Cogne walks

An easy but long day. No complaints about the climb. However, be careful towards the end as there are many paths that look alike. From Chardonney, there is little public transport. It is possible to hitchhike to Pont-Saint-Martin. With all the French place names, you wouldn’t think you were in Italy. From Pont-Saint-Martin, there are buses to Gressonney-Saint-Jean.

A fairly popular hike that takes you close to the foothills of Gran Paradiso. You might spot some ibex if you’re lucky!

A lovely hike in the Cogne area with stunning views of Gran Paradiso.

An easy walk from the beautiful village of Gimillan to Lago Money. You can decide what to do when you arrive at waypoint 2:Most people walk to the Laghi di Lussert, which is also very beautiful, but a 1-hour longer walk.I did it a few years ago, that's why we walked to the silent and very beautiful Lago Money.

Spectacular view over Gran Paradiso.

A walk through the hunting grounds of King Victor Emmanuel, who owned a very large building in Orvieille that is currently being refurbished. Passing through the mountain pastures that follow, the very pretty Lac de Djouan then comes into view.

A long day lies ahead with the climb to the Col de Lauzon (3,299m). This is the highest point of the TDG. The descent from the pass is pure delight. It is possible to run downhill for 3–4 km to the Vittorio Sella Refuge. It is a large refuge with plenty of people. The descent to Valnontey is also long, but there are plenty of cafés to rest in.

From Valsavaranche to Val de Cogne in the middle of a herd of chamois.

Starting from the charming La Pineta campsite, this walk takes you on a journey of discovery through the region, combining history, nature and quaint little hamlets. The route alternates between country lanes, nature trails and sections through villages. Some sections may be more challenging, with paths that are occasionally steep, narrow or rugged. A good level of fitness and suitable footwear are therefore recommended. The route favours quiet paths and tracks as much as possible to avoid roads. However, a few road crossings are unavoidable during the walk. A wonderful way to discover the region in a different light, whilst making the most of its landscapes and heritage.

A truly magnificent mountain route. Ascent, crossing the Col du Grand Small Pass, then descent. A fairly classic circuit where you are likely to see animals such as chamois and marmots. This circuit can be done in either direction, but the direction indicated allows you to enjoy impressive views on arrival at the Col du Grand Small Pass.

Facing the Grand Paradis, these two mountain pastures, now abandoned, offer a beautiful view of the glacier and the summit of this particularly popular mountain.

A visit to the Victor Emmanuel Refuge, which, like its neighbour the Chabod Refuge, can be considered the base camp for the summit of Gran Paradiso, located in the province of Aosta in northern Italy. A steep but short climb that ends between the refuge and Lake Moncorvé.

A lovely autumn circular with magnificent views of the Aosta Valley and Cly Castle. Parking in Nus, pleasant climb in stages. On the way back, a meal or refreshment in Nus is a must!

A very pleasant hike offering the chance to visit a refuge nestled in a mountain pasture overlooking the Orco Valley.

A balcony trail. Stage4 of the circular route in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Return to the Valsavarenche valley.

A pleasant route that alternates between mountain pastures and forests to reach Mont Joux. This modest peak offers a view of Monte Bianco. The route also offers a wide panorama of peaks ranging from 3,000 to almost 4,000 metres, such as Punta Pousset (3,046) above Cogne, Grivola (3,969), the Grand Paradis massif and Punta del Ran (3,272) in the Ruitor massif.

A magnificent route featuring an open-air museum. The climb to the refuge is dotted with numerous sculptures. You will be surprised by strange creatures, characters and animals hidden behind trees or rocks. The route features around 300 pieces, all created by Siro Vierin. Between the Fallère Refuge and Lago Fallère, you will walk along the Tour du Mont Fallère trail.

Cross the mountain pastures along a descending path, from where there is a magnificent view of Lake Agniel and Lake Serru (2,240 m). A path leads to Lago Delle Rocc Grandi and the high-altitude path over the Col du Carro (3,122 m). The pass marks the French-Italian border and the entrance to the Vanoise National Park. A steep descent leads to the Refuge du Carro (2,759 m) for a well-deserved rest. Please note: Just before Lac du Caro, the glacier tongue has swept away the landmarks (markings, cairns), makingnavigation and progress very difficult(see notice dated 7 September 2026).

The second stage of the Tour du Mont Fallere promises a day of stunning views. Once you’ve completed the climb up to the ridges, the path alternates between descents and ascents, offering panoramic views of the Matterhorn to begin with, followed by the entire Aosta Valley and the peaks along the border.

The final day of the Tour du Mont Fallere. The first part of the day involves climbing to the Col Fenêtre, followed by a bonus ascent to the summit of Monte di Vertosan (3,821 m) for an exceptional 360° panorama (Mont Blanc – Grand Combin – Matterhorn – Gran Paradiso). This is followed by a long descent, with a fairly steep, winding first section, then a fast, rolling track through the forest to round off the circular tour.