Charvensod between nature trails, church art and mountain landscapes

Charvensod combines routes for experiencing nature, sacred art and alpine landscapes. The On Air: a Sensory Experience project created three experience-oriented trails connected by the shared theme of experiencing nature. The installations include a sound telescope that amplifies the sounds of nature, viewing seats at panoramic points, and frame installations for observing and photographing the landscape.

Hiking, cycling and sweeping views

The trails around Charvensod lead through a variety of landscapes. The Ponteille plain overlooks the Comboé Valley. The Aymavilles–Aosta section of the Cammino Balteo runs between Aymavilles, Jovençan, Gressan and Charvensod, passing along the edge of the forest through orchards and vineyards. Cycling tourism is also possible, both on the paved road towards Pilaz and on a cycle and pedestrian path accessible from the Pont-Suaz sports area.

A hike from Pont-Suaz near Charvensod leads to the Eremo di San Grato, covering more than 1,200 metres of elevation gain and almost 6 kilometres. From the Santa Colomba church in Charvensod, the chapel can be reached via the forest path on Sentiero 102 in around 2 hours and 40 minutes, with 900 metres of elevation gain. The differing figures indicate the approximate scale of each route for your planning.

The Eremo di San Grato is a white chapel surrounded by meadows at the edge of the forest, at an altitude of 1,772 metres. San Grato was bishop and patron saint of the Diocese of Aosta and lived in the 5th century AD. The first documentary records of the Eremo date back to the 13th century. The western ridge of Mont Emilius is a via ferrata and also a historic mountaineering route to the summit of Mont Emilius, which rises above the city at an altitude of more than 3,500 metres.

Church art and historic sites

The Santa Colomba parish church contains a gilded and carved high altar, probably dating from the 18th century, as well as two side altars, probably from the same period, dedicated to the Rosary and Saint Anthony. Significant sacred artworks also include a reliquary made of silver-plated and gilded copper and a processional cross made of sheet silver, both dating from the 15th century.

Today, the remains of the surrounding wall and a round tower of Castello di Charvensod are visible near the Santa Colomba parish church; the complex has fallen into ruin. In the immediate vicinity of Charvensod are the historic site of the Teatro Romano di Aosta, the Criptoportico Forense monument and the Arco D'Augusto natural arch. The Roncas Palace and Castello di Fenis are also located nearby.

Summer music tradition

Etétrad is a summer series of traditional music events featuring musicians and singers from around the world. Together with its trails, sacred artworks and alpine destinations, Charvensod emerges as a place where experiencing nature, culture and different ways of travelling come together.

Other destinations:Brengon, Saint-Oyen, Frachey, Pollein, Chef-lieu, Arnad, Bionaz, Roisan

To the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.