Sport Itineraries: Courmayeur

You leave Aosta on the road towards Courmayeur and the first place you come to is Sarre. Its castle was bought by the Savoys in 1869 and turned into a hunting lodge. Straight after you reach Saint-Pierre where you can admire the Sarriod and de la Tour castles as well as the fairy-tale castle of Saint-Pierre. On the road towards Courmayeur you go through Arvier, which lies in a little hollow surrounded by vineyards, and Avise, an ancient village dominated by three mediaeval castles.

After the Lenteney waterfall, on the left, La Salle marks the entrance to the Mont Blanc Valley. This village slopes downwards, surrounded by sun-soaked vineyards and orchards, and has been totally renovated, although the original architectural style of the pre-existing houses has been retained. Continuing on, you come to Morgex, an old mediaeval village lying in a vast area of flat land, surrounded by a beautiful circle of mountains. Before continuing on your route towards Courmayeur, it is worth stopping at Pré-Saint-Didier, an important spa town, which was already known to and appreciated by the ancient Romans. Courmayeur lies at the foot of the enormous Mont Blanc massif. It grew up around the ancient church of San Pantaleone and San Valentino and since the 19th century it has been regarded as the capital of mountaineering and Alpine walking.

Places you go through on the route:
- Aosta (585 m)
- Valle di Cogne junction 4.5 km (625 m)
- Rhemes/Valsavarenche junction 10.1 km (670 m)
- Valgrisenche junction 13.7 km (745 m)
- Strada dei Salassi junction 15.3 km (780 m)
- Col San Carlo junction 24.9 km (920 m)
- Pré-Saint-Didier - Little St Bernard Pass junction 29.7 km (1010 m)
- Courmayeur 35.1 km (1200 m)

Route included in a stage of the Giro d’Italia in 1959 (Aosta/Courmayeur). Stage won by Gaul (LUX)

Wall ascent: follow the dirt road to the Elena hut. Just before the hut, turn left on the path that crosses the bridge over the stream and soon coasts the wall base.

The wall was bolted by the Courmayeur alpine training center in the summers of 1998 and 1999. The first parts of the routes are along a ledge becoming slightly steeper, in central routes, towards the top. There is a belay station every 30 meters where climbers can either abseil or continue. Children should not be left at the base of the routes given the base gradient and possible falling rocks. Normal equipment is required for long sport routes: harness, dynamic rope, quickdraws, descenders, belay device, helmet. Additional quick protections are not necessary.
The activity requires technical experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

Descent: Stops have chains and belays and climbers abseil down.

Minimum, maximum and average route difficulty from 4a to 6b, average 5b.

Total number of routes: 5

Average length is 200 meters with a minimum of 180 and maximum of 215 meters.

Other rock walls in the area: Villair - Courmayeur.

Wall ascent: when you reach the house in ruins, leave the path and continue to your left to the wall.

The wall was anchored by some alpine guides from Courmayeur who did a great job cleaning both the base and the ascent and anchoring and cleaning the wall. Good anchoring in stainless steel material with average distances between pitons. Route style is rather modern.
The activity requires technical experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

Descent: Stops include chains and belays and climbers are either belayed or top-roped down on a 60 m cord or on 80 m cords for 2 length ones.

Minimum, maximum and average route difficulty from 5c to 7c, average 6c.

Total number of routes: 17

Average length is 28 meters with a minimum of 16 and maximum of 42 meters.

Other rock walls in the area: Placche di Pré de Bar, Val Ferret - Courmayeur.

It is definitely the most famous and (relatively) attended ice climb on the Val Ferret. Contained difficulties and easy access contributed to its success … even if you must often deal with the adverse conditions of the snowpack upstream. The area is rather dangerous for avalanches.

Level: III/2-3
Length: III/2-3
First ascent: F. Toldo in the 80’s
Altitude: 1700 m
Exposure: North-West
Coordinates: Lon.: 7,00275 Lat.: 45,832691 - UTM (ED50) - X: 344965,76 Y: 5077596,97

L1: go along the iced slide entirely to the left up to the point where the stream forks and becomes steeper. Belay on ice.
L2: two possibilities. On the left, follow the icy ramp entirely to its end (WI2). On the right, you must overcome a continuous and sustained wall but never vertically (WI3). In both cases, belay at the top on ice or on tree.

Descent: abseiling from tree summits.

Text and photos taken from Effimeri barbagli (M. Giglio, 2014), the complete guide to ice climbs in Aosta Valley.

Courmayeur lies at the foot of the enormous Mont Blanc massif and is the oldest Alpine resort in Val d’Aosta. Ever since the 19th century it has been regarded as the capital of mountaineering and Alpine walking. The village is surrounded by numerous hamlets which retain the typical architectural features of traditional houses. From the hamlet of Entrèves you gain access to the Mont Blanc Tunnel (length 11.6 km), a spectacular feat of engineering, which crosses Mont Blanc. You then enter the Val Ferret, dominated by the Grandes Jorasses.

Places you go through on the route:
- Courmayeur (1,200 m)
- Mont Blanc Tunnel/Val Ferret junction 4.2 km (1,345 m)
- Planpincieux 6.7 km (1,580 m)
- Lavachey 10.9 km (1,630 m)
- Arnouva 14.8 km (1,765 m)

Once you reach Arp-Nouva by bus, cross the bridge over the stream and continue along the dirt road until you come to a path, which goes off to the right and is signposted TMB. After several inversions this trail leads to Tsa de Jean. Continue along the path to Pré-de-Bard, where you will find the Elena refuge. Continue along this path, which gains altitude and goes up to the pasture of Pré-de-Bar Damon. Just beyond the pasture, leave the route on the right which goes into the valley of La Combette and veer left towards Col Grand-Ferret.

The majority of the trail follows the balcony on the slopes of the Mont-de-la-Saxe, at around an altitude of 2000 m so it is an ideal route for panoramic views.

Follow the trail for the Bertone refuge as far as the mountain chalets in Leuchey Damon. Here you leave the path to the Bertone refuge and take the fairly flat left-hand path until you reach the mountain chalets of Arminaz Desot. On the other side of Arminaz, the path goes downhill slightly: at this point you abandon the main path going down to Lavachey and take a small footpath on your right which goes back up the mountain side and leads you to the mountain chalets of Malatra Desot and the Bonatti refuge. And then from Malatra continue on as far as the chalets in Arp-Nouva di meiten. From here you go down to the bottom of the valley and continue along the un-made road towards the Elena refuge.

From Courmayeur, take the paved road which soon leads you the hamlet of Dolonne. Go through the tiny streets and the itinerary continues up with sections on the private road and sometimes on the path, until you come to the cablecar arrival station in Plan Chécrouit. Continue along route AV2, mainly on the ski slopes until you come to the Maison Vieille refuge, from where, as you cross high altitude meadows you can admire several alpine lakes, until you come to a stony slope. Descend from here towards the pastures of Arp Vieille Damon and Désot. From here, you soon reach a dirt road. Turn left into it and go up to the plateau of the valley of Lex Blanche walking alongside the Dora Veny. Cross the stream over a bridge, then go up, crossing over the dirt road several times, until you come to the Elisabetta refuge.

1. Jardin du Miage or Lake Verde From the car park, take the right trail towards Dora di Veny. Before the bridge, take the path to the left that follows the stream. On the other side of Visaille bridge, take the path immediately to the right, which reaches Lake Verde after going up and down several times. 2. Lake Marmotte From the car park, take the right trail towards Dora di Veny. Go over the bridge and continue on the trail that crosses another stream. Leave the trail just after this second bridge and turn right onto a path that takes you through larch trees. Details of the excursion: - A PARTICULAR GLACIER The Miage glacier is the largest in the Italian Alps and forms a right angle as it leaves the foot of the rock wall and enters Val Veny. Its irregular face immediately expands over the whole valley and divides into two distinct lobes. Between the two lobes there is a free area stuck between two claws of ice. This wooded area is reminiscent of a garden, Jardin du Miage. A PARTICULAR LAKE Lake Marmotte, or Lac du Breuillat, has the embarrassing habit of disappearing every now and then. The left-hand lateral moraine cord that delimits it, is clearly too porous to enable the basin to be sealed for continuous periods. The majestic atmosphere and the call of the marmots are a fitting consolation...

Itinerary connecting Lassy to La Visaille, through conifer woods on the orographic right bank of the Dora river in the Val Veny.
There is a spectacular view of Mont Blanc.

From Courmayeur, continue along the paved road and go into Val Ferret. When you get to Lavachey, continue for a further 1 km and, just before crossing the Malatrà, you come to the start of route 42, which goes off to the right of the paved road. The itinerary goes up to the Bonatti refuge and the pastures of Malatrà Inferiore and Superiore. Just before the pasture of Malatrà Superiore, ignore the left-hand branch that goes up to Col Malatrà, and continue on the right, still on route 42, which stays on the left orographic bank of the stream and crosses the wide flat basin, before veering right and going up to Pas Entre-deux-Sauts (2520 m).
Turn right after crossing the ridge, to get to the summit.

Having reached La Visaille by bus, in the Val Veny in the municipality of Courmayeur, take the paved road, which then becomes a dirt track (route 12) and leads to the Elisabetta refuge. Keep on the orographic left side and when you get to the bridge of the Dora, stay on the same side, taking route 18A which leads to Cabane du Combal. Veer right and after a few metres, follow the trail that goes up to the crest of the moraine on the bank of Lac Miage.

The path begins just behind Maison Vieille hut and follows the sign of Tour du Mont-Blanc and Alta Via 2.
Climbing gently through flowering meadows, you can reach the lake, in whose blue green waters, the imposing peaks of Mont Blanc are reflected.

Lake Chécrouit is an exceptional viewpoint at 2,000 m over the whole Mont Blanc chain and Vény Valley.

Leave the car in Planpincieux, in the municipality of Courmayeur, then continue along the paved road walking alongside the Grandes Jorasses campsite. When you reach a chapel,cross the Dora of the Val Ferret and keep on the dirt track, which leads to Leuchey Désot. From here, continue along route 31 and you come to the pasture of Leuchey Damon. At a crossroad, take the AV1 route on the left, and go up to the alpine meadows before reaching the vast grassy ridge of Mont-de-la-Saxe. Now take route 42 on the left, which runs along the wide ridge, and leave route AV1, which soon leads to the Bertone refuge.

The itinerary starts at Peuterey, in the Vény Valley, where the camping Monte Bianco La Sorgente is located.
Following the dirt road which runs along the river, you get into a wood of firs and go on towards Frêney.

The path to Lago Verde starts at Plan Lognan, after having crossed the bridge on the right, after the restaurant.
The itinerary develops completely in the wood with ups and downs and a bridge over the stream. Just after the bridge, getting over some big rocks, you climb quickly above the shores of the lake.
Lago Verde is fed directly by the melting waters of Miage glacier. The emerald green color and the thick trees all around, creates a green spot of peacefullnes, called “Miage Garden”, too.

The departure point for this trail is the Bonatti refuge.
You can get to the refuge by taking Altavia 2 from Courmayeur, or go up route 28, which starts on the right side of the Val Ferret road after going past Lavachey (about 1 km after the houses, just before the Malatrà stream).
From the refuge go up the Malatrà valley on the orographic left bank of the stream, until you reach the pasture of Malatrà Inferiore and then the pasture of Malatrà Superiore. Shortly afterwards, cross a small bridge that takes you to the orographic right side and go up to Giué Superiore pasture, from where you cross a wide plateau alongside the stream, and then go up the hillside debris until you come to Col de Malatrà.

From Courmayeur, take the road that leads to the village of Villair Superiore, at the entrance to Val Sapin. From here, the road continues to climb then becomes a dirt road and crosses the Tsapy stream. The itinerary continues, initially along the paved road and sometimes along the path, until it reaches the start of the path on the left, which goes up the slope beneath Bertone refuge, which is covered in a thick wood of conifers. The refuge can be reached in about 2 hours, and from there the trail continues mainly over green meadows and reaches the pastures of Upper Leuchey, Lèche and, bathed by a stream, the pastures of lower Arminaz and Sécheron, from where Bonatti refuge is soon reached.

The itinerary starts covering the dirt road which begins at the end of Villair Dessus hamlet and penetrates into the wild Val Sapin.
Crossing the bridge, the road develops into hairpin bends through a hardwood forest until reaching the cottages of La Trappa an then going on, with a moderare slope to Tsapy where the road ends.
Tsapy is an ancient mineral village at the edge of the wood with some pretty houses.

From Courmayeur, take the road that leads to the village of Villair Superiore, at the entrance to Val Sapin. From here, the road continues to climb then becomes a dirt road and crosses the Tsapy stream. The itinerary continues, initially along the paved road and sometimes along the path, until it reaches the start of the path on the left, which goes up the slope beneath Bertone refuge, which is covered in a thick wood of conifers. At a crossroad beyond the refuge, ignore AV1 on the left, and take itinerary 42 on the right, which gently leads to the grassy plateau of Mont de la Saxe. This leads you to another crossroad. Take the path on the left (not signposted), which soon takes you to the top of Testa Bernarda.
Magnificent view over the Mont Blanc range

Technical difficulty: medium/difficult
Physical difficulty: medium
Bike-friendly: 100%
Type of Route: dirt road, path

You can reach Zerotta in Val Veny by car, coach and also by bike following directions for Val Veny from Courmayeur.

From the Zerotta hamlet, follow the asphalt road towards Courmayeur for around half a kilometre. On reaching the sign for Purtud cross the bridge on the left and follow the farm track until you reach a crossroads and then turn left (yellow road signs no. 7). After having crossed the stream (yellow road signs), following the path that goes beyond the Peuterey wood and passing from Freney, you reach the main road at the bottom of the valley.
You go uphill on the right for around 800 metres on asphalt until the first sharp bend towards the right where you then turn left in order to reach the dirt road that stretches from Les Zergnes to reach the restaurant La Fodze. Forty metres before the restaurant, turn left onto the large path that descends across the steep field until the village, after which you veer to the right. The descent is beautiful and fast but take care, after around 500 metres there is a crossroads. You have to turn to the right and follow the short path that ends at a small neighbourhood; after having followed the wall surrounding the house at the top of the ascent, follow the small but beautiful ledge that takes you back onto asphalt. From this point you can reach la Zerotta or Comayeur by following the municipal road of Val Vény.

From the Torino Refuge, cross the Gigante Pass plateau and this will take you to the Aiguilles Marbrées base (to be avoided on the left); carry on up the glacier in the direction of the dente; one reference point is the clear snowy stream that cuts through the rocky crag under the Gengiva. This will take you onto the upper ridge of this rocky buttress heading directly up the snowy stream (45°) or staying on the easy rocks on the left bank. From this secondary ridge you can follow a system with gentle stretches that is not difficult, of streams and broken rocks mixed with the snow, moving obliquely to the right until you come to the main ridge and the base of a large gendarme, that should be circumvented on the right. Follow the ridge of rocks mixed with snow with some logical detours until you come to the snowy basin of the Gengiva, at the base of the southern rock face on the Dente del Gigante.
From here, climb down a few metres to the left and start into the road through cracks (spit) on a large detached pillar. Circumvent it and climb back up another 5 metres until you come to a large nail. Once again cross over to the left horizontally for about a dozen metres until you find yourself in a basin of fairly broken rocks with beautiful cracks; follow it for about forty metres crossing slightly over to the left and finding yourself on two beautiful, comfortable terraces where the fixed ropes start. Follow it diligently until you come to the top of the Punta Sella, then come down at the next fork and you will reach the Punta Graham where the statue of the Madonna is located.

Downhill
Two options for the descent: along the upward itinerary or - if it is overcrowded - in double rope along the southern rock face, on solid fix fastenings and top-roping.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Day one
From Planpincieux, near the bars and restaurants, head towards the centre of the village following signs for the Boccalatte Refuge. After passing close to a small church, climb up alongside a pine forest. Beyond the forest, the trail heads down slightly to the right, passes a river and heads back up again. The route continues along a channel crossed over by another river that creates some small waterfalls. A little further on, continue along rocky terrain until you come to a steel stairway (about ten metres long), above which there is a stretch equipped with fixed rope. From here, carry on along the moraines of glaciers (here the actual path alternates with rocky stretches) and you will come to and pass a snowfield where you should turn left. This is where the most technical stretch begins, that is, the upward climb of a rocky spur where the refuge stands. In about twenty minutes over rocks equipped with fixed ropes, you will come to the Boccalatte Refuge terrace.

Day two
From the refuge, once passed a short rocky stretch (fixed ropes) you will come to the glacier between moraines and snowfields. Keeping to the left of the Rognon de la Bouteille, you will come to the base of the Reposoir rocks. Climb up the entire rocky spur until you come to the edge of a large frozen basin, known as the Couloir Whymper. Cross it towards the right more or less on flat ground as far as the base of the Rochers Whymper, that can easily be climbed thanks to a fixed rope. You then come to the grand Plateau under the serac at the summit. Cross it in its entirety as far as the right edge where the rocks start that head down towards Punta Walker. From here you can reach the peak’s snowy cap.
Descent: down the upward itinerary.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Day one
From Lac Combal (closed to traffic in La Visaille), take the path that leads to the edge of the Miage glacier moraine and follow it to the end where the glacier starts. Walk along the sediment moved and accumulated by the glacier and then on the glacier itself for about five hundred meters to where it meets with the Dôme glacier. Here, on the right, continue along the path that winds in numerous hairpins over the exposed segments, some equipped with cords and stairs, to the snowfield. Cross to your right to the rocky spur. Lastly, some anchored cords indicate the route to follow: climb the rocky ridge to the Gonella hut.

Day two
From the hut, start the climb on the Dôme glacier keeping against the Aiguilles Grises edge, always careful of crevasses. Once on the Aiguilles Grises ridge, continue to your right to the Bionnassay ridge which ends with the Dôme de Gouter: Leave it to your left to start on the Col du Dôme where the ridge broadens. Pass by the Vallot hut-observatory which is anchored to a strip of rock emerging from the glacier and then take the steps up the snowy ridge (Arête des Bosses) to the top.
Descent: down the ascent route.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

First day
From Arnouva, walk along the dirt road that rises from the valley to the hairpin where, on the left, a path climbs to the summit of the Tête de Ferret. The path enters a small valley and continues to the left to the base of a grassy ridge. Follow the path to a marked rise which, at the top, forces you to continue to the left. Cross a small waterway to the top of a second rise where the slope is gentler. Continue on the left, snow-covered at times, on the peaks under the Colle di Grapillon. The path climbs the moraine peaks towards the Mount Allobrogia ridge. Cross the two valleys and rocky ledges to the two camps that suddenly appear.

Second day
From the Fiorio / Dolent camps, cross the peaks scattered with rocks and snow to the Pré de Bar glacier with few crevasses. Continue on your right on the steeper peaks and leave the rocky ledge emerging from the glacier creating a fork, on your left.
Climb the right glacier fork, keeping to the center on the steep hump. After the hump, turn right to cross the crevasse that protects the entrance to the snow-covered gap on the south-east ridge of Mont Dolent. Climb the snow-covered ridge to the base of an instable rocky channel that leads to the beginning shoulder of the top ridge. Continue over the rocks and snow-covered ridges to the peak.
Descent: along the ascent route.

The route requires alpine climbing experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

Climb the paved road, often frozen, to the chalet on the left. here you can put on your snow shoes and start hiking in the snow. Briefly climb the snow-covered slope, always beaten, that hugs the frozen stream coming from Val Sapin until you find a crossbar with signposts and a information panel with a themed map of the paths in the Espace Mont Blanc: follow path 42. Climb the beaten slope that takes you to the right to a fork for the Bertone Refuge, well-marked by yellow signposts and a ball.
Continue along the summer path, often beaten, that is rather steep from the get go. The climb continues leaving the last birch trees behind, entering a beautiful woods mainly populated by red firs. The path continues up the slope with a long series of turns to the stone monument dedicated to the Aosta Alpine Battalion.
The path continues crossing South to a bare slope. Cross the endless series of turns as the La Thuile mountains come into view: from Mont Colmet to Mont Crammont. After walking for about an hour, you’ll reach a second path heading South. Take this practically flat path that starts to climb with entering a larch woods. Just above you’ll find another path heading South: this path may be difficult if not beaten or when the snow freezes. At the end of this section you’ll finally see the end. In fact, the snow-covered pastures under the refuge are not far away. Leave the woods entering an extremely scenic area made even more breathtaking by the candid snow. When you reach the signpost, turn right and, gaining higher altitude, you’ll finally reach the Bertone Refuge.

Carefully assess the snow conditions: this excursion is relatively easy when there is not a lot of snow or the snow is stable. However, it becomes more difficult when there is a lot of snow or the path is not beaten.

From Planpincieux, head towards the start of the Val Ferret cross-country ski track. Take the path next to the slopes and enter the valley. Initially walk along the edge of the Grandes Jorasses camp site for ten minutes until you reach a small chapel: from here, the route flattens out a bit entering the valley with a great view of Tête de Ferret. Slightly ascending, you’ll first pass Pont, Tronchey and Praz Sec d’en Bas. After the last houses, the path hugs the Doire de Ferret and finally reaches Lavachey.
From Lavachey, continue along the cross-country ski tracks heading North-East until you reach a pair of bends: after these, enter the fir woods to the fork for the refuge. Take the summer path, turning to the right, and follow the signposts to climb through the unmarked woods. The steady climb upwards leads to a second signpost hidden in the snow: turn left and climb the series of bends in the woods that lead to the snow-covered pastures under the refuge. Climb this last steep segment out of the woods: the refuge appears with a superb view of Mont Blanc. Climb the last few meters to finally reach the Bonatti Refuge (2026 mt).

Day one:
Park your car in the Planpincieux lot and take the footpath that follows the valley floor. After the hamlet of Lavachey, climb the small valley on the right until you hit the farm road. Follow the road to the sign for the Bonatti hut on the left. Continue through the larch wood heading East. You’ll reach the hut just out of the woods.

Day two:
From the hut, climb the marked valley of Malatrà and cross the wide plateau to the left. After a steeper rise, follow the valley floor which, with a final steep segment, leads to the hill.
Descent down the upward itinerary.

Park your car at the end of the road in Arnouva. Follow the farm road that follows the central valley. Leaving the fork for the Elena hut on your right, continue over the valley floor and take the steep canyon that leads to Col du Petit Ferret. Turn left and cross to the Florio/Dolent camps.
Continue crossing to the glacier and climb to your left, careful of crevasses. Climb to the last steep slope, remove your skis and climb towards the ridge with crampons to the summit.
Descent down the upward itinerary.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

From the parking area proceed towards the left corner. You will find a yellow sign (trailmarker 21) for the mountain hut. After 40 meters you will find a fork to the right that leads to a small road that crosses the village (yellow arrow). This mule track goes into the woods, passing the small chapel of Planpincieux, to then become a winding path. The trail continues towards the ice-falls, reaching a canal full of debris. Pass this to the right and enter a second canal, keeping to the left and wade into the river. You continue towards a waterfall with I-II level passages. Continue on the right ridge until you reach a metal ladder that helps you to climb a trail (it is easy). At the exit there is a worn out rope. Continue along a morainic ridge until you reach the top. Continue to the left amongst the debris towards the ledge where you can see the mountain hut. Once you have reached the plaques go up a detrital ramp to the right. You will find a fixed hemp rope that crosses to the left. Follow the ropes until you reach a pulpit. You go up in a zig-zagging aerial trail until you reach the terrace on the glacier where the mountain hut is located. It is possible to finish this excursion by passing the entrance and the bathrooms continuing behind the mountain hut following the ropes that take to the glacier where the Italian flag is placed and from where you begin the great mountain climbs.

From the Pavillon refuge you continue on a clear trail towards the botanical garden on the opposite side (which is marked) which you will keep to your right. You coast alongside a fence on a path (trail marker 20 and wooden sign on a rock indicating “palestra 20 minuti” or “ “practice wall 20 minutes”). Continue until you come to a fork between two poles. You leave behind paths 20, 20b to your right in ascent and proceed to the left on a “fake” plain (trail marker 20a). The trail continues to climb up. At one point there is a single leg of about 6 meters and you’ll find a chain to help you along. You pass the area that is marked by a practice climbing wall and continue midway until you reach the “belvedere” (2200 meters) with a few meters in descent. A sign to the right indicates the beginning of the trail for mountain climbers. Continue downhill on the steep trail towards the right until you come to the first metal chain. Go down a sort of well gripped granite dihedral (III) and cross over to the next ridge. The difficulty level is slightly low. You continue by crossing the gravel debris left over by the rivers. Proceed along the hillside with a series of ups and downs until you reach a river formed by the Entreves glacier. You need to wade this trail but be very careful during the beginning of the season. The trail starts to climb up and you have the help of metal chains where necessary. After passing a granite ledge climb the east wall of the Mont de la Brenva which is easiest between the grassy parts. Once on the crest go up the ridge for about ten meters then go down the opposite side heading towards the belvedere (or lookout point) once again.

From the parking area you enter the forest where various geographical-tourist signs and a yellow trailmarker are placed. You follow the trail (trailmarker n. 16) until you reach a bridge that crosses the river. You continue to the left on the trail under the grassy but very dangerous outline of the Aiguille du Chatelet. The path continues to go up between bends until it reaches the rocky walls of the gorge of the Freney’s ice-falls to the right with splendid waterfalls.
From this point onwards you will find the fully equipped part with metal chains. The ascent is distinguished by a sort of leaning trail that is almost never vertical, more rocky than grassy with continuous II and III level passages. You should not underestimate this trail even with these slight difficulties. The itinerary is really fun, interposed by a few portions of path that, however, blends with the trail.
The ferrata’s exit is located on the northern hill of the Aiguille de Chatelet. Here the path continues upwards until it reaches the refuge. The view of the mont Rouge and Aiguilles de Peuterey mountain range is spectacular, specially if you continue onwards until you reach the ruins of the age-old Gamba shack (2630 meters).
To safely climb this via ferrata we recommend that you be accompanied by a mountain guide.

Percorso di una trentina di chilometri (andata e ritorno) nella Valdigne, nell’area turistica del Monte Bianco. Si pedala senza troppo dislivello lungo un itinerario ad anello con partenza da Morgex. Dopo aver raggiunto La Salle si passa da Derby, villaggio ricco di storia con una interessante chiesa. Sa qui il percorso vira e ritorna a La Salle lungo una strada diversa. Poi si pedala verso Pré-Saint-Didier e si prosegue per Courmayeur, famosa ed elegante stazione turistica, da cui si rientra a Pré-Saint-Didier e poi a Morgex.

VAL FERRET AND VAL VENY, WHITE SPECTACLE
Just a few Km after Courmayeur you encounter Entrèves, characteristic village. If you think the landscape has been amazing until now, prepare yourself: From here on will leave you literally open-mouthed. Here we have two marvellous valleys, which more or less join to form a single immense shelf in the Mont Blanc group of mountains.

The peaks of the mountain range display themselves in all their majesty: The Grandes Jorasses, the Giant’s Tooth, Mont Maudit, the Aiguilles Blanches and Noires, Helbronner Peak, the Tré-Ia-Tète, Aiguilles des Glaciers, up to the 4,810 metres of the Mont Blanc peak. It seems like you can touch them, driving the two splendid roads that travel up through the valley.

But if you want to try a truly unforgettable experience, enjoy a breathtaking climb on Skyway Mont Blanc cable-car: A stop at the intermediate Pavillon station to discover the Saussurea Alpine Botanical Garden, the highest in Europe, and then on…up to the 3,466 metres t of Point Helbronner, magnificent terrace on the glaciers.

Here, considering the temperatures, motorcycling outfits will be particularly useful

The first municipality in the Aosta Valley is Pont-Saint-Martin. After passing the municipalities of Donnas, the fort of Bard, Hône, Arnad, Verrès and Montjovet, the short climb of the "Mongiovetta" begins which takes you to Saint-Vincent and then to Châtillon. Then after crossing Chambave, Champagne (Verrayes) and Nus, you arrive at the gates of Aosta, where the state road becomes two lanes in each direction in the municipalities of Quart and Saint-Christophe (commercial area).

After a possible stop in Aosta, having passed the Aosta Valley capital (Corso Ivrea, Via Roma and Via Parigi with numerous roundabouts) and after the crossroads which leads to the Great Saint Bernard state road N. 27, the road 26 continues westwards and crosses Sarre (crossroads for Cogne), Saint-Pierre, Villeneuve (crossroads for Introd and the valleys of Rhêmes and Valsavarenche), Arvier, Léverogne (crossroads for Valgrisenche), passes near Derby (fraction of La Salle), crosses  La Salle and then Morgex until you reach Pré-Saint-Didier (crossroads for La Thuile and, in summer, for the Little Saint-Bernard pass). From here continue to Courmayeur.

To return you can opt for the transfer route along the A5 motorway, which crosses the entire central valley, from Courmayeur to Pont-Saint-Martin. You will find indicated all the toll booths and exits that you may need to reach the starting points of the motorbike itineraries or to return home at the end of your excursions.