Where to eat: Bionaz

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.

The Capanna Aosta Refuge situated on a ridge east of the end section of the Tza de Tzan glacier, on the summit of the Valpelline, is owned by the C.A.I. (Italian Alpine Club) of Aosta and is a very interesting destination for all those wishing to savour the temptations of the Alps from close range, passing close to imposing glaciers which are now shrinking. It is the starting point for numerous mountain itineraries.An eagle’s nest. For expert hikers.
The refuge can only be reached on foot in about 4 hours walk from the dam of Place Moulin.

The Alessandro Nacamuli, or Col Collon refuge was built at the start of the nineties.
There are numerous opportunities for trips and crossings in the area, ranging from two-day trips to long distance alpine skiing lasting from three to six days or more, with cross country routes or crossing routes, which are all magnificent both from the point of view of the skiing and the landscapes.
Even in summer there are numerous activities possible in the surrounding areas: from simple excursions along the paths of the high routes lasting several days, to mountain climbing routes.
The “Tour du Cervin” or “Giro del Cervino”, goes past the refuge (a tour of 7-8 days which makes it possible to admire every side of one of the most representative mountains of the Alps), as well as the “Tour des Grands Barrages”.
For expert hikers.
The refuge can only be reached on foot in about 3,30 hours walk from the dam of Place Moulin.

Situated in the upper Bionaz valley, it is an ideal starting point for climbs, excursions, fishing and trips on mountain bikes in the summer and for ski-touring trips in the winter and spring. Restaurant with typical Valle d’Aosta cuisine.
The refuge can be reached on foot in about 1 hour walk from the dam of Place Moulin or by bicycle.

The Crête Sèche refuge is dominated by the crest of the same name, from which it takes its name, with its thread-like spiers and its ruined towers. The welcoming refuge is also ideal for children, given the meadows that surround it and the not excessive distance from the valley floor. The refuge can only be reached on foot in about 2 hours' walk from Ruz. The refuge is family run with a lot of history behind it. The cuisine is exclusively based on typical Aosta Valley products with abundant dishes.

The restaurant of the B&B of the same name offers recipes based on products from the family farm and farmers from Valpelline. In addition to traditional Valdostana dishes, it offers reinterpretations of the same in a modern key. The environment is typical of a new renovation of a typical Aosta Valley house , where wood and stone warmly welcome guests.

A charming restaurant hidden in the mountains, offers typical dishes with local products.

Set in nature and on the banks of the lake, you can relax and enjoy local and national dishes in this cozy environment.