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Home , Allein, Aosta Valley, Cogne, Dora Baltea, Etroubles, Via Francigena

VALLEY TRAILS

DISCOVERING THE BY FOOT

AOSTA VALLEY TRAILS- DISCOVERING THE ALPS SUMMARY This idyllic walk meanders through the tranquil ; abundant with wild flowers and green pastures which are in deep contrast to the snowy peak mountains. You will get to explore ’s best kept secret, authentic hilltop villages, ancient castles and the region’s culture and traditions.

The Aosta Valley is the Italian region in the Alps where you will find the highest mountains in Europe, including , Mont Rosa and . Aosta Valley; the smallest of the Italian regions and lies in the northwest of the country, between and , boasts an outstanding historical and cultural heritage, as well as top quality wines and speciality foods.

Your holiday begins in the hamlet of ; a small, traditional mountain village located on the southern slope of the Val del Gran San Bernardo. You then continue on the trail to Saint Pierre, Saint Nicholas, and finally onto . Walking in the Alps will live up to all your dreams, walking on quiet roads over rolling hills through the heart of the valley. Perhaps stopping for a long lunch at a local vineyard, medieval town or just a roadside field where you can kick back and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. Tour: Aosta Valley Trails Your holiday is a 8 day and 9 night itinerary, which incorporates 8 days of moderate walking. Your holiday Code: WITAVT includes nine nights accommodation in a traditional hotels, a delicious breakfast and evening meal each Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday day, luggage transport on days 2, 3, 5 and 7, a detailed information pack complete with route notes, local Price: See Website information and maps and emergency support from our local representative. Dates: Daily through June & July and from 20th August through to end of September Days: 10 Days (8 Walking Days) Nights: 9 Nights HIGHLIGHTS Start/Finish: Allein / Cogne Grade: Moderate  Explore traditional hilltop villages Closest Airport: or  Historical castles and monasteries Is It For Me?  Enjoy mouth-watering and world-famous wines Food, wine, sunshine, quiet trails, unique  Panoramic views of Mount Blanc accommodation and authentic undiscovered Italy. What more could you want from the  Walking in the Gran Paradiso National Park perfect walking holiday?

WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALKING HOLIDAY WITH US? Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. Each trip we offer is unique and tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs Adventure What’s Included? you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately. Accommodation: 9 nights accommodation. Meals: Half board (drinks excluded) Self guided walking holidays are a wonderful relaxed way to discover the magic of Italy. Free to travel at Luggage transfers: Luggage transfers are your own pace and wander off the beaten track, you will discover the beauty of the landscape, the warmth included in your package and is normally of the people and the long history of this spectacular land. We will supply you with a road book with a clear provided by the accommodation itself. map and a pre-departure information pack to guide you every step of the way so there is no need for a Information Pack: Detailed route notes, guide. Your baggage will be collected and moved onto your next accommodation so that you are free to maps and emergency phone support from our local representative. walk each day with just a daypack. In the unlikely event you should require emergency support our office is always more than happy to help with your queries. So, from the moment you decide to visit Italy you can relax and look forward to an unforgettable self-guided walking holiday. We hope that you will choose to travel with Macs Adventure soon. AOSTA VALLEY TRAILS

DISCOVERING THE ALPS BY FOOT

bottom of the valley on the ; the Overnight: Les Ecureuils Homene Dessus, ITINERARY ancient route from to Saint Pierre , your afternoon is filled with a relaxed walk Code: WITAVT through diverse and gradually descending paths DAY 5 Days: 10 (8 Walking Days) until you finally arrive at the quaint hamlet of Walk to Vens - 7 miles / 12.2km Nights: 9 Arpuilles. Walking from east to west along the high slopes Overnight: Hirondelle Hotel Arpuilles more than 2000 metres above the valley, on the Day Route Miles Hotel Hirondelle is located in a quiet location 5km higher section of the trail you will find the outside Aosta, this family-run hotel offers rooms pastures where the famous and Toma are made along with awe inspiring 1 Arrive Ville with views of the Alps and has a traditional views of the villages and farms below. 2 Walk to Arpuilles 7 restaurant offering authentic cuisine. 3 Walk to Homene Dessus 9 Overnight: Hotel Vagneur Vens, Saint Nicolas 4 Walk to Lac Fallere and 9 DAY 3 back Walk to Homene Dussus - 9 miles / This alpine retreat offers panoramic views over 5 Walk to Vens 7 the Aosta Valley, it has traditional décor and 6 Walk to Pointe Oilletta 5 15km wooden furniture, the restaurant also serves local and back The day starts with a challenging climb to above specialities accompanied by some locally 7 Walk to Villeneuve 6 2000 metres, you walk through flower laden produced wines. 8 Walk Lillaz round walk 6 meadows overlooking the valley and the high 9 Walk Gimillan round 9 DAY 6 mountains towering around you. Finally you will walk 10 Onward travel arrive at your accommodation next to the lonely Walk to Pointe Oilletta and back - 5 chapel, just outside the village of SaintPierre. miles / 8.6km Total Distance 58 Overnight: Les Ecureuils Homene Dessus, Saint From the village of Vens you begin with a steady Pierre walk into the old gold mine area, you then climb DAY 1 Les Ecureulis is a 1700 century restored farm 2616 metres on a tough trek to the Oiletta peak, your effort will be rewarded with limitless views of Arrive in Ville, Allein house, this rustic building is made of local stone and wood and has traditional home features. The the Grand Paradiso and the . Arrive in the hamlet of Allein, located on the balcony offers breath-taking views of the Gran Today’s walk is steep and scrambly in places. southern slope of the Val del Grand San Paradiso National park and the perfect place to Overnight: Hotel Vagneur Vens, Saint Nicolas Bernardo. Spend the remainder of the day relax. relaxing and enjoying the view and the peaceful DAY 7 atmosphere of this town. DAY 4 Walk to Villeneuve - 6 miles / 10km Overnight: Agriturismo Lo Ratele Ville, Allein Walk Saint Pierre to Lac Fallére & back via Becca France - 9 miles / The long decent along the River is The La Ratele is a small idyllic working farm, the on well established pathways, alternated with flat 15.7km owner works hard to ensure your stay is sections, where the vegetation becomes drier memorable, with good food, local wine, stunning You will meander through the Bois de Verrogne with fewer conifers and more fruit trees and views and a friendly welcome. Even the goats and after a tough climb you reach the crystal vineyards. Along the way you will encounter and donkeys on her land will welcome you in clear Lake Faller situated at 2415 metres. En- variety of castles and churches of different their unique way. route you have breath-taking views of the many historical periods. From the end of the walk you mountain peaks surrounding you. The descent will travel to Cogne by public transport. DAY 2 beyond Becca France allows you to navigate Overnight: Hotel Grauson Gimillan, Cogne Walk to Arpuilles - 7 miles / 12.6km yourself through thick forest woodland on a slope where there is no pathway or trails to follow but This family run hotel offers a warm and pleasant The day begins with a gentle descent to the the correct direction is clear to see. welcome and is situated in the centre of the AOSTA VALLEY TRAILS

DISCOVERING THE ALPS BY FOOT

village, all the rooms have private bathrooms and walker and have a good level of fitness to get the TRAVEL INFORMATION are furnished in alpine style, some have most from this holiday balcony’s with stunning mountain views. Getting to Allein Navigation DAY 8 Air - Turin is the closest airport and is serviced Some of the walks on this trip are way marked by BA, Ryanair and Easyjet. Round walk from Lillaz - 6 miles / but many are not and you will need to follow the 10km route notes and maps. We supply very detailed From the airport take a train to Turin train station route notes and maps so navigation is generally (approx. 30 minutes), get off at Porto Susa Reach the mountain village of Lillaz; known for easy. You will be walking in the high mountains station and take a train to Aosta (approx. 2 it’s waterfalls, where the days walk begins with a and the ability to navigate with a map and hours). steady climb to Loie Lake which is at 2354 compass in the event of bad weather is In Aosta take the bus to (Aosta- metres, walking along a mountain stream you recommended. pass other small lakes and gradually you reach line). There is one bus in the late the bottom of Urtier Valley, for here you take the Accommodation afternoon (approx. 20 minutes). bus back to the accommodation. Your holiday includes nine nights In Etroubles you will be picked up by the owner Overnight: Hotel Grauson Gimillan, Cogne accommodation in small, cosy and quiet of the first accommodation and taken there for a mountain family run hotels and farmhouses. small fee. It is important to call the DAY 9 accommodation owner in advance to inform him All rooms have private en-suite facilities, except about the arrival time. Round walk from Gimillan - 9 miles / in Saint Pierre where there are also rooms with 14.8km shared bathrooms. Rail - Eurostar from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord, Paris (approx. 3 hr), then take the TVG Your last day is rather relaxing as you gently Alternate accommodation stroll along the trodden pathways to the Colle train from Gare de Lyon, Paris to Turin (approx. 6 Tsa Sétse, where you will find Alpine Marmots During high season you might be booked into a hr) , continue by bus to Aosta (approx. 20 mins) and from where you can enjoy great views of the different accommodation which is not listed in the Mont Blanc mountains, your walk back is through description. Any alternative accommodation will Getting from Cogne open farmland contrasting with thick woodland be of the same or better standard as those Air - Turin is the closest airport and is serviced walkways. described. We will let you know if this is the case by BA, Ryanair and Easyjet. on confirmation of your booking. Overnight: Hotel Grauson Gimillan, Cogne Rail - Bus to Aosta (approx. 1 hr), take the TVG Meals DAY 10 train to Turin (approx. 2 hr) take another TVG There will be a delicious savoury breakfast and train to Gare de Lyon, Paris (approx. 6 hr), catch The trip ends after breakfast . evening meal (drinks excluded) served each day, the Eurostar from Gare du Nord, Paris to London including a great selection of regional specialties. St Pancras (approx. 3 hr) HOLIDAY INFORMATION Single Rooms & Solo Walkers Travel Insurance Additional Nights and Extensions If you require single rooms within your party we It is a condition of booking with us that you have would be happy to accommodate you although suitable travel insurance that covers you for We can book you additional nights at any point there is a single room supplement payable. This cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. along the walk. holiday is available for solo walkers but we would

Grade & Fitness recommend that you are more experienced in walking and navigating alone. If you are travelling This walking tour is graded moderate, due to the solo the holiday is more expensive as some relatively steep ascents on most days. Day 6 has costs are not shared. a particularly steep and scrambly section and you will need to be comfortable walking uphill on steep rocky terrain. You should be a regular AOSTA VALLEY TRAILS

DISCOVERING THE ALPS BY FOOT

ABTA Member Statement PRICE & AVAILABILITY HOW TO BOOK Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA. ABTA Availability Once you have read all the information in this and ABTA Members help factsheet or on our website , you can then book This walking holiday is available between 1st holidaymakers to get the most from their travel online at www.macsadventure.com or by phone and assist when things don’t go according to June to 31st July and 20th August to 21st on +44 (0) 141 530 8886 or USA Toll Free +1- September. plan. We are obliged to maintain a high standard 866-355-1037. of service to you by ABTA’s Code of Conduct. Price Please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone on For more information on ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to Detailed up to date prices for all our trips are +44 (0) 0141 530 8886 or email: you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 available on our website here [email protected] if you have any queries and one of our expert customer service Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117 Included team will be happy to help. 0581 www.abta.com  9 nights on a half board basis in a good 3 star hotel. BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE  Luggage transfers on days 2, 3, 5 and 7.  Detailed route book, maps and pre-departure Financial Security information pack. In accordance with "The Package Travel,  24-hour assistance by phone Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with Excluded Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all  Flights and public transport monies paid to us, including repatriation if  All lunches required (this insurance will not cover repatriation  Travel insurance to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or  Entrance fees of any kind curtailment of your travel arrangements due to  Tips and gratuities the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd  Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc. There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided. This  Any items not specifically mentioned in the insurance is only valid for packages booked that programme. DO NOT include flights.

Optional Extras Consumer aware: Your booking is insured by IPP Ltd and its panel of insurers. - This insurance is  Single room supplement(s) if applicable only valid for passengers who book and pay  Airport arrival and / or departure transfers directly with/to Macs Adventure Ltd. For further information please go to www.ipplondon.co.uk  Additional nights during the holiday.