Nature: Introd, Villeneuve, ** Valle d'Aosta **

The Mont Avic Park, first natural park in the Aosta Valley, preserves since 1989 the natural resources of the upper Chalamy stream valley in the municipality of Champdepraz and, since 2003 the Dondena valley, in the territory of Champorcher.

The protected area is characterised by extremely captivating landscapes and environments only marginally affected by human activities.
Crossing the paths that meander through the protected area gives visitors the chance to come into contact with particularly interesting and various natural aspects: rugged and characteristic geological formations, floral alpine endimisms and peculiar plant associations tied to the green rock substratum. The largest mountain pine forest (pinus uncinata) in the region with a couple dozen ponds, marshes and peat bog, it is unrivalled in number and in extension in the Aosta Valley. All the most widespread alpine animals in the region are represented.

You can hike along the park paths all year round. Most of the paths are snow-covered from November to May and only advisable for experts with appropriate equipment. Some paths can be ridden on horseback or on mountain bike.

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Col de Joux (1640m) is a woody pass linking Saint-Vincent with Brusson, and is thus a beautiful alternative route to the road that goes up from Verrès, to reach Val d’Ayas.
It runs past charming hamlets and goes through beautiful woods, providing wonderful views of the central valley and Val d’Ayas.
The word “Joux” has pre-Latin origins and means woody highland, however, can also be traced to the Latin Jugum, yoke, and hence hill.
Col de Joux also hosts the final Ayas section of Ru Courtod, an irrigated canal coming from the Ventina glacier and dating back to the 14th century.
Several trails of varying difficulty start here, for example those leading to Testa Comagna or Col Tzecore, but you can also go for a pleasant walk along the private road towards Sommarèse, or towards Pallu, with its artificial lake.

Animals, plants and flowers, all starring at the Parc Animalier d’Introd… All visitors have to do is walk, watch and….naturally observe! The Parc Animalier is dedicated to those who want to experience the mountain habitat, comparing its ecosystems in a short period of time. Families are ideal Park visitors since the park respects and conserves animals typical of the alpine region like the ibex, chamois, woodchuck, various birds of prey and a multicoloured flora.

Dogs, although they cannot walk off their leashes in the Park, are welcome guests to the specific dog areas.

The Introd Ravine, about one hundred meters deep, is carved into the junction point of the Rhêmes and Savara Valleys and can be seen from the bridge along the regional road leading through the village. The bridge, built during World War I, is a true architectural masterpiece. To construct the huge wooden scaffolding, 8 meters wide and 34 meters long, whole tree trunks were used.