Discover Valgrisenche: Mountain Landscapes, Trails and Local Culture

Valgrisenche combines an Alpine landscape with trails, winter sports, traditional crafts and historic sites. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether hiking, winter activities or cultural discoveries should be the focus. Your choice of accommodation can then also be tailored to your personal interests.

Alpine Landscape and Trails

In the wild Alps, Valgrisenche offers waterfalls, alpine lakes, expansive pastures and rugged peaks. Lago di San Grato is the largest natural lake in the Valgrisenche valley and is located in the mountains at the foot of the Rutor. The Cascata di Chatelet is situated on the high-altitude, green pastures of Valgrisenche near Usellières.

For walks and hikes, the network of trails known as “sentier d’antan” No. 22 connects the hamlets of the municipality of Valgrisenche along the valley floor. Another trail leads from Planaval along the valley floor to Capoluogo, then climbs to Rifugio Chalet de l’Epée and crosses over the Col Fenêtre into Val di Rhemes. Climbers also find a wide range of options in Valgrisenche: From the entrance near Arvier to the head of the valley, there are more than 15 climbing areas with over 250 equipped routes of all difficulty levels.

Winter Among Cross-Country Trails and Ski Tours

The Valgrisenche snow park is located at the foot of the slopes. It has one slope intended exclusively for beginners in skiing and snowboarding, as well as another slope that is also open to sledges, bobsleighs and monoski bikes. The cross-country ski trails run between the hamlets of Darbelley and Mondanges, follow the Dora and pass east of Capoluogo through a natural landscape characterized by larches and fir trees.

The most popular snowshoe hikes in Valgrisenche include the routes to Verconey and Arp Vieille. Equipment can be rented at the bottom station of the ski lifts or at the shop in Capoluogo. Valgrisenche also offers numerous ski tours for experienced ski mountaineers, as well as easier excursions for people who would like to try this sport in a safe setting.

Crafts, History and Festivals

Weaving “Drap” is a traditional craft in Valgrisenche. Sheep’s wool is processed on old looms made of maple wood. At the cooperative’s premises in the Capoluogo hamlet, you can learn about the history of this craft and visit the exhibition “Lo drap – L’anima tessile di una comunità”.

The history of the landscape is also visible at the reservoir. The Percorso Beauregard connects Mondanges and Usellières along the reservoir and offers views of the remains of several flooded villages. The Diga di Beauregard was built in 1954; after lowering works, it was given a new form that blends well into the landscape. The Centro di documentazione sulla Resistenza presents a photographic and documentary multimedia exhibition about the historical significance of the Col du Mont as a crossing between Valgrisenche and the French Tarentaise.

The recurring gatherings also form part of the valley’s cultural character. The Festa della Madonna delle Nevi takes place every year on 5 August, with a procession to Lago di San Grato. Every July, the community of Valgrisenche and the French community of Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise meet at Col du Mont, at an altitude of 2,639 m, to celebrate their centuries-old friendship. Above Capoluogo, there is also the Valgrisenche Fontina cheese ageing cellar, carved into the rock.

Getting There and Trip Planning

Valgrisenche can be reached from Villeneuve by the “Villeneuve-Valgrisenche” bus service. When planning your trip, you can use this to take into account your preferred mix of valley trails, nature, winter sports and culture, and choose accommodation according to the focus of your trip.

Other Places to Compare

If you would like to compare other places for your trip: Allein, Ollomont, Brengon, Saint Pierre, Rhemes-Saint-Georges, Nus, Doues and Villeneuve.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.