Aosta - Fénis
Resorts: Aosta, Brissogne, Charvensod, Fénis, Pollein, Saint-Marcel
This is a long, but not particularly demanding walk that leaves from the region’s capital, Aosta, and leads to the magnificent Fénis Castle, the undisputed icon of the Aosta Valley Middle Ages, letting you appreciate “Plaine” of Envers through the municipalities of Charvensod, Pollein, Brissogne and Saint-Marcel.
Route
From Aosta, you’ll move to Charvensod, passing the Dora Baltea at Pont-Suaz. You’ll take the path towards Pollein above the hamlet of Condemine, which is almost flat until you get to Fénis.
Walking half way up, still at the edge of the forest, you can enjoy the scenic view of the Dora plain and the opposite slopes of the Adret. You’ll then take a dip into the Aosta Valley, amidst cultivated fields and stables, amusing yourself by pointing out the many medieval towers, which are often concealed between the rocks and brush, which peep out, zigzagging along the ridges.
Then from Pollein to Brissogne, all the way to Saint-Marcel, where a longer route could be dedicated to the mines, the green waters, Plout Sanctuary or merely to a tasting session of prosciutto crudo, raw ham seasoned with mountain herbs.
Lastly, you’ll come to Fénis where, welcomed by the lovely parish church of San Maurizio, after a visit to the MAV (Aosta Valley Traditional Crafts Museum), all that will be left to do is devote yourself to enjoying the beautiful turreted manor house of the aristocratic Challant family.