This article is sponsored by our friends at Courmayeur.
Look beyond the Tour du Mont Blanc; visit Courmayeur and its verdant valleys for a cocktail of adventure and relaxation at Italy’s peak.
To visit Courmayeur is to experience Italy at its peak. Here, the majesty of the Alps meets the elegance and charm of a timeless mountain village. Nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc, Courmayeur is the perfect destination for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, whether you seek adrenaline or moments of relaxation amidst breathtaking landscapes.
Courmayeur is one of numerous charming pitstops on the Tour du Mont Blanc – but the town’s two surrounding valleys are well worth exploring to dodge the tourists. With over 300km of marked trails, Courmayeur is a paradise for hikers. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced mountaineer, you’ll find routes suitable for every skill level. Imagine walking through pine forests, alpine meadows, and sparkling glaciers, with breathtaking views of Mont Blanc always in sight.
Val Ferret
A valley suitable for everyone during every season, Val Ferret is the realm of cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking, and snow biking in winter. In summer, it is a paradise for hiking, biking, golf, and fishing. Good food lovers can visit it at any time of the year.
Val Ferret means many activities, all year round, for everyone. Mountaineers, cross-country skiers, non-sportsmen, families with children: this is the right place for you. A unique panorama characterizes this valley, with the majesty of Mont Blanc, the Dente del Gigante, the Grandes Jorasses, the Aiguille de Triolet, and Mont Dolent peaks.
In winter, the cross-country ski trail and the pedestrian path are a paradise for those who love outdoor sports. In summer, you can go mountain biking, try fishing, test your skills on the courses of the Courmayeur et Grandes Jorasses Golf Club, or choose one of the many nature trails or excursions that lead to the refuges.
Numerous restaurants scattered along the valley are the ideal place to discover the typical flavours of the mountains.
Two walkers looking into Val Ferret. Credit: Courmayeur Mont Blanc
Val Vény
Wilder than the Val Ferret, this valley holds many surprises: the majestic glaciers of Miage and Brenva, the magical forest of Peuterey, the lakes of Miage and Combal, an ancient sanctuary, and, in wintertime, the summer trails turn into the slopes and freeride trails of the beautiful ski area of Courmayeur.
The hiking season starts in spring with the opening of the valley. You can walk to the spectacular Lake Miage or Lake Combal, or in the magical woods of Peuterey. There are also those who take a trip to the Col de la Seigne that marks the border between Italy and France in the shadow of the Pyramides Calcaires, limestone formations set at the top of the Miage glacier.
If you love the outdoors, this valley is the right place for you: in Val Vény there are numerous spacious and modern camping sites, equipped with all the comforts. Restaurants and charming mountain huts line the Val Vény to welcome visitors and hikers while the Notre-Dame de la Guérison sanctuary, nestled in the mountains, is still a pilgrimage destination.
Val Veny at sunset. Credit: Courmayeur Mont Blanc
The Val Vény becomes magical every summer, setting the scene for Celtica Valle d’Aosta, the international festival of Celtic music, art, and culture that takes place in the woods of Peuterey during the first weekend of July. Artists from countries of Celtic tradition celebrate and spread the culture with concerts, dance and theatre performances, exhibitions, workshops, and animations for adults and children.
Learn more about this ‘place above ordinary’ at www.courmayeurmontblanc.it.
