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Well known and loved by skiers who flock to the region's five ski areas every winter, an Aosta Valley summer holiday provides alternative ways to explore the Italian alps. Despite being Italy's smallest region, Aosta is blessed with beautiful natural sites, beginning with spectacular views of the Alps.
When summer comes to Aosta the melting snow reveals a network of hiking trails alongside cycle routes and a varied landscape that is home to a host of other outdoor activities. Overlooked by the four iconic 4,000m peaks of the Alps, including Europe's highest, Mont Blanc, this is a region studded with picturesque mountain villages, 100 castles, some dating back to the 11th century, and an elegant capital city, Aosta. It's also home to Italy's first National Park, Gran Paradiso, established in 1922 and which is home to 59 glaciers. Now it's a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts seeking nature-based and sustainable tourism experiences.
The area's astonishingly rich natural and cultural heritage is complemented by delectable local cuisine featuring cheeses, cured meats, mountain game, and high-altitude wines.
Where is the Aosta Valley?
The smallest region of Italy, Aosta Valley is located in the north west corner of the country and is bordered by France and Switzerland. It's also overlooked by some of Europe's highest peaks: the Matterhorn (known in Italy as Cervino), Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc, which at 15,781ft, is the highest mountain in Europe.
Its main resorts are Courmayeur, La Thuile, Cogne, Pila, Cervinia, Champoluc and Gressoney, along with the regional capital, Aosta itself.
Road-linked to France by the Mont-Blanc Tunnel and the Pass du Petit-Saint-Bernard and to Switzerland via the Grand-Saint-Bernard Pass and Tunnel, and with Turin, Milan and Geneva airports all within easy reach, the Aosta Valley resorts are among the easiest to get to from the UK, making it an ideal destination for a weekend or short break.
Is the Aosta Valley good for summer visitors?
This region boasts stunning mountains, dense forests, lush pastures, serene lakes, rushing torrents, and breathtaking waterfalls. Enhanced by so much extraordinary nature, cultural heritage dating back to Roman times, and an excellent choice of restaurants, there's an impressive range of outdoor activities to enjoy. A vast natural playground for everyone, the Aosta Valley offers a wide range of activities and outdoor sports, From mountaineering to leisurely walks, biking, or hot air ballooning, as well as rafting, canoeing, golf, and more.
Here's our guide to the best things to do in the Aosta Valley in summer.
Walking in the Aosta Valley
From leisurely strolls to high-mountain challenges, the Aosta Valley is home to a network of more than 2,000 walking trails, including some of the best walking holidays in Italy. With trails surrounded by 4,000m summits featuring beautiful chapels, delightful hamlets, alpine nature and spectacular mountain vistas, the options for outdoor enthusiasts are plentiful.
You can choose one-day excursions or multi-day treks, such as the Alte Vie trails or the international tours around the highest peaks of the Alps. You can also discover the five stages of the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley, or walk along the Cammino Balteo, ideal in spring and autumn.
Three of the best walks and hikes in Aosta Valley:
Alta Via Trail 1
Alta Via Trail 1, known as the 'The Giants’ Trail', is a multi-day trekking route through incomparable mountain scenery, across the foothills of some of the highest peaks in Europe such as Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Extending from Donnas to Courmayeur, the route through the mountains to the left of the River Dora Baltea, has 17 daily stages, each with about 3-5 hours walking time, with stop-offs for all needs: camping sites, mountain huts, refuges, hotels and hostels.
An ideal summer route, it crosses medium and high altitude mountain areas, passing through wildflower meadows and pasturelands, woodlands and rocky outcrops, at an average altitude of around 2,000m, often reaching almost 3,000m. The route also offers superb examples of rural architecture such as the traditional Walser buildings in the Gressoney Valley and the upper reaches of the Ayas Valley.
Alta Via Trail 1 can be walked by anyone since it follows well-marked and fully signposted footpaths. Experienced mountain walkers will be able to walk its whole length, while less-experienced or casual hikers may prefer to walk the short, lower altitude stretches.
• An alternative route - Alta Via Trail 2 - known as 'the Nature Trail', is a 14-day trek on the right bank of the Dora Baltea, passing mostly through the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park, wild areas of magnificent landscapes where numerous examples of alpine flora and fauna are to be found, including some of the rarest species.
Cammino Balteo
A circular hiking trail of just under 220 miles that crosses the entire Aosta Valley. From Pont-Saint-Martin to Morgex, return, there are a total of 23 stages from 4–6 hours each, passing through 46 towns, with almost the entire route located in medium mountains ranging from 500m and 1,900m in altitude, therefore making the route accessible throughout the year.
While it's a glorious immersion in nature - lakes, waterfalls, nature reserves and wooded areas - the Cammino Balteo is so much more than a nature hike, it's a journey through time, dating back to Roman and medieval times. Explore the architecture of the villages and discover vibrant local traditions. There are options to visit castles, or taste local products along the way.
Via Francigena
Hiking the Via Francigena means taking a journey through ancient villages and past historic castles, impressive churches and important reminders of the Roman era, all against the backdrop of the Alps. You will also find vineyards creating prestigious wines, and areas renowned for local produce such as prosciutto di Bosses and lardo di Arnad.
The route is divided into five stages starting at the Swiss side of the Great Saint-Bernard pass, proceeding down along the Great Saint-Bernard valley towards Aosta, the region’s capital and a city steeped in Roman history, before moving on along the central valley to Pont-Saint-Martin where you leave the Aosta Valley to enter the Piedmont region.
Stage no. 1 is best attempted in summer when snow is likely to be absent at the pass, but the central valley stages are suitable for every season, even for a 2 or 3-day discovery trek.
For more information about all of these fantastic hiking routes and more, go to aosta-valley.co.uk
Biking and cycling in the Aosta Valley
Whether your tastes run to road cycling, mountain bike routes or freeride descents, Aosta Valley has you covered, with routes of all type that are among the best cycle routes in Italy.
For road riders, the Aosta Valley has many fun and scenic routes, from the most accessible - along the the valley floor or among vineyards and castles - to the most challenging, that will lead you up to the great alpine passes. The Aosta Valley is often used as a leg of the Giro d’Italia and offers 21 routes on inland roads providing many scenic and panoramic rides amidst spectacular scenery.
The region is also home to a wide selection of MTB routes to discover. Forest paths, mule tracks and farm roads form a network of more than 1,000 kilometres of dirt trails, many of which are suitable for mountain biking. Attention is recommended since these routes are also frequented by hikers.
Cogne Valley, a corner of unspoiled nature in the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park, is the perfect destination for MTB tours for every skill level, including e-bikers. Cogne boasts 45 kilometres of trails, some of which wind through the Gran Paradiso National Park, while the Monterosa area offers a plethora of routes at the base of Monte Rosa. There are plenty of routes to explore in other resorts including Cervinia, Courmayeur and Gressoney-La-Trinité.
For lovers of thrilling downhill and freeride descents, unleash your desire for speed in downhill adrenalin-fuelled and fun technical trails of the bike parks. Pila, La Thuile, Breuil-Cervinia and other stations for a gravity bike in the Aosta Valley offer itineraries for all bikers.
Three of the best bike routes:
Road cycling
Cyclotour: Aosta – Great St Bernard Pass
This 35km excursion, with 1,883m of elevation, is definitely a hard climb by bike but with views that more than repay the effort. Starting from Aosta the route takes riders through several villages including Gignod, which features a picturesque church with a Gothic entrance, the mediaeval village of Étroubles, and, a few kilometres on, Saint-Oyen, a small village with traditional Val d’Aosta style houses. Just a few metres across the Pass, on the Swiss side, stands the famous hospice where they bred St Bernard dogs. After the tunnel, the road climbs into a high mountain environment and is less busy. You can find refreshment at the pass and along the route with various fountains.
Cyclotour: Aymavilles – Lillaz (Cogne)
A chance to discover the beautiful Val de Cogne, part of the protected area of the Gran Paradiso National Park. The start at Aymavilles is at the entrance to the valley and is famed for its vine-growing. The 23km climb heads out towards Cogne, which is considered the capital of the Gran Paradiso. Cogne used to be an important mining centre and can boast a rich past in terms of history, culture and traditions. The old mining village is home to the National Park Visitors’ Centre. The route, with 970m difference in height, will take experienced riders about 75mins, and finishes in the hamlet of Lillaz where you can admire the beautiful waterfalls with its three cascades descending over 150m.
Ciclotour: Brusson - Saint-Jacques - Antagnod - Brusson
A partly circular 31km route to discover the Val d'Ayas which starts and ends in Brusson and culminates at 1,670m above sea level in Saint-Jacques. Among the resorts ticked off will be names familiar to many winter visitors to the Monterosa ski area, including Champoluc and Antagnod. The height difference here is a mere 500m but with plenty of gentle descending as well as some steady climbing.
MTB
Grand tour of the Cime Bianche upper hill
Explore the landscape around Breuil-Cervinia on this 18km technical route, graded difficult, on a mix of mixed asphalt, dirt track and cycle path. Starting at the Breuil cable car, you go uphill along a dirt road enjoying a sequence of steep but always do-able ascents which bring you close to the artificial lake of Goillet before arriving at Cime Bianche Laghi, at 2,831m metres. You can also take the cable car for this stretch instead. Continue up the dirt road towards the Cime Bianche hill. At 200m above the cable car station, you can look out over the Rollin basin and the Gran Lago. On reaching the summit, the long descent to the mountain station of the Salette Du Col cable car begins, which includes an uphill section where you carry your bike, before the final descent towards the former bobsleigh slope in Cervinia.
In Gran Paradiso Park... Valnontey
A fairly easy 12km out and back route with stunning views of the Gran Paradiso. You start from Cogne and head steadily uphill, on mostly unpaved footpaths, towards Valnontey. Shortly after the village you pass three tiny hamlets to reach the high point at the Vermiana mountain pasture (1,731 m), before starting the descent back to Cogne. You're advised to cycle at walking pace along the trails, through the S. Orso meadows and on the Cogne-Champong lower footpath as these routes are used by families with pushchairs, the disabled and the elderly.
Invergneux pass
The jewel in Cogne Valley’s crown for MTB lovers. This 33km route out and back from Lillaz is both physically and technically difficult. One section in particular, just after the crossroads for Invergneux pass, is especially tough: more experienced bikers will be able to pedal for certain sections, everyone else will be carrying their bikes! also, coming down, the trail includes two options towards the village of Gimillan: the first one is easier, passing through Révèntì, the second one from the pass to the Pila mountain pasture is more technically difficult and is only recommended for advanced bikers with suitable gear.
Watersports in the Aosta Valley
During the summer months, Aosta Valley comes alive with its vibrant Alpine torrents, offering a host of water-based activities such as canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and hydrospeed, giving watersports enthusiasts adrenalin experiences, among fast-flowing water and natural slides. Expert guides cater to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts, providing specialised programs categorised by difficulty and duration. Additionally, there are designated trails tailored specifically for children, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the thrill of navigating these fiery waters.
If you're into canyoning, the Aosta Valley is definitely the place to be. This unique blend of water sports and mountaineering techniques, offers an exhilarating experience of navigating otherwise inaccessible mountain streams nestled between steep rock walls. Throughout the descent, participants negotiate various obstacles such as small waterfalls, pools, natural slides, and rock walls. It's a great way to cool off while exploring pristine environments.
Climbing and via ferrata in the Aosta Valley
Via ferrata is Italian for ‘route with irons’, and the ferrate are mountain routes pre-equipped with fixed cables, steps (stemples), ladders and bridges, allowing walkers and climbers to access terrain without needing to use their own ropes and belays – and without the risks associated with unprotected scrambling. There are around 20 via ferrate of various difficulty, including one in Gressoney-Saint- Jean which is called the Via ferrate dei Bambini (Children's Via Ferrata), but which is actually not suitable for children as they generally cannot reach far enough to secure fastenings! On the other hand the Via Ferrata Harry Potter in Gressoney La Trinité is ideal for children as it's essentially a rock school with a reinforced practice iron wall.
A more classic Via Ferrata route is the Borelli bivouac trail from Courmayer which takes you up to Aiguille Noire de Peuterey, one of the symbols of mountain climbing in the region.
Cultural highlights of the Aosta Valley
Aosta Valley is a treasure trove for history buffs, bearing the marks of five centuries of Roman presence, including remnants of the road to the Gauls, the aqueduct bridge of Pondel, and most notably, the city of Aosta itself. You can also find prehistoric megalithic monuments and over 100 medieval castles, towers and fortresses. Over the centuries, these buildings have undergone multiple transformations, evolving into Renaissance palaces, Romanesque churches, and baroque structures.
The city of Aosta, the capital of the Aosta Valley and gateway to the Alps, was founded by the Romans in 25 BC and maintains a distinctly Roman urban layout, evident within its walls and key structures.
One other must-see building is the Fort of Bard. Preserved almost entirely since its reconstruction, the fort is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century dam fortress, and was one of the most important military establishments in Aosta Valley. Today, the fort houses the Museum of the Alps, the Children's Alps, and a museum of prisons and fortifications.
For more information about visiting the spectacular Aosta Valley, go to aosta-valley.co.uk, and to book your stay in Aosta Valley go to bookingvalledaosta.it
