Acque Fredde: Railway History, Landscape and Routes to Pila

Acque Fredde in the municipality of Gressan is closely connected with historic transport routes. The former Acque Fredde intermediate station is located in Gressan; this is where the railway line began, and where the terminus of a cable car coming from Aosta was located. If you are planning a stay around themes rather than a single attraction, you can weigh up transport history, natural features, castles and routes towards Pila here.

Historic Railway Between Acque Fredde and Cogne

The twelve-kilometre railway line connected Cogne with the steelworks of Aosta, passed through the Drinc Tunnel and opened in 1922. After the Drinc Tunnel, the railway ran halfway up the slope through several short tunnels before reaching Cogne.

Orientation Along the Road to Pila

The Acque Fredde viaduct is located at kilometre 13+980 on Regional Road 18 to Pila. A route from Aosta to Pila leads through Gressan, Acque Fredde and Charvensod. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider the road layout, railway track and connection to Pila as separate but interconnected themes at this location.

Landscape Around Gressan

The municipality of Gressan includes orchards and the Gargantua moraine on the valley floor. The mountains Pointe de la Pierre and Becca di Nona are located in the immediate vicinity of Acque Fredde. The Punta Rossa summit and the natural arch Arco D'Augusto are also located in the surrounding area.

Castles and Historic Buildings

The immediate vicinity includes Castello Reale di Sarre, a castle, and Roncas Palace, a palace. The castles Castle Sarriod de La Tour and Chatel Argent are also located around Acque Fredde.

Routes and Connections to Pila

The connection to Pila is reflected in several geographical and historical aspects. The higher-lying parts of Gressan include the Pila ski resort at an altitude of around 1,800 metres. A historic access route to Pila led via Cerise, Acque Fredde and Pertzé. The historic S21 trail began in Acque Fredde, ran below the former mining railway and then crossed the regional road. For your planning, you can therefore distinguish between the ski resort, the historic access route and the course of the S21 trail.

When choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Acque Fredde, you can weigh these themes as the focus of your stay: railway history, castles and landscape features in the surrounding area, or the routes to Pila. For those interested in culture, historic buildings and the railway line are the main attractions; those looking for connections with the landscape will find them on the valley floor, at the moraine, around the mountains and summits, and along the routes towards Pila.

Further Places in the Regional Context

For further orientation: Brusson, Valsavarenche, Verrand, Quart, Saint Nicolas, Introd, Bionaz, Coveyrand.

To the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.