Sport Itineraries: La Magdeleine

From Artaz, in the municipality of La Magdeleine, take route 3, which cuts across and runs along several sections of the private road to Croux, and leads to the pasture of Layé. Continue along the same itinerary, and after crossing lakes Croux and Grande Puine, you come to Alpe Pilaz and the hill of the same name. At the hill it is possible to have a stop and a pic-nic. Don’t miss a picture on the big bench, the first in Aosta Valley and the n° 125 of the “Big Bench Community Project”. Continue to the right on dirt track 2, until you come to Alpe Champlong and then take the path on the right that goes up, after joining itinerary 5 from Chamois, and soon leads to Col Pillonet.

From Artaz, in the municipality of La Magdeleine, take itinerary 4 some sections of which on the path and others on the private road, until you come to the hamlet of Novales. Continue to the right, first on the dirt track and then on the path, to reach Alpe Champcellier Damon. Ignore itinerary 6 which leads to Col Portola, then continue left towards the meadows along traces of the path, until you come to the crest. Follow this to the summit of Mont Tantané. (exposed trail).

Mount Zerbion is a marvellous destination, especially thanks to its wonderful panorama. From the peak you get a breathtaking view of the whole of Val d’Aosta and its main mountain ranges.
From Artaz take the dirt track until the start of the path. After a few dozen metres, take the trail on the left that rises up into the woods and leads to Praz Carral and Champcellier Damon. From here, ignoring the trail that leads to Mont Tantané, continue to the right along trail 8, which crosses and incorporates several short sections of the private road, then reaches Col Portola, where there is a marvellous view of Valle d’Ayas and Mount Rosa. From the hill, go right to reach the top of Mount Zerbion, where there is a large statue of the Madonna delle Nevi (Our Lady of the Snow).

Take the path n° 8 in the village of Brengon, in the municipality of La Magdeleine. The first part of the path is almost downhill, through the meadows until the last part going into the wood until you will reach a small house in the hamlet of Ruaz Désot. From here, follow the dirt road and reach the Lod lake in the municipality of Antey-Saint-André. You will have the possibility to make a stop in a small playground area before coming back uphill.

After the first hairpin curve beyond the church of La Magdeleine, village of Vieu, you turn left following the signs to Chamois. You continue for about one kilometre, at the next hairpin bend begins the path n. 107 that reaches the forestall track or you can continue on the road. At about one hundred metres after the curve,starts the forestall track to Chamois. Following the track you meet an alpine pasture and, soon after, near the road block for unauthorized vehicles, a wooden fountain. The route winds almost parallel to the Ru Veuillen (Streamlet if Veuillen). Once reached the Copetou Alp you climb for a short tract then you turn eastwards and you continue onlevel ground. Once reached the Sauveroux valley, you go down, you cross the streamlet and you continue in the wood. After the village of Suis, you keep going and you meet, to the right, the Trinity chapel and, soon after, near the bridge, the water mill with the ancient press. You cross the bridge over the Chamois stream and you reach the village of Corgnolaz.

This trail is part of the itinerary called “Gran balconata del Cervino” in this route there is an outdoor thematic hike (ideal for children), which has as underlying theme the Energy. A track where are placed 7 playing installations, leading us to the discovery of this element, in order to know how it is produced and consumed, as well as to lead us to think about the Water, the Fire, the Earth and the Sun. Along the track, which can be walked in both directions, have been placed 20 boards illustrating, in a simple and exhaustive way, to what energy serves, how much energy we use, how it is produced, how it is possible to produce it using renewable sources, underlying, at the same time, how to use and economize it. This route is characterized by 7 installations, that able the visitor the possibility to play an active role. Do not miss the double funicular wich allow you to “Flight” for 20 metres and the volcano to climb!

Toll parkings. Three parking ticket distributors (coins only or app easypark):

• € 6,00 from 8.00 am to 5.30 pm

From the sport area you will take the path down direction Brengon and cemetery, then you will walk on a dirt road, follow through the meadows, and then in the wood and you will reach, after the Bois de Noussan, the Parafromiat alp. From here you will continue along the mule track, and reach fast the village of Promiod, in the municipality of Châtillon.

From Vieux, follow the paved road to the fork for Chamois: ignore it and continue along the road. After a wide left-hand bend you’ll find a barrier that indicates the start of the snow show route. Climb the road that leads to Col Pilaz through the fir woods that every so often provides exciting views of Mont Zerbion and Mont Tantané. After the steeper part of the road, the path continues practically straight. You are now on the border of the town of Chamois and, every now and again, you’ll catch a glimpse of the outline of the Matterhorn through the tree branches. After the highest elevation (2005 m), you’ll start to descent to a fork: ignore the road that continues straight and turn right continuing to descend to Col Pilaz (1975 m). Start descending leaving a few typical chalets on your right and continue along the cross-country ski track. After an initial downwards section, the track veers left towards Lake Croux that you’ll reach without seeing it. Leave the lake chalets on your right and finish the descent by taking the farm road: take your first right fork and cross to a mountain pasture where you’ll find a second fork: turn left here. You’ve reached the end. You can already see the ski lifts and La Magdeleine church beneath you. After two more bends you’ll reach the end of the road prohibited to traffic and the end of the snow. From here, head towards the houses in Artaz and the starting point that closes the ring.

From the square at Artaz 1727 m, cross the village then head to the right along a path that leads to a ski resort. Walk alongside the slopes, then head up through a pretty meadow on the left. A steep inter-estate road starts at the end of this; follow it to the end. Carry on through the forest following a flat pathway until you cross the valley that heads down to Promiod. Head down a few metres then back up as far as the Alpe Champ Cellier where you can pick up the trail from Promiod. Carry on over vast slopes along a non-obligatory route until you pass a rocky islet on your left at 2552 m. Then head for the clearly visible pass up above and then to your left (normally on foot) on an easy ridge until you come to the peak.