Sport Itineraries: Torgnon

Chambave is a place famous for its wines. From here you take the road for Saint-Denis, where the Castle of Cly (11th century) is located and where mediaeval pageants are held in the summer. You continue uphill along the road which crosses the Col de Saint-Pantaléon, leading to Torgnon.
Torgnon is an ancient village with numerous scattered hamlets that still retain the features of Alpine architecture. The village lies in a sunny position with splendid views of the Matterhorn. From here you go downhill towards Antey-Saint-André from where you can reach La Magdeleine or continue on as far as Breuil Cervinia. The descent, on the other hand, continues down as far as Châtillon, a village, which extends over a vast hollow on the slopes of the Valtournenche.

Places you go through on the route:
- Chambave (520 m )
- Saint-Denis 4 km (830 m)
- Petit Brusson 8.3 km (1140 m)
- Col San Pantaleone 16.4 km (1,650 m)
- Torgnon 19.7 km (1530 m)
- Antey-Saint-André 26.1 km (1,045 m)
- Covalu Hydro-electric power station 30.2 km (780 m )
- Chatillon 33.6 km (530 m)
- Pontey junction 35.7 km (460 m)
- Chambave 38.6 km (520 m)

Technical difficulty: medium
Physical difficulty: medium
Cyclability: 100%
Type of route: mixed asphalt, dirt road, path

The Becca d’Aver monutain bike trail crosses the high-altitude landscapes of three municipalities, from Saint-Barthélemy (Nus), to Verrayes to end up in front of the Matterhorn overlooking the Chavacourt valley in the territory of Torgnon.

The route takes you through coniferous forests, grazing meadows and large open spaces. Each pedal stroke lets you discover villages, mountain pastures, uncontaminated nature and traces of an ancient world that still lives.

Along the route, you can stop for a regenerating break at the refreshment points and in the local restaurants, and if you are in Lignan, you will find a convenient vending machine for food products, perfect for cyclists leaving or arriving.

The start is from the church of Saint-Barthélemy in Lignan, then you pedal to the village of Vencorère, in the municipality of Verrayes. From there, on an asphalt road, you cross the hamlet of Grand Villa to the picnic area of ​​Champlong. The road then continues towards the Col de Bornel, from which a dirt road takes you to the picnic area of ​​Chantorné and to Plan Prorion, in the municipality of Torgnon.

Beyond, the route embraces the wetland area of ​​the Lo Ditor pond, then passes through Tellinod and arrives to Gilliarey. It is possible to continue to the Lake Cignana and the Barmasse refuge. A mountain bike or e-bike experience that lets you breathe the true essence of the mountains!

From Pont-Saint-Martin, after admiring its ancient Roman bridge, travel along the valley floor to Châtillon from where you will then climb along the Matterhorn Valley. At Antey-Saint-André you will find the crossroads for Torgnon. From Torgnon you will then pass the panoramic pass of San Pantaleone (Saint-Pantaléon) from which you can reach Verrayes by choosing between two different routes: passing through Lozon (nature reserve) or through Semon (municipality of Saint-Denis). From Verrayes you reach the valley floor again and arrive at Nus from which you climb towards Saint-Barthélemy where another exceptional panorama opens up. The route ends with the descent towards Nus.

TORGNON: RURAL ARCHITECTURE AND PANORAMA
Torgnon lies in the heart of those who visit it not only because of its privileged location, in the middle of the valley of the Matterhorn, at an altitude of 1489 m, but also for its numerous hamlets which retain their characteristic Alpine architecture. Among these the hamlets of Etirol and Triatel, whose buildings host the ethnographic museum Petit-Monde about the history of the area, its production cycle and its social organisation, stand out.
The view from the Saint-Pantaléon pass is definitely stunning and the gaze takes in the whole Valtournenche valley, encircled by the Grandes Murailles and the Matterhorn, and the Central Valley.

SAINT-BARTHELEMY, TO THE STARS
The Saint-Barthélemy Valley, initially tortuous and very steep, in the Lignan area at 1,633 meters above sea level, opens up into a vast plateau from which you can admire a splendid panorama. The astronomical observatory of Saint-Barthélemy, very important for scientific research, is one of the most suitable places for astronomical observations, thanks to favourable conditions, mainly due to low light pollution.
Excellent local wines are produced in the municipality of Nus: Nus Rouge and the aromatic Malvoisie, an enological preciousness produced from dried grapes.

Leave your car in the parking area near the Chantorné chairlift (open during the winter season), then take the dirt road near the restaurant Les Montagnards and follow the path also known as Tour des Alpages.

The first part of the trail is almost flat, crossing a prairie before entering the woods, leading to a panoramic viewpoint with a stunning view of the valley and the village of Torgnon. Towards the end, you will pass several alpine pastures: first Chavannes, then Arpeille, and finally Châtelard at the top. Along the way, you will find benches and picnic tables at some scenic spots.

You can continue for about 2.5 km to reach the Lodétor swamp or leave the path and walk uphill for approximately 20 minutes to Gordzà Lake.

From Chaté, one of the last hamlets in Torgnon, which can be reached by car, take dirt road No. 9, which goes up to Alpe Châtelard-Dessous.. From here, continue along the trail to reach Alpe Châtelard-Dessus. Turn left onto the private road that leads to Alpe Chantorné and which ends near Alpe Fontin. When you get to the end of the road, take the path (still No. 9) which goes up on the right to Col Fenêtre , where you turn left onto the panoramic crest to reach Mont de la Fenêtre, followed by Becca d’Aver.

From Chantorné you will leave your car at the parking of the gondola arrival station open during the winter season. You will go further on the flat farm road behind the Restaurant La Montanara. When you will reach a clearing before an alp you will turn on the left and follow the road going up in the wood (trail sign n° 9 or 105) until you will reach the small Gordzà lake, ideal place to relax where you will also find some benches. The lake is also sport fishing and it is run by the near restaurant. To return back you will take the path n° 15 (winter ski slope) through the wood leading the departure point.
Near the path you will find the Summer Park playground area for children normally open during some week-ends and every day from mid July until the end of August.

From Étirol (1598 m) take the dirt road (no. 107 / 7) that goes into the valley upwards, walk by the summer pastures Chanchevellaz (Tsantsevella) and go on to the little lake (no. 105), cross the torrent and continue along another dirt road (no. 1) as far as the Beutsôloz pastures. Follow the private road (no. 1), and leave it on the left to take the path that leads to the ruins of Hospice de Chavacour. At the crossroad near the ruins, take itinerary no. 5 on the right, which soon leads you to Alpe Château. Cross this road and continue along itinerary no. 5 until you come to another crossroad. Here, ignore the branch on the right which leads to the Rivolta bivouac, and follow the branch on the left which, after crossing the dirt road again, takes you to the pasture of Crot-du-Loup (Cro du Loï). From here, continue along trail no. 3 towards the Tsan bivouac. Before getting to this bivouac, take the right branch at a crossroad (route no. 3), ignoring route no. 4 on the right. Continue in the direction of Alpe Erbion and from here, to Cima Bianca.

From Étirol (1598m) take the dirt road (no. 107 / 7) that goes into the valley upwards, walk by the summer pastures Chanchevellaz (Tsantsevella) and go on to the little lake (no.105), cross the torrent and continue along another dirt road (no.1) as far as the Beutsôloz pastures. Just after the houses, take the dirt road to the left that leads first to the summer pastures of Alpe Cortod, then Alpe Crot-des-Labies (Crô di Labie) and finally to Alpe Chomioÿ, where the itinerary continues on route no.6 taking you to Col Chomioÿ.

Hiking itinerary without technical difficulties as far as Alpe Chomioÿ.
Itinerary for expert hikers (EE) from Alpe Chomioÿ to hill.

From Étirol (1598 m) take the dirt road (no. 107 / 7) that goes into the valley upwards, walk by the summer pastures Chanchevellaz (Tsantsevella)and go on to the little lake (no. 105), cross the torrent and continue along another dirt road (no. 1) as far as the Beutsôloz pastures. Follow this dirt road (no. 1) and leave it on the left to take the path that leads to the ruins of Hospice de Chavacour. At the crossroad near the ruins, take itinerary no. 5 on the right, which soon leads you to Alpe Château. After crossing the dirt road continue along itinerary no. 5 until you come to another crossroad. Here, ignore the branch on the right which leads to the Rivolta bivouac, and follow the branch on the left which, after crossing the dirt road again, takes you to the pasture of Crot-du-Loup (Cro du Loï). From here, continue along trail no. 4 towards the Tsan bivouac. Before you get to the bivouac, take the branch on the right at a crossroad (still route no. 4), ignoring the left-hand branch for Cima Bianca signposted as no. 3. From the bivouac, walking almost parallel to Lake Tsan, you come to Alta Via 1(AV1), which you should take on the left until you come to Fenêtre de Tsan.

From Étirol (1598 m) take the dirt road (no. 107 / 7) that goes into the valley upwards, walk by the summer pastures Chanchevellaz (Tsantsevella) and go on to the little lake (no.105), cross the torrent and continue along another dirt road (no.1) as far as the Beutsôloz pastures. Follow the private road (no.1), and leave it on the left to take the path that leads to the ruins of Hospice de Chavacour. At the crossroad near the ruins, take itinerary no. 5 on the right, which soon leads you to Alpe Château. Cross this road and continue along itinerary no. 5 until you come back to the dirt road. After a few metres you come to a crossroad, where you take the left-hand branch, which follows the trail (still no. 5) and reaches Alpe Les Grand-Drayères, visible from afar, owing to its characteristic vault shape, then goes on to the Rivolta bivouac.
The last section of the trail is very demanding.