It starts from the small village of Thumel, waymark n.11; after crossing the creek, we begin a long but enjoyable uphill in a forest of conifers (spruce, larch and stone pine) to get up to the huts of the Vaudaletta, subject of an important process of functional recovery by the park authority. From the naturalistic point on view the area is very interesting: it's possible to sight camois, marmots, rock ptarmigan and the mountain vegetation is well represented. The more experienced can continue towards the Leynir hill, from where a spectacular view on the Rhêmes Valley and on Gran Paradiso w
From Ronco Canavese, main village of the Soana Valley, where the Visitors Centre dedicated to traditions and biodiversity in the valley is located, you can take the path to the Nivolastro village, one of the best examples of alpine architecture in the Soana Valley. Along the whole path it's easy to get suggestions on the social life of the past: you can observe the special votive chapels built for protection and resting of travellers as well as a distinctive abreuvoir just before the village.
Simple loop hike that allows you to enter in the wide valley of Valeille, dominated by glaciers. Through a beautiful forest of larches and spruces, populated by numerous songbirds and squirrels, you reach a balcony facing the beautiful waterfall of Lillaz: here we recommend you to follow the various waterfalls along the path, sometimes steep, that enter back in Lillaz near the hydroelectric station.
Departure from the main hamlet of Rhêmes Notre Dame with clear signs, passed the Dora di Rhêmes, climb up the Entrelor valley. Don't consider the deviations to the Sort valley or to the Chaudanne village and after some uphill sections in the woods you will come close to the precious Entrelor alpine pasture, also called Pian delle marmotte. Entering the Valley you reach the next characteristic pasture called Plan de Feye where wildlife sightings, particularly Chamois and marmots are frequent.
Departure from Piamprato Soana from where take the dirt road that leaves the village and crosses the first meadows to then go along the stream. Passed the turn-off to the Colle della Ballard, continue along the track, going through some bends to coast Grange Prariond, then continue until a small parking lot. From here keep going on the trail up to the Grange Ciavanassa, bypassing on the right. Along the margin, a larch forest, you arrive at a second building to then bend to the left towards the engraving of the Royal Canal.
The frogs reign. There are many surprises in a mountain hike: after an ascent suddenly a valley, a waterfall and a stream occur, crossed by a wooden bridge, larch trees, votive chapels, steep ravines, small lakes among pasture and roche moutonnée, aerial panorama, showy blooming.. but be careful: the frog life need to be respected: do not collect tadpoles!
If you want, it's possible to climb up more over the Bardoney valley and reach the Loie lake to then go down to Lillaz on a route, sometimes steep, but definitely panoramic.
Leave the car in the parking lot in Thumel, continue along the road until you reach the path with the waymark 12. Crossing a bridge, take the path on the left; passed the Dora di Rhêmes through a gangway, go forward into the Valley of the Gran Vaudala torrent. After a steep climb, you reach a plateau where you come across the Gran Vaudala Alp. Now, once arrived to a fork in the road, continue along the same path on the left.
After parking in the confortable car park in Chiapili di sotto, next to the ski-lift or around the equipped area just ahead, continue along the street that goes to the Nivolet Hill, during the winter period it can be travelled over with skis or snowshoes. Simple route that winds between the two slopes of the high Orco Valley which offers a wonderful view over the high Valley near peaks bordering with the french Vanoise National Park. Crystalline forests of conifers north facing, grasslands covered with snow south-facing, peaks, valleys and glaciers all around offer one of the most magnifice
1h 30’ (to reach in Chaussettaz) + 40’ to reach Casotto del Sort
Trail sign:
8C
Season:
Summer
Valley:
Rhêmes Valley
Sometimes you find places of old legends that seem to have reflection in the atmosphere breathed. The Cucco Castle, rocky outcrop topped by an iron cross, was said to be a place frequented by witches who celebrated the Sabbath ... A little higher up, you can also see many trees singed ... strucked by lightnings? Who knows!
The itinerary starts from the charming village of Eaux Rousses (French for "red water", for the typical ferruginous water flowing in the area); After crossing the Creek and alpine pastures of Savara Valley, along the former royal hunting lodge road, climb up into a mature forest of larch and spruce, where the beauty of some trees there doesn't have to distract us from the observation of the presence of the typical inhabitants of the place, from the squirrel to the black woodpecker. Found the path that climbs from Tignet, continue until you see the Levionaz Dessous pasture, probably the most
It is like entering another dimension, full of enchanted landscapes, white silence, muffled snow that envelops the landscapes. Nature in winter is a sight to see slowly, letting incredible emotions go in peace. The visible path to Cà bianca is taken from the hamlet Moies, on the eastern flank of the Valley, before reaching the town centre of Ceresole reale. The route passes through fragrant coniferous forests initially mixed with deciduous, to then be represented only by welcoming larches and red spruces, up to the Ca ' Bianca Alp.
3 (to Croce Arolley-Piani Nivolet), 3-3a (to Pian Borgno)
Trail sign:
3 (per Croce Arolley-Piani Nivolet), 3-3a (per Pian Borgno)
Season:
Summer
Valley:
Valsavarenche
A journey to discover step by step! The mountains often reserve surprises: along narrow paths among rocky walls it's not expected to be faced with a wide valley, where a clear stream flows sluggishly, drawing numerous meanders... The Nivolet plateau inspires indeed the perception of grandiose nature work, that fears only the man's action.
Not to be missed:
- waterfall of the Nivolet torrent
- alpine pastures
- vegetation of the cliffs
- chamois and marmottes
3h 15’ (to arrive to the Lakes); 2 h (to the royal hunting house Orveille)
Trail sign:
8
Season:
Summer
Valley:
Valsavarenche
Departure from Dégioz, Valsavarenche main town, cross the river Savana and arrive to Vers le Bois village, from which branches off the historic mule track to the former royal hunting House of Orvieille. The wood to cross and the basin pasture around the former Royal household have remarkable nature spots, but only the mule-track and the royal house are the strength of the first part of this route, steeped in history and strongly linked to the tradition of royal hunts of King Vittorio Emanule II.
You cannot visit the Val Soana in winter without having gone to Boschietto and Boschiettiera: high-altitude villages dominated by the elegant Tower pyramid Lavina from its 3308m. A walk with snowshoes to enter into the magic of forest along snow-covered trails. The two villages are situated on the edge of an alpine pasture, which is reached by a leisurely walk along the mule-track that crosses an old forest rich both in conifers and broadleaf.
A few km before the village of Pont,nearby the Terré alpine pasture, cross the torrent Savara and, passing the Pravioux pasture, begins the climb in a scented forest of larch and stone pine, one of the favorite locations of the black grouse in this valley. After a series of hairpin bends and uphil in the forest, you arrive finally in the alpine meadow, gratified by a lovely view on the peaks of the Park, thus reaching the Chabod hut. The features are many, but the scenic and alpine aspect are definitely prevailing.
Once you leave the car in the confortable square of Campiglia Soana, take the clear dirt road that leads to the Pian dell'Azaria. The path, simple and undemanding, presents only a few climb needed to reach the broad plateau of the basin, at the foot of the rocky ridges of Rancio. A typical deciduous forest mixes with conifers to then show only beautiful specimens of spruce and larch forests up to Barmaion. In addition to the alpine pasture, the forest gives way to the alpine meadow covered with snow, on which it's easy to sight quiet chamois grazing.
The route begins just before the entrance of Rovenaud village, parked the car in the large square, after crossing the village, the impressive range of snow-capped mountains in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park begins to be outlined. The village is of good architectural interest and its arrangement, at a vast grassy area margin, grows it's aesthetic value. Follow the path into a forest of larches and spruces where a careful observer will note the presence of small locals (many species of birds and squirrels).
Simple loop hike that starts from the parking lot of Lillaz, gives the opportunity to face, following a farm road, the Valley of Valeille, dominated by Sengie and Valeille glaciers.
Upstream of the Pont-Valsavarenche village, left the car in the large parking lot of the Hotel Gran Paradiso, pass the bridge over Savara on the left and walk on a wide part of the plain in Seyraz Valley, up to the Tétras Lyre hut. The trail, well marked and very popular, then climbs in the larch forest until you reach a dominant rocky balcony, from which one can notice the whole Amphitheater of the abovementioned valley.
Although Valnontey is one of the most popular areas of the Cogne valley, you just need to enter in the valley, starting from the big car park of the hamlet, and follow the path on the right orographic side, to breathe the wilderness of the park in its entirety: small forests and clearings alternate and offer the opportunity to easily observe grazing wild animals. At the first bridge (Ponte della Leuttaz) it's suggested to move on the left orographic side and keep going following the cross-country track, without trample, ultil Valmianaz.
