Nature: ** Valle d'Aosta **

The Mont Avic Park, first natural park in the Aosta Valley, preserves since 1989 the natural resources of the upper Chalamy stream valley in the municipality of Champdepraz and, since 2003 the Dondena valley, in the territory of Champorcher.

The protected area is characterised by extremely captivating landscapes and environments only marginally affected by human activities.
Crossing the paths that meander through the protected area gives visitors the chance to come into contact with particularly interesting and various natural aspects: rugged and characteristic geological formations, floral alpine endimisms and peculiar plant associations tied to the green rock substratum. The largest mountain pine forest (pinus uncinata) in the region with a couple dozen ponds, marshes and peat bog, it is unrivalled in number and in extension in the Aosta Valley. All the most widespread alpine animals in the region are represented.

You can hike along the park paths all year round. Most of the paths are snow-covered from November to May and only advisable for experts with appropriate equipment. Some paths can be ridden on horseback or on mountain bike.

Audio guide mp3

This particularly interesting area from a geomorphological and archaeological point of view, the hillock with steep slopes and a flat peak is located to the North-East of Aosta and it is also known locally as “Quota B.P.” (from Baden-Powell, scout founder).

A late Neolithic settlement, dating back to 3000 B.C. was situated at the top of the hill.

The nature reserve extends across 14 hectares at an altitude between 720 - 796 meters and offers typical sceneries of low mountain slopes with southern exposure.
The area is an excellent point for birdwatching during the migratory periods, especially for some birds of prey and corvidae. The reserve is also home to some mammals, reptiles and various invertebrate species.

The area’s climate promotes typically xerophile plant species mainly downy oaks and plants of steppe origin.
This conditions make the reserve’s visit possible all year round, with preference for spring and autumn.

How to get there
From the exit Aosta Est of the A5 motorway, take the national road 26 towards the town. At the second roundabout turn right towards Porossan and go on until the Serod hamlet. Continue following the signs to Saint-Christophe until reaching the little parking at the reserve’s entry.

A glacier lake in a basin, a mosaic of plant species

The small Lolair Lake, 1,175 meters above sea level, is fed by three springs and surrounded by an extensive cane field, roche moutonnée and gentle, rolling hills of glacier origin. The lake is home to a large planktonic population, whose only equal in the region is Lozon, and vegetation of significant worth.
The natural reserve of Lake Lolair has been formally identified as a "quiet area", a natural area far from noise pollution for total immersion in quiet: an authentic silence, interrupted only by the sounds of the earth, the wind, the animals. A precious oasis, perfect for slow excursions and regenerative moments.

Flora
The pond hosts numerous floating species like the Floating pondweed (Potamogeton natans) and Aquatic bladderwort (Utricularia australis). Near the shores and channels grow buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) and, along the brooks, rich populations of Yellow Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) and Water Avens (Geum rivale). The dry Western slope is characterised by xerophile vegetation with Savin Juniper (Juniperus sabina), flowering Common Rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium) and, in the long abandoned fields, the main alpine station of the rare Pennsylvania cinquefoil (Potentilla pensylvanica).

Fauna
It is easy to glimpse a Golden eagle, Goshawk or Buzzard on the rocky cliffs and, around the lake, typically aquatic birds like wild ducks, that nest here, and gallinules.
In and around the pond live amphibians and reptiles like the common toad (Bufo bufo) and grassa snake (Natrix natrix) while the lake waters are populated by tenches, invertebrates and numerous insect families.

How to get there
Driving on the regional road 26 from Arvier to Courmayeur, turn left following the signs for Leverogne - Valgrisenche and go on until you reach La Ravoire hamlet.
Some paths also start in the Baise Pierre hamlet.

From a naturalistic point of view, the area around Pont d’Ael offers an interesting variety of flora and fauna. It is in fact a special conservation area protected under the European “Natura 2000” network.

Crossing the Roman aqueduct-bridge, there are arid grasslands, abandoned agricultural terraces, alternating with sparse forests of oak and Scots pine, where plant species of steppe and Mediterranean origin grow, such as the_Achillea tomentosa_. There are also some orchids, including the rare Cephalanthera damasonium.

The large quantity of butterflies is also of considerable interest: in addition to the endemic Polyommatus humedasae 96 diurnal species have been counted.

Upstream of the arid prairies rise the rocky walls that form the south-eastern slope of Mount Pognon on which birds of prey such as the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon nest.

Downstream from the village, the Grand’Eyvia torrent creates a shaded gorge with very steep walls, with microclimatic conditions of greater humidity where a forest very rare in the Aosta valley grows with a prevalence of linden, maple and ash trees.

Beautiful blooms in the peace of a wild environment

This regional reserve was established in 2013 and is located entirely within the territory of the municipality of Bionaz. It covers an area of over 1,100 hectares that extends from the valley floor at 1,573 meters altitude to the Becca-des-Arbyères at 3,321 meters.

Located on the left side of Buthier creek, the valley offers visitors the typical landscapes of alpine and subalpine environments, with a prevalence of mixed forests of larch and spruce trees; from the confluence with the Montagnayes creek to the border with Oyace are “wooded cliffs”, an interesting zone where silver firs appear, unusual for this environment.
Moving up to the ridges, the woods give way to dwarf bushes, pastures and alpine meadows with rare species of flora for all the Alps and the region.

A wildlife protection oasis in the past, the reserve is home to chamois, ibex, deer and roe deer, hares and marmots, predators such as foxes, badgers, martens, weasels and birds of prey such as the golden eagle and the pygmy owl. Also amphibians, reptiles and many butterflies inhabit this rich and unspoiled natural environment.

Summer is the best time to visit the reserve and admire beautiful blooms (gentian acaule, Turk’s cap lily, rhododendron crowberry and other alpine flowers) immersed in the peace of a wild environment. Especially in September and October, when the fir and larch woods are tinged with the colors of autumn days, a hike in the valley of Montagnayes offers exceptional views.
During the winter, however, a thick blanket of snow and the danger of avalanches make this area inaccessible and its use discouraged.

How to get there
From Aosta, take SS 27 Great Saint Bernard to the Variney junction and then get on regional road 28 up to Bionaz, from where you will continue heading toward lake Place Moulin until you get to the village of Ferrère and park your car.
The tours to the pasture of Arp-Damon (1h30 - trail 15) and Bivouac Chentre-Bionaz (3h - trail 14) start from Ferrère.

At the bottom of the central valley, a highly interesting ecological habitat

Location: on the Dora Baltea river, at Brissogne municipality.

The nature reserve extends across 35.4 hectares at an altitude between 526 - 532 meters.
The riparian mid-central valley environment, located in an area formerly occupied by a bend in the Dora Baltea river, is characterised by two quarry lakes with mainly naturally re-populated shores.
The reserve is the most important regional stop over and feeding ground for migratory birds. Many species also nest here. The reserve is home to amphibians, reptiles and, in the lake waters, tenches and pikes.
The vegetation, representative of the ancient riparian landscape now receded from almost the entire valley, is made up of marsh cane, reeds, sedge and a few prominent plants such as the Dwarf bulrush.

How to get there
From Aosta, follow State road 26 towards Turin and turn right at the Brissogne bridge. Go on walking along the Dora Baltea river, until you’ll reach the reserve entry, indicated by an explanatory board.

A glacial lake, with water from the subsoil, a niche of interesting species

The Lake Villa nature reserve was established in 1982 and covers 25 hectares at altitudes between 810 and 980 meters.

An oasis of peace where you can listen to the sounds of nature and admire the surrounding mountains. It is interesting to visit it in every season, to admire the colors of the changing leaves, as well as the plant and animal species that inhabit it.

Here is some information on the protected area:

• Environment: low mountain lake-marsh basin characterised by a clear contrast between the marshy lake area and surrounding dry area.
• Fauna: the nature reserve represents the main reproduction station on the regional level for the common toad. Some of the local reptiles include the lizard and the coluber while the fish fauna is made up of cyprinids and eels.
• Flora: the lake waters are home to two floating plants, rare in Valle d’Aosta, the white waterlily and the amphibian lily. The reed field is mainly populated by marsh reeds. Shrubs include hygrophilous woods near the shores and Scots pine and downy oaks on the surrounding sunny slopes.

It may be interesting to combine a visit to Lake Villa with a walk along path 11 which connects Lake Villa to Col d'Arlaz (along stage 6 of the Cammino Balteo trail, Challand-Saint-Victor - Saint-Vincent path) to discover the artistic path with works created using natural materials.

Accessibility
The lake site can be reached by everyone, even by people with disabilities: in the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the path that leads to the lake, there is in fact a parking lot for the disabled and the road surface has been completely paved, to also allow wheelchairs to move comfortably. However, it is recommended that you be accompanied and use an outdoor wheelchair or one with wheels suitable for uneven terrain.

How to get there
The municipal road which leads to the site is well indicated at the junction, along the regional road 45 of the Ayas Valley, after the village of Challand-Saint-Victor (a signboard indicates “Natural Reserve of Lake Villa”). 2,5 km after this junction, you will reach a small parking located directly on the side of the road. There you will find a signboard with the description of the site and its principal trails.

Located in Chevrère, in the village of Covarey, the Mont Avic Regional Park visitors centre includes:

- an information point where you can watch films and admire pictures of the park on the large video wall, receive detailed information and publications on Mont Avic and the entire protected alpine area network and consult nature publications;

- a nature museum that describes the Park’s rocky environments, wetlands and forests, involving visitors with interactive systems;

-a multipurpose room where educational activities, films, meetings and temporary exhibits are held;

- a model in 1:5000 scale, located on the lawn, that faithfully reproduces the park and its surroundings.

Brochures and pamphlets are available in the outdoor distributor even when the information point is closed.

Inside the Centre the map of Mont Avic Park scaled at 1:25,000 can be purchased for 5,00 €; it includes useful information for hikers - in Italian, French and English – and two simplified cartographic inserts.

The building
The visitors centre of the Mont Avic Nature Park was created by restoring ‘Villa Biamonti’, a building constructed in the first years of the 20th century as a tourist residence. The restoration preserved the most characterizing elements of the building, reinterpreting in contemporary terms some of its peculiar features such as the use of wood in the internal spaces. The building was designed with anti-seismic criteria outlining the use of low environmental impact materials as well as the maximum respect of the parameters relating to energy efficiency and rational use of renewable sources.

The visit
The information office and a reception room are located on the ground floor.
The exhibition area, complementary to the Park’s Visitors Centre in Covarey of Champdepraz, was designed with the aim of the active involvement of the guests and describes the geological, morphological and biological aspects of the high altitude environments of the Park.
The first floor is dedicated to the most interesting geological and morphological characteristics of the Dondena valley, with a rich series of photographic images, finds, dynamic and plastic models on which themed maps are projected.
Flora, vegetation, fauna and pastoral activities are illustrated on the second floor. Particularly interesting are the installations about small and large predators, realized using models and finds in a unusual and very original way.

Inside the Centre the map of Mont Avic Park scaled at 1:25,000 can be purchased for 5,00 €; it includes useful information for hikers - in Italian, French and English – and two simplified cartographic inserts.

Why not take up a virtual reality tour in the Mont Avic Nature Park? Without leaving the visitor centre, a guide will show you the natural and panoramic features of the protected area.

The Visitor Center of the Gran Paradiso National Park of Cogne Laboratory Park presents the complex and dynamic evolution of the protected area as in a laboratory of experimentation: explanatory models, multimedia systems, interactive games and an original “sensory space” that offers visitors the opportunity to appreciate the scents of nature and hear the characteristic sounds of the woods.
The main idea revolves around the concept of land use and management, which is only possible by means of an in-depth knowledge of the environmental data.

The themes developed in the Cogne Visitor Center are:

• water: the models show the effects that water has on the territory, they illustrate some flood events and describe the interaction between human settlements and the hydrogeological aspects
• forest and pasture: a “multimedia” immersion into the life of the woodcutter and the simulation of important choices for the maintenance of the forest
• fauna and man: the manner in which man and animals interact.

The center also hosts two interesting thematic set-ups devoted to the wolf and to the ibex, respectively

The exhibition itinerary does not have an obligatory linear pathway: choose your own “path” according to your interests and to the level of in-depth study you wish to make.

Audio guide mp3

In 1856, King Victor Emanuel II declared part of the current park area a Royal Hunting Reserve, thus saving the ibex, whose population was drastically reduced in those years, from extinction. The King created a specialised guard and had paths and mule tracks created that are now hiked by park rangers and tourists. In 1920, King Victor Emanuel III donated the 2,100 hectares of the hunting reserve to Italy to create a national park. Two years later, on December 3, the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, the first Italian National Park, was established. The protected areas was managed by an autonomous commission until 1934, then by the ministry of agriculture and forestry until the end of the Second World War (suffering serious damages during the war) and again by an autonomous institution from 1947. An outline law on parks has been in place since 1991.

The Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso covers a vast mountainous area in the Valley d’Aosta and Piedmont, ranging from altitudes of 800 meters at the valley floor to the 4,061 meter high Gran Paradiso peak. Larch and pine woods, vast alpine prairies, rocks and glaciers create the ideal settings for the rich and varied fauna and for a glimpse of the wonderful mountain world.

The protected area in Valle d’Aosta extends across three valleys: Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes.
The Park provides different opportunities in each season. The park is in full bloom in late spring and summer and is perfect for mountain climbing The leaves turn colour in the fall and the ibex and chamois enter their mating seasons In the winter, the park is covered in snow and is perfect for walks with snow shoes or cross country skiing when it’s easy to see the animals who climb down to the valley to feed.

An Alpine environment offering a great wealth of flora and fauna

The Mont Mars nature reserve was established in 1994. It covers 300 hectares and is located at the head of the Pacoulla stream valley. Follow the farm road from the Pillaz hamlet to the Vargno alp to reach the edge of the reserve. Continue following the paved path marked with a black 2 on a round yellow sign: this is the main path, that crosses the entire reserve from West to East and leads to Col de la Balma (2,259 m) and further to the Oropa Sanctuary in the Biella region.

Geology: glacier origin morphology is prevalent, especially the series of terraced rock basins which currently host small lake and marsh basins. Modest remains of the ancient glacier that occupied the valley until 10,000 years ago are found in the snowfield in the small circle at the foot of the North face of Mont Mars. The dominating rocks are mica schist with white marble stripes and dark basic rocks.

Flora: the vast larch forests are dotted with bushy areas (rhododendron, blueberries, juniper). Higher up are discontinuous fields due to the widespread rocky areas where you can find purple gentian, arnica and nigritella. Doronicum austriacum, rare in Valle d’Aosta, can be found among the rocks. Mountain lilium and alpine betony grow on the sunny cliffs. The bottom of the dry fields beautifully contrast with the wetlands in the Leilong basin where floating reeds and aquatic buttercups thrive.

Fauna: the reserve includes species typical of subalpine, alpine and river plains. In the wetlands and lakes you may catch a glimpse of the grass frog, the char, and the white-throated dipper. Alpine fields and prairies are home to the common grass snake, the crow, the rock pipet, the black redstart, the cuckoo, the woodchuck, the chamois, the hare and the fox. The Ptarmigan and the alpine finch (typical of river valleys) are found on Mont Mars’ Northern face. The reserve is a Golden eagle hunting ground.

How to get to the reserve
From Pont-Saint-Martin follow the signs for Gressoney taking the regional road n. 44.
Once in Fontainemore, after about 1 km, turn right crossing the bridge over the Lys stream and go up the left side for 11 km until you reach Pian Coumarial, where you can park your car and continue on foot.

Two permanent exhibitions have been set up in the visitors centre of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, situated in the centre of the village, a few metres from the regional road to Gressoney.

The fauna of the Nature Reserve
Exhibition dedicated to the fauna of the nature Reserve: marmot, hare, chamois…

The Oropa Procession
Exhibition on the old pilgrimage of the Fontainemore community towards Oropa, whose origins date back to the second half of the XVI century.

Visitors centre of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve
In the centre it is possible to:

• view films and videos on the reserve and the traditions of the village;
• obtain detailed information and materials on the Mont Mars Nature Reserve, on the village of Fontainemore and the entire network of protected Regional areas;
• consult nature reference publications;
• use the multi-purpose room for educational activities, projections, conferences, concerts, events and temporary exhibitions.

Guided excursions are organised in the nature reserve and surrounding territory.

Moulded into a curious shape by the glaciers, a habitat wrapped by sunshine

The elongated spur - the “côte” - originating from deposits of a glacial origin, is one of the most significant elements of this nature reserve, which owes its name to a legend according to which the côte is the little finger of the giant Gargantua, a character invented by Rabelais, buried under a blanket of debris.
An ancient story that accompanies those of the many animal and plant species that live in this typical example of a steppe environment, characterized by grassy-rocky sides and slopes, an arid area with strong sunlight.

Flora
Among the most representative species of the floristic world are the “Artemisia vallesiaca”, a rare aromatic plant and the “Telephium imperati”, of Mediterranean origin.

Fauna
The reserve is an ideal environment for small rodents, birds of prey, passerines, invertebrates and reptiles such as the wall lizard, the green lizard and the rat snake. The entomofauna is particularly rich; in fact, there are numerous species of lepidoptera and beetles typical of arid environments. Thanks to its excellent exposure, the reserve can be visited safely even in the winter months; however, spring and autumn are still the best seasons to enjoy the mild climate and the beautiful colors.

How to Get There
Coming by car from the city center of Aosta, the Côte de Gargantua is clearly visible from the Envers road (road connecting the municipalities of the talweg located on the orographic right side of the Dora Baltea). At the Pont-Suaz roundabout, take the number 20 regional road towards “Gressan - Jovençan - Cogne”. The itineraries that lead to the discovery of the reserve start from different points, but given the limited availability of parking spaces in the small parking lots in the hamlets, it is advisable to leave the car in the areas belonging to the Municipality of Gressan, located on the left side of the road.
By bus: line 5 is available: Aosta - Aymavilles (Gressan town hall stop)

An interesting habitat, a resting place for migratory birds after high altitude journeys

The site, consisting of a short stretch of the Dora Baltea river and its alluvial plain, is located at a height of 890 meters between the villages of La Salle and Morgex and has a typical vegetation of water-rich environments. On the left bank of the river lies a path of approximately 250 m in brushed concrete, as well as a 220 m walkway in the forest on a catwalk in chestnut.

Flora: the banks of the dam are thick with reeds, while at some distance from the water arise alders, willows, poplars. Among the flowers, you can find the yellow buttercup.

Fauna: this area is a stop over for migratory birds linked to wet environments; mallards, moorhens and marsh warblers nest here.

Visit: The best period to visit the Reserve is during the migratory seasons of spring and autumn, not only for the sighting of the ornithological fauna but also for the luxuriance of its woods’ undergrowth.
The visit can start on the left bank, entering from the S.S. 26 state road. Here, a sign with the site plan supplies varied information to welcome the visitor. The shore can be reached in few minutes and from the equipped shed, it is possible to observe the fauna halting over the flooding waters. A well-marked pedestrian path directs the visitor towards an elevated footbridge which crosses the hygrophilous forest until it reaches a small islet at the site’s exit, rich in plant species in full activity. The same path is used for the return.

Scientific and naturalistic research centre
Operational headquarters of the “Regional Museum of Natural Sciences Efisio Noussan” of Saint-Pierre, the centre of scientific and naturalistic research is in the immediate vicinity of the natural reserve of the Marais. The Centre is responsible for the management and maintenance of the collections and the library, the activity of scientific research and teaching.
In the museum labs research projects in various areas are developed and promoted, from the study and conservation of the natural and agricultural biodiversity, enhancement of museum collections, as well as educational and training projects.
The library has over 6000 books, from naturalistic texts to scientific and information journals published by universities, scientific and environmental associations, Italian and foreign museums, obtained primarily in exchange with the “Revue Valdôtaine d’Histoire Naturelle”, published by the Société de la Flore Valdôtaine.

In Aosta Valley there are areas of spontaneous flowering of peonies: the best-known area is the saddle of Col Fenêtre, above Perloz, less frequented but also interesting the territory between Issogne and Arnad.
These wild, autochthonous specimens are protected by a regional law that prohibits their collection.

The flowering of peonia officinalis reaches its peak from the end of the month of May to mid-June, the ideal time to discover these large bright red flowers, as well as to schedule rides along the paths through larches and beeches woods.

The mule track starting from Faye Dessous (1022 m) and passing through the villages of Pessé and Fenêtre until reaching the Col Fenêtre is a highly advisable course, either because of the aspects related to the nature, or to the rural architecture. Worthy of attention are the stone cross and the monumental ash tree located in the hamlet of Pessé, as well as the magnificent circular fountain carved into the stone in Fenêtre.

A small lakeside basin, the precious habitat of rare species

Established in 1994, this nature reserve covers 1.5 hectares. It is located at an altitude of 750 - 790 meters in the municipality of Pont-Saint-Martin, near the Suzey castle.

Flora: the wetlands include marsh reeds and broadleaf cattail. Additionally, it is the only known station in Aosta Valley of spatulaleaf loosestrife.

Fauna: considering the small size of the reserve, it only includes some rare amphibian species of which two newt species.

How to get there
From Pont-Saint-Martin village centre take the regional road towards Gressoney, turning on the right when you find the sign for the Ivery hamlet ; then continue until joining the Holay village.

Located inside the visitors centre of the Gran Paradiso Park in Chanavey, entering the village, with the Granta Parey in the background, the museum tells the history of an extinction, an ambitious project, the return, and perhaps a happy ending for Europe’s largest bird.

The bearded vulture, the lamb vulture, which disappeared from this valley at the turn of the last century and recently returned to spread its impressive wings over the valley skies, is the central theme of this space, where information, images, sounds and multimedia games, inform people about this spectacular animal, as well as about the bird fauna in the park.

In this visitor centre you can also live the ascent to the summit of Gran Paradiso in 360° virtual reality thanks to the multimedia station “Gran Paradiso VR- The experience of Nature”.

In 1856, King Victor Emanuel II declared part of the current park area a Royal Hunting Reserve, thus saving the ibex, whose population was drastically reduced in those years, from extinction. The King created a specialised guard and had paths and mule tracks created that are now hiked by park rangers and tourists. In 1920, King Victor Emanuel III donated the 2,100 hectares of the hunting reserve to Italy to create a national park. Two years later, on December 3, the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, the first Italian National Park, was established. The protected areas was managed by an autonomous commission until 1934, then by the ministry of agriculture and forestry until the end of the Second World War (suffering serious damages during the war) and again by an autonomous institution from 1947. An outline law on parks has been in place since 1991.

The Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso covers a vast mountainous area in the Valley d’Aosta and Piedmont, ranging from altitudes of 800 meters at the valley floor to the 4,061 meter high Gran Paradiso peak. Larch and pine woods, vast alpine prairies, rocks and glaciers create the ideal settings for the rich and varied fauna and for a glimpse of the wonderful mountain world.

The protected area in Valle d’Aosta extends across three valleys: Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes.
The Park provides different opportunities in each season. The park is in full bloom in late spring and summer and is perfect for mountain climbing The leaves turn colour in the fall and the ibex and chamois enter their mating seasons In the winter, the park is covered in snow and is perfect for walks with snow shoes or cross country skiing when it’s easy to see the animals who climb down to the valley to feed.

Lo Ditor: from the calcium springs to the prairies to the alpine forests.

A flooded plain crossed by numerous brooks and the Petit Monde stream - surrounded by wooded peaks, to the North, by a sheer rock wall - this is the Lo Ditor pond, located in the Chavacour valley in the municipality of Torgon at an altitude of about 1,900 meters above seal level.

It was included in the Natura 2000 network due to some extremely interesting habitats, mainly the calcium springs called “Cratoneurion”.

Lo Ditor also includes wet peat bog habitats (of alkaline transition) and others not directly tied to water such as the larch wood, the subalpine prairies and rocky environments.

The landscape is defined by amphitheatre forms, modelled by the ancient glacier that descended from the peaks of Punta Tzan and by the pastoral customs that defined the orderly alternation of prairies and woods.

It takes about one hour to reach the pond.
The site tour path, crossing 2,700 meters with a 160 gradient, is well marked and leads to the peak to provide a spectacular view of the “Lo Ditor” plain thanks to the panorama overlooking the pond. The path continues across the pastures in the valley above.

Completing the entire circuit takes forty five minutes: you should set aside double that time to read the illustrative panels and enjoy the sites’ beauty.

There is also a shorter circuit, walking around the southern edge of the pond, that provides a thorough view of its main aspects.

July and August, at peak bloom, are the best months to visit the park but fall, with its vibrant colours, is ideal if you want to discover the SIC (Site of Community Importance) and its surroundings.

The Visitors Centre Water and Biodiversity in Rovenaud is dedicated to scientific research and environmental education about the preservation of watery ecosystems and of otters.

The centre, in a well-preserved ecosystem, hosts a nice exhibition and proposes visit routes inside and outside, with videos and aquaria in order to be truly ‘immersed’ in a part of the Park where everything is connected with water.

This section of the Park hosts some otters in partial freedom. Once this species was free and present here, but today it almost disappeared because of persecutions and environmental transformations made by men.

Otters, being at the top of the food chain, is the symbol of the problems linked to the preservation of watery environments.

Thus, the visit to the centre outlines the importance of preservation and of the balance between men and environment.

The visitor centre for lovers of the oldest Park in Italy is situated in Dégioz, near the splendid parish church. A meeting point for tourists, the small information centre also houses areas dedicated to two animals who seem to be repopulating this land: the lynx and the wolf.

The Lynx Museum
“It is dusk in the forest. As always, the survival instinct drives the search for food. The lynx’s senses are on alert, leaves camouflage it as it lies in waiting…”
Predators are territorial animals, furtive and curious. It is often difficult to encounter them. Only five carnivorous predators are present in the Gran Paradiso park: from the smallest to the largest these are the weasel, the stoat, the stone marten, the pine marten and the fox. Large predators, such as the wolf and the lynx, often unjustly accused of damage to man or domestic animal, were killed off in the past.
The exhibition shows images of the Park collected by the Associazione Professionale Guide Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso in association with the Fondation Grand Paradis.

The Wolf Space
Spazio Lupo is open to the public since August 2011 inside the Gran Paradiso National Park Visitor’s Centre at Valsavarenche. This documentation centre was created by the Gran Paradiso Foundation in collaboration with the Gran Paradiso National Park to gather and provide testimonials and documents about the presence of wolves in the Park.
This is a work in progress which will develop through time and to which visitors can offer their contributions and get more familiar with this predator which has once again begun living in North-western Italy and the valleys of the Gran Paradiso National Park.
The Spazio Lupo presents two wolves, interactive films featuring the presence of wolves in the Park, interviews and a selection of texts and websites where further information can be obtained. It is also possible to develop events for first-hand experiences and a special blog on the web.

In 1856, King Victor Emanuel II declared part of the current park area a Royal Hunting Reserve, thus saving the ibex, whose population was drastically reduced in those years, from extinction. The King created a specialised guard and had paths and mule tracks created that are now hiked by park rangers and tourists. In 1920, King Victor Emanuel III donated the 2,100 hectares of the hunting reserve to Italy to create a national park. Two years later, on December 3, the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, the first Italian National Park, was established. The protected areas was managed by an autonomous commission until 1934, then by the ministry of agriculture and forestry until the end of the Second World War (suffering serious damages during the war) and again by an autonomous institution from 1947. An outline law on parks has been in place since 1991.

The Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso covers a vast mountainous area in the Valley d’Aosta and Piedmont, ranging from altitudes of 800 meters at the valley floor to the 4,061 meter high Gran Paradiso peak. Larch and pine woods, vast alpine prairies, rocks and glaciers create the ideal settings for the rich and varied fauna and for a glimpse of the wonderful mountain world.

The protected area in Valle d’Aosta extends across three valleys: Cogne, Valsavarenche and Rhêmes.
The Park provides different opportunities in each season. The park is in full bloom in late spring and summer and is perfect for mountain climbing The leaves turn colour in the fall and the ibex and chamois enter their mating seasons In the winter, the park is covered in snow and is perfect for walks with snow shoes or cross country skiing when it’s easy to see the animals who climb down to the valley to feed.

A concentration of natural processes in a very rich habitat

An old pond rapidly drying out located on a glacier terrace in the heart of a sunny and dry climate zone.

The lake is home to a rich zooplankton population, numerous invertebrates including different species of dragonflies and amphibians such as the common toad and the brown frog. In the reserve there are more than fifteen different plant associations and almost seventy species typical of wetlands and aquatic environments, some rare or unique to the Valle d’Aosta.

The nature reserve is one of the European ecological network Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

How to get there
From Aosta, take the national road 26 towards Turin. In Chambave, follow the signs for Verrayes and Loson.

The scent of the forest and the silence of the larches accompany your first steps. This medium-difficulty hike leads to the Giant Bench, a place suspended between sky and valley, perfect for a contemplative pause or as a stop on the way to the summit of Monte Zerbion.
From the bench, one of the most stunning panoramas of the Aosta Valley unfolds: Monte Zerbion, the Dames de Challand, Barbeston, Mont Emilius, Becca di Nona, Cima Longhede, Becca d’Aver, and in the distance, the majestic Matterhorn.

How to reach the bench:

• From Promiod: park just after the Camping Village Dalai Lama and take trail 105 (track and details available online).
• From Nissod: follow trail 7.
  Both routes feature about 500 m of elevation gain.

Alternatively, you can take a longer panoramic loop:
from Promiod, follow trail No. 105 to the bench, continue on No. 12 to Jacquemet, then No. 107 to Chesalet. Descend via 7A to Nissod, and return to Promiod following trail No. 3 Balteus (Cammino Balteo).
A varied route through woods, clearings, and scenic views over the central valley.

If you wish to go further, continue the climb to the summit of Monte Zerbion, adding about 1 hour and 30 minutes of hiking. You can follow trail No. 7 or reach Col Portola along No. 12 before ascending to the top.

Big Bench stamps and passports:

• Hotel Bar Mito, Via Emilio Chanoux 189 – 11024 Châtillon (AO) | Tel. +39 0166 61341 | info@mitohotel.it | Open daily 6:00–20:30 | Closed on Tuesdays
• Dalai Lama Village Camping, Loc. Promiod 1B – 11024 Châtillon (AO) | Tel. +39 0166 548688 | info@dalailamavillage.it | Open daily | Closed in November