Tucked into the northwest corner of Italy, the Aosta Valley is one of the Alps' most dramatic and underrated walking destinations. Surrounded by the highest peaks in Western Europe — Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa — this autonomous region offers an extraordinary concentration of alpine scenery, from glaciated high passes and ancient Roman roads to the medieval monasteries of the Grand St Bernard and the medieval fortress of Forte di Bard.

With walks suited to beginners and experienced mountain walkers alike, this first edition Cicerone guidebook by Andy Hodges covers 32 routes from 4 to 20km (2 to 12 miles), taking between 1 and 6 hours to complete. Route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with summaries of via ferrata and trail-running options included throughout.

• 32 walks and scrambles across six areas, covering the main valley, the Lys valley, Valtournenche, Valpelline, the Great St Bernard Pass and Courmayeur, with routes ranging from short leisurely walks to challenging scrambles bordering on mountaineering
• Route highlights include views of Mont Blanc from the Rifugio Bonatti, the balcony routes above Cervinia with Matterhorn views, the Grand St Bernard Monastery, which has welcomed travellers for over a thousand years, and the Roman road at Forte di Bard
• Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc massif are covered with routes including Mont de la Saxe, Mont Chétif and the Tour of the Pyramides Calcaires, offering some of the finest alpine panoramas accessible to walkers in the Italian Alps
• Via ferrata and trail running summaries provide options for those seeking a greater challenge, making this a versatile walking guidebook to the Aosta Valley 
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every route, with practical information on accommodation, public transport, and wildlife throughout

The Aosta Valley sits at the crossroads of three of the Alps' greatest peaks, yet remains quieter and less visited than its French and Swiss neighbours. This guidebook opens up a region that rewards every walker who takes the time to explore it.

Walking in the Aosta Valley - Quick Facts

Area: Aosta Valley, northwest Italy 
Total routes: 32 
Walk distances: 4 to 20km (2 to 12 miles) 
Walk duration: 1 to 6 hours 
Difficulty: All abilities, from short leisurely walks to challenging scrambles bordering on mountaineering; normal walking equipment sufficient for most routes 
Areas covered: Main valley, Lys valley, Valtournenche, Valpelline, Great St Bernard Pass, Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc massif 
Route highlights: Rifugio Bonatti and Mont Blanc panorama, Mont de la Saxe, Mont Chétif, Cervinia balcony routes (Matterhorn views), Via Francigena to Grand St Bernard Monastery, Forte di Bard Roman road, Punta Indren and Indren glacier crossing 
Key landmarks: Grand St Bernard Monastery, Forte di Bard, Castel Savoia, Walser villages of the Lys valley 
Surrounding peaks: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa 
Additional activities: Via ferrata and trail running summaries included 
Mapping: 1:50,000 maps included for every route 
Digital navigation: Downloadable GPX files included 
Centres: Gressoney St Jean, Cervinia, Courmayeur, Valpelline, Aosta 
Best season: Lower walks Easter to late October; mountain walks late June to late September 
Special features: Notes on wildlife, plants, history, art and culture; Italian phrase guide; accommodation and public transport information

Author Highlight

"With a backdrop of pure white peaks, each of the valleys that forms the saw-toothed ridge separating Italy and Switzerland is waiting to welcome you. While the highest peaks 
may be beyond the regular hillwalker, the region welcomes walkers of all standards and plenty of summits are within the abilities of regular walkers, each walk offering views to last a lifetime."

- Andy Hodges, author of Walking in the Aosta Valley

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

Geography

Geology

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

Weather

History

Art and culture

Trail running

Places of interest

When to go

Access and travel

Accommodation

Clothing

Food and drink

Language

Maps and navigation

Waymarking

Safety and emergencies

Insurance

Using this guide

Main Valley

Route 1 Forte di Bard and the Roman road, Donnas

Route 2 Napoleon’s diversion route

Lower Lys Valley

Route 3 Plan des Sorcières and Col Portola

Route 4 The Two Monts: Mont Roux and Mont Bechit

Route 5 Colma di Mombarone

Route 6 Mont Mars traverse

Upper Lys Valley

Route 7 Via Regina to Castel Savoia

Route 8 Punta Regina: the queen’s peak

Route 9 Alpenzu and the Walser villages

Route 10 Source of the Lys

Route 11 Punta Indren and Indren glacier crossing

Route 12 Bettolina ridge to Rifugio Quintino Sella

Valtournenche and Cervin/Matterhorn

Route 13 Eastern balcony: Cervinia to Valtournenche

Route 14 Western balcony: Cervinia to Valtournenche

Route 15 Becca d’Aran

Valpelline

Route 16 Rifugio Prarayer

Route 17 Ru di-z-Aagne and Fontina

Route 18 Lac Mort

Route 19 Ru du Rey: a marvel of hydro-engineering

Route 20 Pointe Cornet

Route 21 Alta Via 1: Col de Breuson

Route 22 Rifugio and Col Champillon

Great Saint Bernard Pass

Route 23 Via Francigena to Great St Bernard Monastery

Route 24 Mont Fourchon

Route 25 Two Cols

Route 26 Grande Chenalette and Pointe de Drône via ferrata

Upper Aosta Valley – Courmayeur

Route 27 Mont Chétif

Route 28 Mont de la Saxe and Col Sapin

Route 29 Rifugio Bonatti and Mont Blanc panorama

Route 30 Mont Fortin

Route 31 Tour of the Pyramides Calcaires

Route 32 Mont Chétif via ferrata

Appendix A Useful contacts

Appendix B Useful phrases

Appendix C Clothing and equipment

Seasons

The lower walks are feasible from Easter through to late October. The mountain walks really open up from late June through to late September.

Centres

Gressoney St Jean, Valpelline, the Matterhorn Valley and the world-famous Grand St Bernard Monastery

Difficulty

From short walks of around an hour to two-day summits twice the height of Ben Nevis, there's something for everyone and every level of fitness. Normal walking equipment will suffice for almost every walk.

Must See

Forte di Barde guarding the lower valley; the Grand St Bernard Monastery which has welcomed travellers for a thousand years; views of Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc

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