Sport Itineraries: Saint-Pierre

You climb the track that immediately veers to the right, taking you across the vast pastures below Thoules. Cross the vast snowy area following the signposts of the track with your snow shoes. You aim towards the Alpine pasture which you reach quite quickly. From Thoules you turn to the right following a snowy path which enters the valley of Méod, following the bend around the water catchment area. A few stretches are made a little more difficult due the incline caused by the snow deposits. You soon reach the wide valley which precedes the Alpine pasture of Loé: you walk across it staying at the same level until you reach a footbridge which allows you to cross the Verrogne torrent. When you reach the left bank that faces downhill, you perform a few turns and then come to the long Alpine pasture of Loé.
Following the directions on a signpost, you climb the ridge above the Alpine pasture, bearing to the right until you reach a small panoramic clearing. The vegetation is quite sparse and allows you to choose which direction is the best to take. You now climb up the steep slope (without following a set course), which leads to the top of the wide ridge leading to the summit: this stretch is very arduous and must be tackled when the snow conditions are ideal. When you reach the ridge, you can glimpse the peak: you now proceed to the right, going downhill for about 100 metres as far as the foot of the collar that precedes the peak. From here you climb up the last part, going left round a large gendarme, and then climbing up along the wide ridge as far as the peak of the Becca France.

This is quite a difficult route technically, in the sense that you cross certain stretches that require a lot of experience on the various surfaces to be tackled: this route, therefore, is recommended for expert walkers.

From Vétan, climb the beaten slope to the isolated Chatelanaz house. Continue climbing the slope with alternating steep and gentle sections, following the route beaten by the snow mobiles. After a couple of turns you’ll gain altitude nearing some watersheds well-loved by snowboarders. Continue leaving the Grandes Arpilles houses on your right and climb the unmarked slope where the vegetation slowly disappears. The climb becomes steeper until it reaches the ridge at the forepeak. Descend the ridge until it starts to climb towards the peak where you’ll find a wooden cross.

Leave your car at the end of the road and climb on the plateaus above the town. Continue along the gentle slopes towards the top. Keeping to the left, you’ll reach a clear rise. Follow it and cross a steeper segment on the right to the gap on the left of the peak. Follow the ridge on skis to the summit.
Descent down the upward itinerary.

Technical difficulty: easy
Physical difficulty: medium
Bike-friendly: 100%
Type of Route: asphalt and dirt roads

From Aosta, follow the Courmayeur State Road no. 26 until you pass the village of Villeneuve and come to a large parking on the right, starting point of this bike itinerary.

From the square in Trepont hamlet in Villeneuve you take the State Road no.26, following directions to the Villeneuve sports centre.
Taking the wooden walkway that crosses over the Dora Baltea river, continue towards the centre of the village. On leaving the village, proceed towards Aymavilles where you go uphill to the site of the “Cave des Onze Communes” cooperative winery.

The itinerary then goes on along the direct paths that crosses the vineyards of Les Crêtes, featuring splendid panoramic views (Aosta plain and castles).
Descending at Ayamavilles, close to the motorway junction, cross the bridge over the Dora Baltea and continue by following the river.
You will reach the Gressan sports centre by passing through the village of Jovençan. The recently built pedestrian walkway allows you to cross the Dora river again, entering in the periphery of Aosta and directing towards the “Regional Farming Institute”.

From here, set off again in a westerly direction (Courmayeur), reaching the panoramic road over the hills until you reach the municipality of Sarre.
After crossing the railway, you will arrive close to the motorway junction again, where a fun dirt path along the banks of the Dora begins. Continue along this until you reach Saint-Pierre, where the picturesque castle of “Sarriod de la Tour” can be sighted. You can reach the castle via a short but difficult dirt road.

After crossing State Road no.26, the route continues towards the hamlets on the hill until arriving at a bridge that leads to Villeneuve. On reaching the river park, go back along the first stretch of the journey until you come to the site of departure.

The wineries (on the map select “shop” to locate them) can only be visited by reservation.