At the heart of the Alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, the Aosta Valley in northwest Italy is surrounded by some of Europe’s highest peaks: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc. 

Offering mountaineering, walks and hikes featuring alpine nature and spectacular vistas, Italy’s smallest region is also a top destination for cycling and mountain biking enthusiasts, with dedicated tracks and numerous stations with bike parks and downhill circuits. Other highlights include summer skiing, golf and water sports such as canyoning, rafting or canoeing. 

Here’s a look at some of the adventures and activities on offer in Aosta Valley this summer… 

Hiking at Cammino Balteo

This is a circular itinerary of under 220 miles with an altitude between 500m and 1,900m above sea level. The circuit, which can be taken in both directions, is divided into 23 stages of about four to six hours each and takes you through more than 40 municipalities of the Aosta Valley region. Take a journey into the innermost heart of the territory and discover the architecture of the villages, local traditions, and also the rural landscape: pastures, vineyards, cellars and creameries. Cammino Balteo is a route that thrills in the presence of Roman and medieval history, but which also becomes an immersion in nature: lakes, waterfalls, nature reserves and wooded areas. 

Cycle and biking

Enjoy one of the many cycling itineraries covering a total of more than 1,000kms of dirt tracks and paved trails. Those who love road cycling, for example, can try their hand at various scenic routes – some more accessible, such as the cycle path of the valley floor among vineyards and castles, and other more challenging, with climbs and descents along the great Alpine hills. Wooded paths, mule tracks and farm roads are perfect for those who prefer mountain bike adventures. The region’s peaked and vertical areas make it an ideal place for downhill, freeride or cross-country. Various bike parks and enduro routes can be reached via chairlifts suitable for taking cyclists to the top along with their bikes. 

2023 Giro d’Italia

The 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia cycling grand tour passes through the Aosta Valley on Friday 19 May 2023. It will depart from Borgofranco d’Ivrea and arrive in Crans-Montana, via the Great Saint Bernard mountain pass which will be the “Cima Coppi” (highest point) of the 2023 edition. The route of this stage, for a total of 207km, has a classic alpine configuration: a flat approach, followed by a series of very long climbs interspersed with short flat sectors, typical of the U-shaped valleys of the western Alps, to reach the 2,469m of the Gran San Bernardo pass, the highest point in terms of altitude reached by cyclists during the Giro.

Gran Paradiso National Park

Home to rich natural heritage of rare beauty, the Aosta region encompasses a total of ten nature reserves including wetlands, areas populated by butterflies, migratory birds and many other wonders of nature. Gran Paradiso National Park (the first and oldest Italian national park) is home to 59 glaciers between 800m above sea level at the bottom of the valley and 4,061m to the summit of Gran Paradiso. In the woods at the bottom of the valley you’ll find pines, firs, larches and white firs. As you climb, the trees give way to alpine meadows, very flowered in spring, then to mountains and glaciers. The rich fauna of the park includes many alpine species and it is rare to hike without encountering animals. 

Images: aosta-valley.co.uk (main) and Mike Starling/TheWeek.co.uk