Lignan: Planetarium, Snowshoe Trails and Mountain Destinations

The Planetario di Lignan adds a distinctive highlight: it offers approximately one-hour immersive presentations that use digital 4K full-dome projection to explore the celestial bodies of the universe. The astronomical presentations complement the mountain and winter routes around Lignan. Their approximately one-hour duration makes them a standalone activity within a day in Lignan.

Historic Settlement and Distinctive Landscape

The protohistoric settlement of Lignan is located on a completely isolated rocky elevation at an altitude of 1,546 m. From there, the terrain drops steeply into the Vallone di Saint-Barthélemy. The isolated rocky elevation stands out clearly from the steep descent into the Vallone di Saint-Barthélemy. The settlement’s elevated location is therefore directly connected with the terrain’s course into the Vallone.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoe Trails

The Saint-Barthélemy Gran Tor cross-country ski network comprises a 30 km loop and ten shorter routes. The Centro Sci Nordico & trekking Saint-Barthélemy is located in Fraz. Lignan, Nus. The snowshoe trail to Tsa de Fontaney begins in Lignan at 1,647 m, leads to Tsa de Fontaney at 2,307 m and has an elevation gain of 660 m. It can be accessed from Lignan; from there, the ascent is somewhat greater. The loop and the ten shorter routes offer different distances within the cross-country ski network. On the snowshoe trail, 1,647 m, 2,307 m and 660 m mark the route from the starting point to Tsa de Fontaney.

Hiking Route and Mountain Destinations

The Lignan–Bivacco Rosaire Clermont hiking route also begins in Lignan, at an altitude of 1,627 m. It leads to Bivacco Rosaire Clermont at 2,692 m. Monte Faroma and Becca d’Aver are mountains in the vicinity of Lignan. Saint Evence and Cima Livournea are peaks in the vicinity of Lignan. The hiking route and the snowshoe trail both begin in Lignan; their starting elevations are 1,627 m and 1,647 m. The destinations reach 2,692 m and 2,307 m respectively, thus leading to different final elevations.

Destinations in the Vicinity of Lignan

Castello di Ussel is a castle in the vicinity of Lignan. Roncas Palace, a palace, and Aosta Cathedral, a church, are also located there. Giardini pubblici Aosta is a garden in the vicinity of Lignan. Thus, in addition to the mountain and winter routes, the vicinity of Lignan also includes Castello di Ussel, Roncas Palace, Aosta Cathedral and Giardini pubblici Aosta.

Practical Orientation on Site

The section of road connecting Lignan’s church square with the Osservatorio Astronomico is closed to unauthorized vehicles. When planning your routes, you should take this restriction into account and not plan the section as a freely usable vehicle connection.

Further Destinations

Further destinations: Grand Brissogne, Châtillon, Acque Fredde, Pré-Saint-Didier, Alone, Roisan, Fontainemore, Saint Vincent

To the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.