Walking in the Aosta Valley

Tucked into the northwest corner of Italy, the Aosta Valley is one of the Alps' most dramatic and underrated walking destinations. Surrounded by the highest peaks in Western Europe — Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa — this autonomous region offers an extraordinary concentration of alpine scenery, from glaciated high passes and ancient Roman roads to the medieval monasteries of the Grand St Bernard and the medieval fortress of Forte di Bard.

With walks suited to beginners and experienced mountain walkers alike, this first edition Cicerone guidebook by Andy Hodges covers 32 routes from 4 to 20km (2 to 12 miles), taking between 1 and 6 hours to complete. Route descriptions are paired with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, with summaries of via ferrata and trail-running options included throughout.

• 32 walks and scrambles across six areas, covering the main valley, the Lys valley, Valtournenche, Valpelline, the Great St Bernard Pass and Courmayeur, with routes ranging from short leisurely walks to challenging scrambles bordering on mountaineering
• Route highlights include views of Mont Blanc from the Rifugio Bonatti, the balcony routes above Cervinia with Matterhorn views, the Grand St Bernard Monastery, which has welcomed travellers for over a thousand years, and the Roman road at Forte di Bard
• Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc massif are covered with routes including Mont de la Saxe, Mont Chétif and the Tour of the Pyramides Calcaires, offering some of the finest alpine panoramas accessible to walkers in the Italian Alps
• Via ferrata and trail running summaries provide options for those seeking a greater challenge, making this a versatile walking guidebook to the Aosta Valley
• 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files for every route, with practical information on accommodation, public transport, and wildlife throughout

The Aosta Valley sits at the crossroads of three of the Alps' greatest peaks, yet remains quieter and less visited than its French and Swiss neighbours. This guidebook opens up a region that rewards every walker who takes the time to explore it.