Easy
House to Fénis
Nice easy walk with small climb to footpath. Reward yourself halfway in Fénis at several bars (Bar Bistro recommended; the tourist bar next to the castle is also very nic…
Read the full walk →The guide
Easy routes, beautiful places and a few local favourites.
The routes are described as mainly unchallenging and suitable for all ages, including children. Many follow the ancient irrigation canals — or ru — which often make for level walking along the terraced mountainsides.
Each route in the original guide includes practical parking information and QR codes for navigation.
Navigation
Use Komoot for the routes.
The guide uses the Komoot app for navigation. Sign in for a free account, scan the QR code on a route page and save the route for navigation.
Open Komoot ↗Getting to the start
Parking can be difficult to find because village names are unfamiliar and sometimes repeated around the valley. The original guide uses Google Maps QR codes to take you to the nearest parking location.
More Valle d’Aosta inspiration ↗Walking routes
Choose your walk
Each walk is shown below in a larger, easy-to-read format, with the original route description and practical information.
Options
Veynes & Ru Pompillard
This walk begins above the hamlet of Veynes. The route follows the Ru Pompillard and leads to Roisin on a flat course. After about 3½ km there is a tunnel. From here you …
Read the full walk →
Valpelline
Roisan up the lower Valpelline Valley
Roisan is a pretty village with a 15th-century church that overlooks the village, which rings its bells on the hour and quarters. The route follows the final part of the …
Read the full walk →
Adventure
Châtillon to Campagne
This one is an adventure! Park the car at Campagne opposite the bus stop and take the 110 to Châtillon Autobus Station. The route takes you down Ru de Chanoux, which is t…
Read the full walk →
Via Francigena
Châtillon to Châtillon – Via Francigena
This route starts in Châtillon, with the car park by the Châtillon Autobus Station where you would get off the bus if doing the Châtillon to Campagne route. The route tak…
Read the full walk →
Fun
Ru Pompillard & the Big Red Bench
This route takes you along the Via Francigena for about 3 miles before turning off to the right and heading upwards to find Ru Pompillard and walking back. The route devi…
Read the full walk →
Family adventure
Galleria Ru du Mont – near Doues
The Ru du Mont is known in the Aosta Valley for the long pedestrian tunnel that pierces the mountain to reach the pastures of Doues. A torch could be handy plus an extra …
Read the full walk →
Favourite
Étroubles to Gignod
This is one of my favourites! The route starts in Étroubles opposite the Hôtel Beau Séjour. The first part takes you along the Run Neuf, which is also on the Via Francige…
Read the full walk →
Mountain views
Chamois
The start of this route is a bit of a drive to get to, but well worth it. Make a day of it and have lunch in Chamois. The route follows Passeggiata Chamois Magdaleine wit…
Read the full walk →
Day adventure
Rifugio Prarayer
The Refuge (Rifugio) of Prarayer is placed in the high Bionaz valley, between big mountains, glaciers, forests, torrents and lakes. It sits at the head of Lake Moulin and…
Read the full walk →
Castle & wine
Castello di Aymavilles
The Aymavilles Castle is located in the municipality of the same name, on a hill surrounded by vineyards along the road to Cogne. The walk takes you through woods and the…
Read the full walk →Open the links from the original QR codes
WALK 01
EasyHouse to Fénis
Nice easy walk with small climb to footpath. Reward yourself halfway in Fénis at several bars (Bar Bistro recommended; the tourist bar next to the castle is also very nice). The walk can be made easier, removing a climb, by cutting across from Marker 10 to Marker 4.
Practical informationStart at the house. A shorter route is available via the second QR route in the original guide.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 02
OptionsVeynes & Ru Pompillard
This walk begins above the hamlet of Veynes. The route follows the Ru Pompillard and leads to Roisin on a flat course. After about 3½ km there is a tunnel. From here you can walk a little further and turn around on the same route (Option A). Alternatively, turn left 200m after the tunnel and take an interesting loop below Acquedotto Grand Arvou (Option B). This option has a steep climb of about 300m back to Ru Pompillard.
Drive from Saint Marcel20-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 03
ValpellineRoisan up the lower Valpelline Valley
Roisan is a pretty village with a 15th-century church that overlooks the village, which rings its bells on the hour and quarters. The route follows the final part of the Ru Pompillard with views north up the Grand Bernard Valley aplenty. Combine your day with a visit into Aosta or call in for a beer at the Mont Emilius Café on the way back to the house.
Drive from Saint Marcel25-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 04
AdventureChâtillon to Campagne
This one is an adventure! Park the car at Campagne opposite the bus stop and take the 110 to Châtillon Autobus Station. The route takes you down Ru de Chanoux, which is the main street in Châtillon. It is a little tricky out of Châtillon. You are heading for Ru de Chandianaz; once you are up, it is flat until you reach the hamlet of Farys. 100m beyond Farys you drop down into Chambave where you can stop for lunch, then complete the route back to the car in Campagne.
Getting aroundBus 110 from Campagne to Châtillon. Park at Campagne opposite the bus stop.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 05
Via FrancigenaChâtillon to Châtillon – Via Francigena
This route starts in Châtillon, with the car park by the Châtillon Autobus Station where you would get off the bus if doing the Châtillon to Campagne route. The route takes you down Ru de Chanoux and then towards Ru de Chandianaz. Once up, it is flat to Farys and then down into Chambave. From here you turn back towards Châtillon along the Via Francigena, so be vigilant for the turning.
Drive from Saint Marcel20-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 06
FunRu Pompillard & the Big Red Bench
This route takes you along the Via Francigena for about 3 miles before turning off to the right and heading upwards to find Ru Pompillard and walking back. The route deviates to take you to a very big, red bench at the top of a vineyard, which is lots of fun.
Drive from Saint Marcel15-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 07
Family adventureGalleria Ru du Mont – near Doues
The Ru du Mont is known in the Aosta Valley for the long pedestrian tunnel that pierces the mountain to reach the pastures of Doues. A torch could be handy plus an extra coat as it can be cold in the tunnel, even on a hot day. This is a real adventure and a great walk for children. The route is lined periodically with sculptures and boards telling stories of protective fairies and a white snake. When finished, visit the Valpelline Visitor Center Cooperativa Fontine, a museum dedicated to Fontina.
Drive from Saint Marcel35-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 08
FavouriteÉtroubles to Gignod
This is one of my favourites! The route starts in Étroubles opposite the Hôtel Beau Séjour. The first part takes you along the Run Neuf, which is also on the Via Francigena. After 5 miles you reach a tarmac road above Gignod. You can return to the car along the same route, or continue left down the road and along paths into Gignod. Once there, enjoy a beer in Bar La Gabella and watch travellers heading off towards the nearby Swiss border. To return to the car take bus number 422 from the bus stop opposite the bar. Allow between 2.5 and 3 hours to get to Gignod, with stops to take in the views.
Getting aroundBus 422 returns from Gignod. Check the bus timetable when planning your day.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 09
Mountain viewsChamois
The start of this route is a bit of a drive to get to, but well worth it. Make a day of it and have lunch in Chamois. The route follows Passeggiata Chamois Magdaleine with wonderful views of the iconic Matterhorn. At Chamois you can return along the route to the car, or take the chair lift up the steep climb to Lago di Lodi, or follow the path if feeling energetic. At the top, look for Rifugio Alpino l’Ermitage Chamois for lunch. Note that it does not open all year round; if closed there are restaurants and pizzerias in Chamois. The route back avoids the steep climb near the chair lift.
Drive from Saint Marcel45-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 10
Day adventureRifugio Prarayer
The Refuge (Rifugio) of Prarayer is placed in the high Bionaz valley, between big mountains, glaciers, forests, torrents and lakes. It sits at the head of Lake Moulin and serves typical Aosta Valley food, making this a great lunchtime adventure. The start of this route is 60 minutes drive from the house, but is well worth it, with fabulous views of the Moulin Dam. This is one of the largest and highest dams in Europe.
Drive from Saint Marcel60-minute drive.
← Back to all walksOpen the links from the original QR codes
WALK 11
Castle & wineCastello di Aymavilles
The Aymavilles Castle is located in the municipality of the same name, on a hill surrounded by vineyards along the road to Cogne. The walk takes you through woods and then back past a unique mound wrapped in fields of vines. As you walk back into Aymavilles you pass by the Cave des Onze Communes, a winemaking cooperative which is worth visiting. Hôtel Ristorante Pizzeria Château in Aymavilles is very nice for lunch.
Drive from Saint Marcel30-minute drive.
← Back to all walks“The beauty of Valle d’Aosta is that there is something for everyone.”
— Peter DixonBeyond the walks
Places to visit
Ideas from the original guide for days when you want a little less walking — or simply a change of scenery.
Aosta
Food, Piazza Chanoux and places to enjoy typical Valdostan cuisine.
Links from the original QR codes
Courmayeur & Skyway
A trip towards Courmayeur and the Skyway Monte Bianco experience.
Skyway website ↗
Shopping & markets
Local produce, cheese, prosciutto, genepy and market days around the valley.
Links from the original QR codes
Local life
Activities
There is plenty to do beyond walking — from cycling the Dora to local sporting and cultural traditions.
Bike hire
E-bikes open up the upper valley, while the traffic-free Dora cycle path provides an easy way to explore.
Links from the original QR codes
Bataille de Reines & Tsan
Discover two distinctive local traditions: the cow competitions and the unusual Tsan ball game.
River Dora cycle path
An easy tarmacked, traffic-free path running alongside the Dora Baltea, suitable for walking, running or cycling.
Stade Valdôtain Rugby
Rugby in the Alps, with home games in Sarre and a welcoming local atmosphere.
Ancient route
Walk the Via Francigena
Many of the walks include sections of the Via Francigena, the ancient pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome. In Valle d’Aosta it crosses from the Great St Bernard Pass down through the Dora valley, passing from castle to castle towards Ivrea.
You can also research dedicated sections and use the valley’s bus and train network to help create point-to-point walks.
Link from the original QR code
Saint Marcel & District Walks
Inspired by happy days exploring Valle d’Aosta and meeting its friendly people.
Published by Peter Dixon · January 2025