini medievali, con il suo campanile romanico. Poco oltre il paese, il lago di Beauregard, annunciato dall'imponente diga. Il luogo ideale per rilassarvi, tra il verde intenso dei boschi di conifere e l’argento della cresta che segna lo spartiacque con la Val d’lsère.
Le nevicate, un tempo, isolavano la valle e le possibilità economiche non erano granché. E così bisognava ingegnarsi, produrre tessuti caldi, pratici e, soprattutto, resistenti. Ecco i famosi Draps della Valgrisenche, realizzati in lana di pecora sugli antichi telai, i métiers. In origine, per renderli impermeabili, venivano fatti infeltrire immergendoli ripetutamente in acqua fredda e battendoli con spazzole di legno. I tempi sono cambiati, ma la tradizione dei Draps, in questa valle, è rimasta. Coperte, tovaglie, indumenti, scialli, rivestimenti per divani e poltrone… ancora oggi vengono realizzati su telai costruiti sull’antico modello. Tessuti esclusivi, che potete ammirare nella mostra permanente nel capoluogo di Valgrisenche.

Valsavarenche
Introd derives its name from “entre les eaux” [“between the waters”]. The town, in fact, is located in an excellent position on a plateau that overlooks on one side the Dora di Rhêmes river, and on the other, the Savara and Dora di Valsavarenche rivers. Here you can visit the local history museum Maison Bruil and the castle that probably dates back to the 12th century or admire a beautiful example of typical rural construction, the ancient Ola farmstead.
From Introd the road goes up through Valsavarenche ending at the basin of the imposing Gran Paradiso group of mountains, which boasts the unique all-Italian “Alpine Four-thousanders”. Another valley particularly dear to King Vittorio Emanuele Il, among the preferred destinations for his memorable hunting expeditions.

Gran Paradiso National Park
In 1919 the Savoy granted their ancient hunting reserve to the State, in between Piedmont and Aosta Valley, which three years later became the first Italian national park. Here the ibex, the chamois, the Golden Eagle, and the marmot reign… Just a bit of patience and attention in observing the hillsides and coniferous forests, and it will not be difficult to identify any of the intriguing “inhabitants” of the Park.

VERRES CASTLE
An obligatory stop, before facing the return to Val d’Ayas. You can leave your bike in convenient parking and on foot, in just a few minutes you can reach the top of the Verrès fortress, from where the castle, sober and majestic, dominates the lower central valley. Magnificent example of military architecture, built by the Challands at the end of the 14th century.

SAINT-VINCENT CASINO
Why resist a small temptation? Before heading to Pont-Saint-Martin, allow yourself the satisfaction of a betting game at the Saint-Vincent Casino, among the largest and most prestigious in Europe. With motorcycle attire you can access the American Games, for the French Games, however, a jacket and tie are required; these can be easily rented at the entrance.