Sport Itineraries: Challand-Saint-Victor

When you reach Isollaz along the tarmac road from Challand-Saint-Victor, leave your car in the car-park and take the path above the hamlet, which goes uphill crossing the road to Dondeuil several times, as far as Suc and Fontaney. From here you continue on the un-made road towards the Alpine pastures of Chavernasse, Chalex, Dondeuil Désot and Damon, where the road finishes. From here you take the footpath which climbs along the valley until you reach Col Dondeuil.

Si parte dal Col d’Arlaz (tra Montjovet e Challand-Saint-Victor), dove si può parcheggiare l’auto e dal quale si apprezza una bella vista sulla valle centrale e sulle montagne.
La passeggiata, di quasi 12 chilometri considerando anche il ritorno, si snoda principalmente lungo un canale irriguo artificiale, il Ru d’Arlaz che risale al XIV secolo e che porta l’acqua del torrente Evançon dalla frazione Ponteil di Brusson ai comuni di Challand, Emarèse e Montjovet. Il suo nome deriva da quello del pinnacolo roccioso posto nei suoi pressi, il Flambeau d’Arlaz.

Dopo pochi minuti di cammino il tenue rumore del canale che scorre si fa decisamente più energico e dietro una curva, si incrocia una impetuosa cascata.
Ad un certo punto, il percorso si allontana dal canale e diventa leggermente più accidentato ma si tratta solo di un breve tratto con un sottopassaggio che supera le condotte forzate che scendono dal bacino di Plan d’Abellies fino alla centrale idroelettrica di Isollaz.
In breve si ritrova l’agevole sterrata e si raggiunge l’abitato di Orbeillaz.
Nel villaggio di Orbeillaz si percorre un tratto su asfalto, ammirando le case del vecchio borgo e le villette di più recente costruzione ed è possibile riempire le borracce con l’acqua fresca della fontana.

Dopo il bivio per la miniera di Bechaz si passa ai piedi di una fascia rocciosa dove la vista si apre: un cartello illustra le principali costruzioni che il medioevo ha lasciato nella valle: i castelli di Graines, Villa e la torre Bonod.
Il cammino prosegue lungo il ru d’Arlaz dove è stato allestito un percorso salute con numerosi attrezzi ginnici che hanno trasformato questo tratto in una simpatica palestra all’aperto.

L’itinerario si conclude poco prima della frazione Torrettaz, nel comune di Challand-Saint-Ansèlme, ma volendo il sentiero lungo il canale prosegue fino al villaggio di Arcesaz, nel comune di Brusson.

Starting from the forecourt of Nabian, you can reach the Villa lake thanks to a fully paved road that presents if you want several detours of paths.
First flat and then slightly uphill, the road to the lake leads first to a car park located at the beginning of the Challand Art route.
From this parking lot starts a very short descent on asphalt that ends where begins a modern mule track also designed for disabled access; after a few turns you arrive at the wonderful Villa lake, a body of water surrounded by green areas and colorful in any season.

One of the two sites in the Aosta Valley to be awarded the all-important “Italian Wonder” award is the Villa lake, located not far from the village framed in a wooded conca of glacial origin nestled between cliffs, with waters ranging from gray to gloomy green.
The contrast between the marsh vegetation and the mountain environment is clear; the lake is in fact surrounded by a* dense reed rod* that is home to aquatic varieties now rare in the Alps such as the common toad for which the reed tube is the main breeding station in the Valle d’Aosta.
The lake is also home to a nature reserve established to preserve the marked features of a striking mid-mountain environment.

Technical difficulty: medium/difficult
Physical difficulty: medium
Bike-friendly: 100%
Type of route: mixed asphalt, dirt, path

Brusson (1332 metres above sea level) can be reached by taking the Verrès motorway exit on the Regional Road no. 45. After 16 km you come to Brusson where the itinerary starts.

Leave from Brusson and turn towards Ayas. On reaching the crossroads for col de Joux, veer to the left and start the ascent, following the col de Joux Regional Road no. 33 that takes you to the hill at an altitude of 1640 metres above sea level. The ascent which is a bit monotonous due to the asphalt is particularly appreciated in summer when you can recover from the heat by passing through the centuries-old spruce grove before reaching the hill. Before arriving at col de Joux you can drink and replenish your water supplies at the Napoleon fountain where it is said that the leader stopped to quench his thirst with his troops on his way to the Alps. After reaching col de Joux (6.90 km) turn to the left and follow a clear stretch of a farm road that first runs along an irrigation canal. After a few kilometres you reach Sommarèse (1536 metres above sea level – 10.70 km). From Sommarèse you can descend or alternatively, on coming to the last house, more expert excursionists can turn left and follow an extremely fun single track that leads to Eresa (1166 metres above sea level). Those who want to follow a single track, located in the centre of the village can turn left and continue towards the col d’Arlaz (1040 m). On reaching the canal (15.90 km) turn left and then continue alongside the canal. Those who have followed the road leading to Emarèse (995 metres above sea level) should then turn left and follow the service farm track of the irrigation canal called Ru d’Arla in order to reach the col d’Arlaz (1040 metres above sea level). On arrival at the hill, turn left and follow the irrigation canal, after around 1 km passing a beautiful waterfall before reaching Orbillaz (1116 metres above sea level), hamlet of Challand-Saint-Anselme. Leaving from the village, before descending (18.60 km) turn left and continue to run along the canal, following a gentle farm track that takes you back to Brusson. Just 2.5 km after the Arcesaz village (1155 metres above sea level) you can find a steep climb, along just a few hundred metres. Passing by the forest nursery, cross the bridge in order to get to the meadows overlooking the Brusson village.

THE “LARD” OF ARNAD
A recommendation for the connoisseur: past the Bard Fort and then make a stop at Arnad and request some of the famous lard. Spicy and flavored with mountain herbs, the “Lard d’Arnad” adds to any dish an authentic taste, the taste of the Aosta Valley. In 1996 it received the Protected Designation of Origin. Every year, on the last Sunday in August, the traditional “Féhta dou Lard” - Lard Festival - unfolds, which attracts thousands of tourists.

BRUSSON
The climb from Verrès, along the lower part of the Val d'Ayas, takes you to Challand-Saint-Victor where you can make a detour to Lake Villa, a nature reserve. Continuing further, you will pass Challand-Saint-Ansèlme, you will see the Graines castle, built in the 11th century on a rocky spur, and you will reach Brusson, at 1338 meters above sea level, where you can visit the Chamousira gold mines and the dairy  La Fromagerie Haut Val d'Ayas.
From Brusson starts the road that leads to Col di Joux, which connects the Val d'Ayas with Saint-Vincent.

SAINT-VINCENT
A charming scenic road descends from the 5,380 feet of Col di Joux to Saint-Vincent, exclusive town overlooking the central valley, known as the “Riviera of the Alps” for its special climatic conditions. The ideal location to spend a few days of vacation in absolute relaxation, but also just for a pleasant break before you get on the road to the bottom of the valley: It’s the right time for a pizza, an ice-cream, a stroll through the elegant streets of the center and – why not?- a short trip to the slot-machines at the famous Casino de La Vallée.