Sport Itineraries: Quart

After reaching the square just before Quart castle, in Villair, take the itinerary that leads to the castle. Continue along the flat trail that close to the manor and at the crossroad, leave the right branch and go up the left one. As well as being picturesque, the first section has several panels illustrating different topics. The trail continues into the woods until you reach the small chapel of Blessed Emericus of Quart.

From the village Villefranche in Quart go up the hill in the direction of the castle. Leave the car in the small parking lot and reach the castle, explanatory signs tell the story of this manor. In the park you can see two monumental trees, a beech and a maple. The path 103 starts from behind the castle, has an almost flat course, very panoramic, the vegetation is typical of arid areas. Once in sight of the village of Nus you can decide whether to go back or go down to the village with a fairly steep path.

This itinerary leads to Quart castle following the rû Prévot. Rû are irrigation canals still in use today, dating back to the late Middle Ages (13th and 16th centuries). A small miracle of hydraulic and engineering techniques capable of ensuring the water supply necessary for the economic sustenance of the people of the time, based mainly on agriculture and breeding.
Quart Castle was built around the XII century for defensive purposes and transformed into a residential building with the addition of more constructions between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
From Quart go up the hill to the monastery. The monastery was inaugurated on 16 July 1989 by Pope John Paul II. Inside, the nuns of the order of the Discalced Carmelites lead a cloistered life dedicated to prayer and work.
Behind the monastery take the path 103 and the pilgrim’s logo, continue to the right, the path is flat and in a short time you reach the Castle from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the whole valley and the surrounding mountains. In the area of the Castle you find panels telling the story and the naturalistic aspects. For those wishing to continue the via Francigena, path n. 103 goes forward towards Nus in two more hours.

Leave your car and head towards the town of Fonteil following the road through the houses. You’ll find a signpost after the village: take the path on the left that avoids part of the farm road. Returning to the slope, climb to your right crossing the fir woods to start the initial part of the Comba Dèche. The climb here is rather bland quickly taking you to some houses in front of Becca d’Aveille. After the houses, continue along the snow-covered slope until you find a solitary pasture at a bend: this is alp Cré. Ignore the straight slope and turn left on the steeper climb whose bends take you in view of Brunier: the path does not lead to the houses since it turns left into the woods. Ignore the fork on the right to finally reach Flemagne. A beautiful view of the central valley mountains opens up after the buildings. Re-enter the woods as the slope turns slowly right until it reaches a field where it seems to end: from here, take the slope that enters the woods on the right. From here on the path is not well-marked especially if not beaten. Continue to a small clearing at about altitude 1900m where you must follow a small moraine in the woods. Gaining altitude, leave the ridge and turn slowly towards the left to a panoramic point with a great view of Mont Emilius. After this brief clearing, return through the woods following the path to the right. At the end of the path, turn left and climb through the thick fir woods. The woods slowly start to thin out and, heading towards the peak, the slope levels out near a delightful clearing: you’re near the end. It’s now just a short climb to Croce di Fana (2212 m).
The view of the Aosta basin as well as the aerial view of the region’s capital are magnificent from the top.