Sport Itineraries: Cogne

Leave the car in the large parking lot at the beginning of Valnontey, continue on the orographic right-side of the stream until you reach the first wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and continue along the track that goes up on the orographic left, being careful not to step on the cross-country trails. Just beyond the Prà-su-piaz pasture, the path becomes narrower and crosses a bridge again, returning to the right. The route reaches the houses of Vermiana. To come back follow the same route. The itinerary being very popular, it is often possible to cover it on foot.

From the parking lot, briefly climb the road to the bridge that crosses the Valnontey stream: continue until you reach the Hotel “Lou Tsantelet” and signposts indicating the routes along the Alta Via N. 2. Take the easy path the quickly leads to the “Paradisia” Alpine Garden entrance. Walk along the south-east side of the Garden and enter the larch wood. Slowly climb, following the long mule track spirals, enjoying the views of Valnontey below. You’ll reach a fork after walking for about 1 hour: ignore the right fork and continue straight until you reach a beautiful stone bridge over the Grand-Lauson stream. Climb the right-hand side of the valley, still among the trees, until you exit the larch woods. Continue the rather intense climb to the Pascieux houses. Continue along the shoulder to the Grand Lauson mountain pastures and, keeping to the right of the watershed, cross the stream to the characteristic plain where the Vittorio Sella Refuge is located.

An easy ring path without danger and an with an excellent exposure to the sun alternating stretches in the woods to magnificent views. T
he trail starts out in the northern part of the Gimillan village where you find a panel at the beginning of the track. Once arrived at a small chapel continue straight on along the torrent. You reach then a few houses situated in the Pian di Teppe hamlet, you pass them, and then turn left continuing to the hamlet of Serve. A wide path takes you into the woods, then a hairpin bend leads to a clearing in the direction of Gimillan. In a short time, and after enjoying enchanting views on the Gran Paradiso chain and on the Grivola peak you return to the starting point.

From the Cogne village centre follow the municipal road towards Lillaz as far as the little church in Moline. Take on the right the climbing path that crosses the cross-country trail to Lillaz and reach the Alpine Fauna Study Centre house. Cross, on the right, the meadow below the house and enter the wood. After the junction with the cross-country track continue to go up on the left to a junction where the circular route starts. It is possible to follow this itinerary in both directions. If you continue in an anti-clockwise direction, the route reaches a bar-restaurant and then continues near the cross-country trails and crossing the enchanted Sylvenoire plateau. At the turning point, possibility of descending towards Champlong and Lillaz. The way back, completely immersed in the woods, is characterized by ups and downs and curves among stones figures, trees and snow crystals.

Day one:
From the Valnontey parking lot, cross the bridge and climb the summer path to the Sella hut. Climb the wide curves in the woods over the Lauson stream, (you have to remove your skis for this part in the spring) and reach the Toule pastures. Continue climbing on the easy slopes to the left of the stream. Once at the Lauson pasture, climb to the plateau where the Vittorio Sella hut is located.

Day two:
From the hut, head South-West over the easy slopes going around the right of the steeper ones to the Lauson glacier. Here you’ll find a very steep segment that leads to the glacier above. You can take the groove in the middle of the rocks at the end of the rocky Gran Vallon ramparts (this segment is often taken on foot). Climb the ridge of the glacier and follow the long crossing to the left until you’re under the peak. Climb the last metres up the final tower.

Descent down the upward itinerary.

This itinerary requires experience of high mountains and it is recommended that you get a mountain guide to accompany you.

Day one:
From the Valnontey parking lot, cross the bridge and climb the summer path to the Sella hut. Climb the wide turns in the woods to cross the Lauson stream (you must remove your skis for this segment in the spring) to the Toule mountain pastures. Continue climbing on the easy slopes to the left of the stream. Once at the Lauson pasture, climb to the plateau where the Vittorio Sella hut is located.

Day two:
From the hut, continue along the valley floor towards Col Lauson, at altitude 2,950 m. Turn right and climb the steeper slopes to the Rousse glacier. In the valley above, continue on the steep slopes on the right to the Rossa hills, 3,195 m. From the hill with a long and steep slope North, head to the North-East ridge of Punta Rossa. Follow the ridge to the top.

Descent down the upward itinerary.
You can also descend directly down the beautiful valley to Cretaz.

PILA, PANORAMA TO REMEMBER
Pila offers a view over the highest peaks of the Alps, from the Mont Blanc to the Grand Combin, from the Matterhorn to the Monte Rosa. Plus, this town dominates the city of Aosta: a truly stunning position!
The architecture of the ski resort: built during the 1970s, the big complex which includes both houses and hotels was realised by taking inspiration from the architectural and town planning canons of the French Alpine resorts. It was modelled keeping in mind the orography, the landscape, the shapes and the colours of the hamlet.

CAVE DES ONZE COMMUNES, P.D.O. [Protected Designation of Origin] QUALITY
In spring and summer bright and intense green, in autumn browns and reds… It is always a spectacle to cross the Aosta plain, among the vineyards of the most extensive wine-growing.districts in the region. Here illustrious P.D.O.red wines are produced -- Torrette, Fumin, Petit Rouge, Pinot Noir and Gamay -- in addition to a rich range of whites, among them Chardonnay, and grappa. So reserve a spot for a bottle, in the motorcycle hard luggage, and in Aymavilles take a break at Cave des Onze Communes.

COGNE, PEARL OF THE GRAN PARADISO
Lying right In the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, Cogne overlooks the large Sant’Orso meadow, one of the largest Alpine grassland in Europe. It is situated at 1.544 metres of altitude and its highest peak, with its 4.061 metres, is the Gran Paradiso, the only four-thousand-metre peak which is completely in the Italian territory. Once famous for its iron mining industry, today Cogne is a “Pearl of the Alps”, particularly appreciated for having been able to develop a tourism of quality, safeguarding its natural heritage.