Official website for tourism in the Aosta Valley
Created at the beginning of the nineties, the nature reserves of the Aosta Valley protect often rare or endangered animal and plant species, their habitats and geological, geomorphological and speleological formations of particular historical, scientific and cultural value.
A site of archaeological and naturalistic interest
This particularly interesting area from a geomorphological and archaeological point of view, the hillock with steep slopes and a flat peak is located to the North-East of Aosta and it is also known locally as “Quota B.P.” (from Baden-Powell, scout founder).
A late Neolithic settlement, dating back to 3000 B.C. was situated at the top of the hill.
The nature reserve extends across 14 hectares at an altitude between 720 - 796 meters and offers typical sceneries of low mountain slopes with southern exposure.
The area is an excellent point for birdwatching during the migratory periods, especially for some birds of prey and corvidae. The reserve is also home to some mammals, reptiles and various invertebrate species.
The area’s climate promotes typically xerophile plant species mainly downy oaks and plants of steppe origin.
This conditions make the reserve’s visit possible all year round, with preference for spring and autumn.
How to get there
From the exit Aosta Est of the A5 motorway, take the national road 26 towards the town. At the second roundabout turn right towards Porossan and go on until the Serod hamlet. Continue following the signs to Saint-Christophe until reaching the little parking at the reserve’s entry.
A glacier lake in a basin, a mosaic of plant species
The small Lolair Lake, 1,175 meters above sea level, is fed by three springs and surrounded by an extensive cane field, roche moutonnée and gentle, rolling hills of glacier origin. The lake is home to a large planktonic population, whose only equal in the region is Lozon, and vegetation of significant worth.
Flora
The pond hosts numerous floating species like the Floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and Aquatic bladderwort (Utricularia australis). Near the shores and channels grow buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and, along the brooks, rich populations of Yellow Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Water Avens (Geum rivale). The dry Western slope is characterised by xerophile vegetation with Savin Juniper (Juniperus sabina), flowering Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) and, in the long abandoned fields, the main alpine station of the rare Pennsylvania cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica).
Fauna
It is easy to glimpse a Golden eagle, Goshawk or Buzzard on the rocky cliffs and, around the lake, typically aquatic birds like wild ducks, that nest here, and gallinules.
In and around the pond live amphibians and reptiles like the common toad (Bufo bufo) and grassa snake (Natrix natrix) while the lake waters are populated by tenches, invertebrates and numerous insect families.
How to get there
Driving on the regional road 26 from Arvier to Courmayeur, turn left following the signs for Leverogne - Valgrisenche and go on until you reach La Ravoire hamlet.
Some paths also start in the Baise Pierre hamlet.
August 2, 2024: paths 14 and 15 are interrupted and unusable.
Beautiful blooms in the peace of a wild environment
This regional reserve was established in 2013 and is located entirely within the territory of the municipality of Bionaz. It covers an area of over 1,100 hectares that extends from the valley floor at 1,573 meters altitude to the Becca-des-Arbyères at 3,321 meters.
Located on the left side of Buthier creek, the valley offers visitors the typical landscapes of alpine and subalpine environments, with a prevalence of mixed forests of larch and spruce trees; from the confluence with the Montagnayes creek to the border with Oyace are “wooded cliffs”, an interesting zone where silver firs appear, unusual for this environment.
Moving up to the ridges, the woods give way to dwarf bushes, pastures and alpine meadows with rare species of flora for all the Alps and the region.
A wildlife protection oasis in the past, the reserve is home to chamois, ibex, deer and roe deer, hares and marmots, predators such as foxes, badgers, martens, weasels and birds of prey such as the golden eagle and the pygmy owl. Also amphibians, reptiles and many butterflies inhabit this rich and unspoiled natural environment.
Summer is the best time to visit the reserve and admire beautiful blooms (gentian acaule, Turk’s cap lily, rhododendron crowberry and other alpine flowers) immersed in the peace of a wild environment. Especially in September and October, when the fir and larch woods are tinged with the colors of autumn days, a hike in the valley of Montagnayes offers exceptional views.
During the winter, however, a thick blanket of snow and the danger of avalanches make this area inaccessible and its use discouraged.
How to get there
From Aosta, take SS 27 Great Saint Bernard to the Variney junction and then get on regional road 28 up to Bionaz, from where you will continue heading toward lake Place Moulin until you get to the village of Ferrère and park your car.
The tours to the pasture of Arp-Damon (1h30 - trail 15) and Bivouac Chentre-Bionaz (3h - trail 14) start from Ferrère.
At the bottom of the central valley, a highly interesting ecological habitat
Location: on the Dora Baltea river, at Brissogne municipality.
The nature reserve extends across 35.4 hectares at an altitude between 526 - 532 meters.
The riparian mid-central valley environment, located in an area formerly occupied by a bend in the Dora Baltea river, is characterised by two quarry lakes with mainly naturally re-populated shores.
The reserve is the most important regional stop over and feeding ground for migratory birds. Many species also nest here. The reserve is home to amphibians, reptiles and, in the lake waters, tenches and pikes.
The vegetation, representative of the ancient riparian landscape now receded from almost the entire valley, is made up of marsh cane, reeds, sedge and a few prominent plants such as the Dwarf bulrush.
How to get there
From Aosta, follow State road 26 towards Turin and turn right at the Brissogne bridge. Go on walking along the Dora Baltea river, until you’ll reach the reserve entry, indicated by an explanatory board.
A glacial lake, with water from the subsoil, a niche of interesting species
The Lake Villa nature reserve was established in 1982 and covers 25 hectares at altitudes between 810 and 980 meters.
An oasis of peace where you can listen to the sounds of nature and admire the surrounding mountains. It is interesting to visit it in every season, to admire the colors of the changing leaves, as well as the plant and animal species that inhabit it.
Here is some information on the protected area:
It may be interesting to combine a visit to Lake Villa with a walk along path 11 which connects Lake Villa to Col d'Arlaz (along stage 6 of the Cammino Balteo trail, Challand-Saint-Victor - Saint-Vincent path) to discover the artistic path with works created using natural materials.
Accessibility
The lake site can be reached by everyone, even by people with disabilities: in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the path that leads to the lake, there is in fact a parking lot for the disabled and the road surface has been completely paved, to also allow wheelchairs to move comfortably .
How to get there
The municipal road which leads to the site is well indicated at the junction, along the regional road 45 of the Ayas Valley, after the village of Challand-Saint-Victor (a signboard indicates “Natural Reserve of Lake Villa”). 2,5 km after this junction, you will reach a small parking located directly on the side of the road. There you will find a signboard with the description of the site and its principal trails.
An Alpine environment offering a great wealth of flora and fauna
The Mont Mars nature reserve was established in 1994. It covers 300 hectares and is located at the head of the Pacoulla stream valley. Follow the farm road from the Pillaz hamlet to the Vargno alp to reach the edge of the reserve. Continue following the paved path marked with a black 2 on a round yellow sign: this is the main path, that crosses the entire reserve from West to East and leads to Col de la Balma (2,259 m) and further to the Oropa Sanctuary in the Biella region.
Geology: glacier origin morphology is prevalent, especially the series of terraced rock basins which currently host small lake and marsh basins. Modest remains of the ancient glacier that occupied the valley until 10,000 years ago are found in the snowfield in the small circle at the foot of the North face of Mont Mars. The dominating rocks are mica schist with white marble stripes and dark basic rocks.
Flora: the vast larch forests are dotted with bushy areas (rhododendron, blueberries, juniper). Higher up are discontinuous fields due to the widespread rocky areas where you can find purple gentian, arnica and nigritella. Doronicum austriacum, rare in Valle d’Aosta, can be found among the rocks. Mountain lilium and alpine betony grow on the sunny cliffs. The bottom of the dry fields beautifully contrast with the wetlands in the Leilong basin where floating reeds and aquatic buttercups thrive.
Fauna: the reserve includes species typical of subalpine, alpine and river plains. In the wetlands and lakes you may catch a glimpse of the grass frog, the char, and the white-throated dipper. Alpine fields and prairies are home to the common grass snake, the crow, the rock pipet, the black redstart, the cuckoo, the woodchuck, the chamois, the hare and the fox. The Ptarmigan and the alpine finch (typical of river valleys) are found on Mont Mars’ Northern face. The reserve is a Golden eagle hunting ground.
How to get to the reserve
From Pont-Saint-Martin follow the signs for Gressoney taking the regional road n. 44.
Once in Fontainemore, after about 1 km, turn right crossing the bridge over the Lys stream and go up the left side for 11 km until you reach Pian Coumarial, where you can park your car and continue on foot.
Moulded into a curious shape by the glaciers, a habitat wrapped by sunshine
The elongated spur - the “côte” - originating from deposits of a glacial origin, is one of the most significant elements of this nature reserve, which owes its name to a legend according to which the côte is the little finger of the giant Gargantua, a character invented by Rabelais, buried under a blanket of debris.
An ancient story that accompanies those of the many animal and plant species that live in this typical example of a steppe environment, characterized by grassy-rocky sides and slopes, an arid area with strong sunlight.
Flora
Among the most representative species of the floristic world are the “Artemisia vallesiaca”, a rare aromatic plant and the “Telephium imperati”, of Mediterranean origin.
Fauna
The reserve is an ideal environment for small rodents, birds of prey, passerines, invertebrates and reptiles such as the wall lizard, the green lizard and the rat snake. The entomofauna is particularly rich; in fact, there are numerous species of lepidoptera and beetles typical of arid environments. Thanks to its excellent exposure, the reserve can be visited safely even in the winter months; however, spring and autumn are still the best seasons to enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful colors.
How to Get There
Coming by car from the city center of Aosta, the Côte de Gargantua is clearly visible from the Envers road (road connecting the municipalities of the talweg located on the orographic right side of the Dora Baltea). At the Pont-Suaz roundabout, take the number 20 regional road towards “Gressan - Jovençan - Cogne”. The itineraries that lead to the discovery of the reserve start from different points, but given the limited availability of parking spaces in the small parking lots in the hamlets, it is advisable to leave the car in the areas belonging to the Municipality of Gressan, located on the left side of the road.
By bus: line 5 is available: Aosta - Aymavilles (Gressan town hall stop)
An interesting habitat, a resting place for migratory birds after high altitude journeys
The site, consisting of a short stretch of the Dora Baltea river and its alluvial plain, is located at a height of 890 meters between the villages of La Salle and Morgex and has a typical vegetation of water-rich environments. On the left bank of the river lies a path of approximately 250 m in brushed concrete, as well as a 220 m walkway in the forest on a catwalk in chestnut.
Flora: the banks of the dam are thick with reeds, while at some distance from the water arise alders, willows, poplars. Among the flowers, you can find the yellow buttercup.
Fauna: this area is a stop over for migratory birds linked to wet environments; mallards, moorhens and marsh warblers nest here.
Visit: The best period to visit the Reserve is during the migratory seasons of spring and autumn, not only for the sighting of the ornithological fauna but also for the luxuriance of its woods’ undergrowth.
The visit can start on the left bank, entering from the S.S. 26 state road. Here, a sign with the site plan supplies varied information to welcome the visitor. The shore can be reached in few minutes and from the equipped shed, it is possible to observe the fauna halting over the flooding waters. A well-marked pedestrian path directs the visitor towards an elevated footbridge which crosses the hygrophilous forest until it reaches a small islet at the site’s exit, rich in plant species in full activity. The same path is used for the return.
Scientific and naturalistic research centre
Operational headquarters of the “Regional Museum of Natural Sciences Efisio Noussan” of Saint-Pierre, the centre of scientific and naturalistic research is in the immediate vicinity of the natural reserve of the Marais. The Centre is responsible for the management and maintenance of the collections and the library, the activity of scientific research and teaching.
In the museum labs research projects in various areas are developed and promoted, from the study and conservation of the natural and agricultural biodiversity, enhancement of museum collections, as well as educational and training projects.
The library has over 6000 books, from naturalistic texts to scientific and information journals published by universities, scientific and environmental associations, Italian and foreign museums, obtained primarily in exchange with the “Revue Valdôtaine d’Histoire Naturelle”, published by the Société de la Flore Valdôtaine.
A small lakeside basin, the precious habitat of rare species
Established in 1994, this nature reserve covers 1.5 hectares. It is located at an altitude of 750 - 790 meters in the municipality of Pont-Saint-Martin, near the Suzey castle.
Flora: the wetlands include marsh reeds and broadleaf cattail. Additionally, it is the only known station in Aosta Valley of spatulaleaf loosestrife.
Fauna: considering the small size of the reserve, it only includes some rare amphibian species of which two newt species.
How to get there
From Pont-Saint-Martin village centre take the regional road towards Gressoney, turning on the right when you find the sign for the Ivery hamlet ; then continue until joining the Holay village.
A concentration of natural processes in a very rich habitat
An old pond rapidly drying out located on a glacier terrace in the heart of a sunny and dry climate zone.
The lake is home to a rich zooplankton population, numerous invertebrates including different species of dragonflies and amphibians such as the common toad and the brown frog. In the reserve there are more than fifteen different plant associations and almost seventy species typical of wetlands and aquatic environments, some rare or unique to the Valle d’Aosta.
The nature reserve is one of the European ecological network Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
How to get there
From Aosta, take the national road 26 towards Turin. In Chambave, follow the signs for Verrayes and Loson.
