Sport Itineraries: Saint-Denis

Chambave is a place famous for its wines. From here you take the road for Saint-Denis, where the Castle of Cly (11th century) is located and where mediaeval pageants are held in the summer. You continue uphill along the road which crosses the Col de Saint-Pantaléon, leading to Torgnon.
Torgnon is an ancient village with numerous scattered hamlets that still retain the features of Alpine architecture. The village lies in a sunny position with splendid views of the Matterhorn. From here you go downhill towards Antey-Saint-André from where you can reach La Magdeleine or continue on as far as Breuil Cervinia. The descent, on the other hand, continues down as far as Châtillon, a village, which extends over a vast hollow on the slopes of the Valtournenche.

Places you go through on the route:
- Chambave (520 m )
- Saint-Denis 4 km (830 m)
- Petit Brusson 8.3 km (1140 m)
- Col San Pantaleone 16.4 km (1,650 m)
- Torgnon 19.7 km (1530 m)
- Antey-Saint-André 26.1 km (1,045 m)
- Covalu Hydro-electric power station 30.2 km (780 m )
- Chatillon 33.6 km (530 m)
- Pontey junction 35.7 km (460 m)
- Chambave 38.6 km (520 m)

The path is almost flat with some ups and downs and develops along a ridge covered with spruce, larch and scotch pine, with undergrowth of crowberry, juniper and rhododendron, enjoying glimpses of the Valtournenche and Matterhorn on one side and, on the other, the centre of the Aosta valley marked out by the Dora river, as far as Mont Blanc. There are also some benches that allow you to enjoy the beautiful landscape. Shortly one reaches the plateau surrounding the chapel of Saint-Evence; it is a peaceful place, with a magnificent view over near and distant peaks, and over so many dwellings that, on the clearest of days, one should spot no fewer than 36 bell towers.