Sport Itineraries: Brusson

The walls are all visible from the road that leads to Ayas and have always been popular with the local alpine guides. Excellent anchoring with resin pitons never placed far apart. Both beginner and more expert climbers will enjoy this climb since the more difficult routes are graded high.
The activity requires technical experience. Alpine guide assistance is recommended.

Descent: Stops include chains and belays or Munter hitches. Climbers are either belayed down on a 60 m cord or abseil on longer routes.

Minimum, maximum and average route difficulty from 3c to 7b, average 6b.

Total number of routes: 37.

Average length is 20 meters with a minimum of 10 and maximum of 80 meters.

Da Brusson si raggiunge lo splendido Col di Joux che regala splendidi panorami. Da qui si scende verso Saint-Vincent e si risale verso il capoluogo di Emarèse. In cima alla strada per il Col Tzecore c'è un area pic-nic con fontane. Dal colle parte poi la ripida discesa verso Challand-Saint-Ansèlme da cui si risale gradulamente verso Brusson. 

Cycle along the Val d'Ayas for approximately 30 km discovering the territory of Brusson and the villages of Champoluc, Antagnod and Saint-Jacques.

Departure and arrival from Brusson, lake area. You go up passing through Champoluc and go down through the village of Antagnod.

When you get to the Arp refuge, as in the Estoul-Arp refuge itinerary, continue along trail 5C towards Col Valnera. From here, turn left on the same trail, along the path, to reach Punta Valfredda.

PANORAMA: As you go up to Col Valnera, you can enjoy the view of several of the Palasinaz lakes behind you. At the top, the view opens over Val d’Ayas and the valley of Gressoney.

When you get to the Arp refuge, follow the Estoul-Arp refuge itinerary and continue along trail 5B, first going up to the Valfredda lakes and then to the panoramic watershed, which after Col Valfredda, takes you in a diagonal line to the foot of Corno Vitello. From here, continue along stone ground, steep in places, until you reach the 3056 m summit.

PANORAMA: Valley of Gressoney, Lac Gabiet, valley of Mascognaz, Mount Rosa range, Testa Grigia and Lateltin Bivouac.

Arcésaz is the first hamlet of Brusson that you find on the regional road coming from Verrès.
The proposed itinerary starts from the trim trail in Guillates, a small hamlet in the municipality of Brusson, opposite the large stable.
Follow the CVA irrigation channel and descend on a farm track to the former Plan de Servaz forest nursery, then turn right and follow the path until you reach the village of Ponteil.
Cross the paved road and continue along the old irrigation channel ru d’Arlaz (following the sign “Croix D’Arlaz”) to the village of Arcésaz (1240 m).
From Arcésaz - always following the irrigation channel - cross the municipalities of Challand-Saint-Anselme and Challand-Saint-Victor and you’ll reach the Col d’Arlaz.

The Joux Col (1640m) is a wooded pass that connects Saint-Vincent with the municipality of Brusson, and is therefore an impressive alternative route to reach the Val d’Ayas from the road that goes up from Verrès.

The route skirts characteristic hamlets and crosses fascinating woods, offering exceptional views of the Central Valley and the Val d’Ayas.

The Joux Col also hosts the last section of the ru Courtod, an irrigation channel from the Ventina Glacier, dating back to the 14th century.

In addition, a legend tells that Napoleon, in May 1800, met casually at the Joux Col, near a spring just a few minutes from the col (the fountain still exists today), with the Austrian commander De-Breux, to bargain for the transit of French troops at the Fort of Bard.

The itinerary starts from the bridge on the Regional Road No. 33 leading to the Joux Col (after the Hotel Laghetto).
Turn right and from take the trail No. 1 (running alongside the ice-skating building) that winds through a wonderful pine forest of fir and larch trees.
The trail crosses the regional road several times to the top of the col.

From the Joux Col there is a priceless view of the entire Aosta Valley, up to the Rutor glaciers.

Several hiking trails of various difficulties start from the hill, for example to Testa Comagna or the Tzecore Col, but you can also walk pleasantly along the flat farm, leading to Sommarèse, or towards the hamlet of Pallu, with its artificial pond.
You can also walk along the path (ru Courtod – ru Retrouvé) towards the municipality of Ayas.

From the lake parking area cross the wooden bridge and follow the path to the right.

The path runs along the stream, when you reach the wooden bridge in Pian, cross the stream and follow the path immediately to the left. Cross the Goen Forest under the parking lots Picnic area until the next bridge, cross it and continue on a farm track until Extrépieraz.

Salomon is a beautiful alpine pasture with suggestive landscapes (in spring the meadows are colored with the intense yellow of the dandelion flowers) which can be reached from Brusson and other hamlets of this municipality (Extrepieraz - trail marker 2 and Vollon - trail sign 2B).

The climb to Salomon also allows you to admire some examples of artless rural architecture such as the “meurdjere” (stacking of stones) along the boundaries of the meadows.

The path can be reached by following the signs from Rue La Pila going up to the Brusson schools.
Above this building, turn right and you will reach a wooden sign indicating Rue Valey and Rue Ranzola (you can reach this sign also by going directly from the road leading towards Estoul).
From here the signpost indicates path n. 2, which climbs on a paved road towards Salomon.

After a first stretch, on the left you can meet the itinerary that refers to the ferruginous source. But you continue straight uphill.

The farm road is almost entirely paved (only the last stretch is unpaved).
Once at the Alp, just below the houses, indicated by a sign, there is a lookout area equipped with special binoculars that allows you to see, for example, Mount Zerbion, the Castle of Graines, the pond and the plain connecting Brusson to Ayas.

Returning to the path, continue straight on for a short distance and go down to the Court village. From here you take the path towards Extrepieraz (signpost no. 2). The village can be reached by wading a stream and then going down a wide path between fences.

Before reaching the bottom of the wood there is the lime kiln route.

Departure from rue La Pila upstream of the school building and the church, passing in front of the Residence Foyer d’Antan, at the height of the farm take the farm road on the left. Beautiful viewpoint allows you to see from the top of the lake and the hamlet of Vollon.

The trail starts at Col de Joux, which can be reached from Brusson or from Saint Vincent, along the road of the same name. Leave the car in the car park and take the road with the “no entry” sign, which goes off into the woods on the left. From here, continue along route 1C until you come to the junction with route 1B, which goes right towards Testa di Comagna.

ITINERARY FOR EXPERT HIKERS: suitable footwear and equipment
ANIMALS you might meet: squirrels, hares, eagles, marmots
PANORAMA: half an hour from the arrival point, there is a wonderful panoramic viewpoint with benches overlooking Brusson. View over Saint Vincent, Mont Blanc range

Leave the car in the car park in Estoul, in the municipality of Brusson. Continue along trail 5, along sections of path and sections of private road until you come to the pastures of Palasinaz. Here, follow the trail on the right, along a path across the slopes and you soon come to the Arp refuge.

Leave the car in the car park in Estoul, in the municipality of Brusson. Continue along trail 5, along sections of path and sections of private road until you come to the pastures of Palasinaz. From here, turn left on route 4 until you come to the first lakes of Palasinaz. Next continue along the hill until you come to some green lakes and Couloir, and then your destination.

ANIMALS you might meet: roe, marmots, chamois, rock goats, black grouse. eagles

PANORAMA: Palasinaz hill connects the valley of Mascognaz - towards Champoluc - with the valley of the Messouere - towards Brusson - . The landscapes differ significantly on either side: it is gentle and open, with wide pastures on the Brusson side, while it is rough and wild as you look towards Champoluc.

When you reach Col Palasinaz, you follow route 3D on the left which goes around a few steep hairpin bends and takes you to the divide between the municipalities of Brusson and Ayas. Surrounded by some marvellous views, you continue along certain sections, equipped with fixed ropes, and come to Corno Bussola.

Leave the car in the car park at Estoul, in the municipality of Brusson and continue along route 6 to Lac Litteran. From here, the trail starts climbing the shoulder, providing a wonderful panoramic view of the entrance to Val d’Ayas, up to the top of Mount Bieteron.

PANORAMA: Mount Bieteron dominates the background of Val d’Ayas in the section between Challand and Arcesaz. You get a great view of most of Val d’Aosta - Mont Blanc, Ruitor, Grivola and Mount Emilius. The excursion can be limited to Lac Litteran, situated in a basin north of the peak, and which has pale green water. Excellent fishing.

From Estoul, in the municipality of Brusson, follow the road that is closed to vehicle traffic and cuts across the southern slope of Mont Ciosé. After a moderate climb, you come to the pasture of Praz-Barmasse where the road ends. Continue along route 7, which takes you onto the saddle of Col Ranzola, which separates Val d’Ayas from Val Gressoney. Now follow the grassy crest on route 7A towards the right to reach Punta Regina at an altitude of 2387 m. The descent starts here on route 9B towards Col Garda.

Go up Brusson and take the detour for Estoul-Palasinaz, until you find a sign on the left-hand side after about 500 m, indicating “ferruginous spring” and route 2. Follow itinerary 2 to reach Alpe Salomon.

Take the road for Estoul-Palasinaz, and after about 1 km of paved road, take the left-hand route signposted 3 near Messouère bridge. When you get to Bringuez lake, continue up the steep and winding route 3, until you reach the hill of the same name. From here, follow trail 3B, ignoring the branch that goes down to the Battaglia lakes, heading left for Lake Lungo. Now, keep on trail 3C and, after a stretch that runs alongside the lake, go up towards Corno Bussola.

PANORAMA: panoramic peak that dominates the mid Val d’Ayas. When the weather is good you can see Mont Avic, Emilius, the Gran Paradiso, Mount Rutor, Mont Blanc, Grand Combin and the whole of the Mount Rosa group. You should also visit the Palasinaz plateau, where you will find the most important and characteristic group of lakes in the valley.

Particularly suitable for children and adults curious to discover the secrets and silences of the winter forest.

Follow the farm road untill you reach at first the village of Servaz, where you can see the typical rascard, the stone and wood buildings of Walser origin. Going left to the snowy pastures you arrive at Crépin, where you can admire part of the massif of Monte Rosa. Continue on the path through a dense coniferous forest and reach a small clearing where the chapel of Praz Charbon is located. Then go down towards Extrapiéraz.

Climb from the parking lot until you find the signpost for the Arp Refuge: turn left and climb the slope. After the renovated chalet, turn right and then left, following the signposts for the refuge. When you reach the ski slope, climb it on the right until you find the snow-covered road: turn left and continue to the Chanlochère mountain pasture. After a couple of turns, you’ll gain altitude where you can cross the ski slope to the Chavanne mountain pastures. Turning to the right, enter the valley under Punta Valfredda. Still climbing a couple of bends, you’ll reach the fork for Lake Litteran: ignore the fork and continue across the rugged peaks on Mont Bieteron. Be careful along this section since the steep peaks above the route and susceptible to spontaneous avalanches when snow conditions are not stable.
You’ll find a signpost at a fork at the end of the crossing: leaving the normal summer route on your right, take the long summer route that leads to the Plasina Lakes. You’ll reach a mountain pasture after a couple of curves. Turn right and then slightly to the left to the stream flowing from the Valfredda lakes. Cross the stream which may be totally covered in snow and climb the steep slope to the refuge. A last push and you’ll finally reach the Arp Refuge (2246 m).
In then event of adverse weather conditions, you should climb to the refuge along the lower paths in the Valfredda valley.

The itinerary crosses snowy meadows and climbs in the fir woods to the pasture of Court, sentinel of the village of Extrepieraz and from here briefly on the farm route you can reach the pastures of Salomon, an evocative panoramic view on Brusson and the val d’Ayas.

From the parking lot in Monte di Estoul, (1,870 m), start climbing the sparse woods heading North-East. At the centre of the valley, choose whether to keep to the right or left of the Chamen stream according to snow conditions. Follow the stream to the Estoul lakes, 2,450 m. Head North-West to the top and, going around a couple of crags, climb the steep groove that leads to the hill. You’ll soon reach the peak on foot.

Technical difficulty: medium/difficult
Physical difficulty: medium
Bike-friendly: 100%
Type of route: mixed asphalt, dirt, path

Brusson (1332 metres above sea level) can be reached by taking the Verrès motorway exit on the Regional Road no. 45. After 16 km you come to Brusson where the itinerary starts.

Leave from Brusson and turn towards Ayas. On reaching the crossroads for col de Joux, veer to the left and start the ascent, following the col de Joux Regional Road no. 33 that takes you to the hill at an altitude of 1640 metres above sea level. The ascent which is a bit monotonous due to the asphalt is particularly appreciated in summer when you can recover from the heat by passing through the centuries-old spruce grove before reaching the hill. Before arriving at col de Joux you can drink and replenish your water supplies at the Napoleon fountain where it is said that the leader stopped to quench his thirst with his troops on his way to the Alps. After reaching col de Joux (6.90 km) turn to the left and follow a clear stretch of a farm road that first runs along an irrigation canal. After a few kilometres you reach Sommarèse (1536 metres above sea level – 10.70 km). From Sommarèse you can descend or alternatively, on coming to the last house, more expert excursionists can turn left and follow an extremely fun single track that leads to Eresa (1166 metres above sea level). Those who want to follow a single track, located in the centre of the village can turn left and continue towards the col d’Arlaz (1040 m). On reaching the canal (15.90 km) turn left and then continue alongside the canal. Those who have followed the road leading to Emarèse (995 metres above sea level) should then turn left and follow the service farm track of the irrigation canal called Ru d’Arla in order to reach the col d’Arlaz (1040 metres above sea level). On arrival at the hill, turn left and follow the irrigation canal, after around 1 km passing a beautiful waterfall before reaching Orbillaz (1116 metres above sea level), hamlet of Challand-Saint-Anselme. Leaving from the village, before descending (18.60 km) turn left and continue to run along the canal, following a gentle farm track that takes you back to Brusson. Just 2.5 km after the Arcesaz village (1155 metres above sea level) you can find a steep climb, along just a few hundred metres. Passing by the forest nursery, cross the bridge in order to get to the meadows overlooking the Brusson village.

Lying in a hollow sheltered from the winds, Saint-Vincent boasts many fine vestiges from the past. Saint-Vincent owes its fame to one of the few authorised Casinos in Italy, which opened in 1947. During the summer you can climb up to Col de Joux along one of the most panoramic roads in the region, where you can enjoy splendid views over the whole valley. From here you go down the opposite slope as far as Brusson, continuing towards the valley bottom and passing the villages of Challand-Saint-Anselme and Challand-Saint-Victor. As soon as you are through this last village, you can already see Verrès, dominated by its imposing castle built in the latter half of the 14th century. Continuing on towards Aosta, just after Verrès, you come to Champdepraz, home of the Parco Naturale del Mont Avic, the only regional park in Val d’Aosta. You then meet the ancient village of Montjovet, located in a strategic position along the Roman “Via Galliarum” and overlooked by Saint-Germain Castle (11th century) of which you can still see a beautiful tower and a few remaining sections of wall.

Places you go through on the route:
- Saint-Vincent (575 m)
- Saint-Vincent spa baths 1.4 km (633 m)
- Emarèse junction 9.1 km (1,150 m)
- Col de Joux 16.2 km (1,620 m)
- Col de Joux junction 22.3 km (1,280 m)
- Brusson 23.6 km (1,265 m)
- Arcesaz 26.4 km (1,130 m)
- Challand-Saint-Anselme 29.35 km (1,030 m)
- Challand-Saint-Victor 34.1 km (745 m)
- Verrès 39.3 km (379 m)
- Montjovet 44.2 km (390 m)
- Saint-Vincent 51 km (575 m)