The mines of Cogne
Resorts: Cogne
A step back in time in the highest mines in Europe.
The history of the magnetite mines of Liconi, Colonna and Costa del Pino, situated at the slopes of Mount Creya, is said to commence from the era of the Salassians and the Romans.
The Church held usage rights up to 1679, when the bishop Bailly sold the mines to the Municipality of Cogne. A lengthy period of inactivity followed, which was most likely due to the lack of capital and labour. Interest in the problem of the mines by the Mayor Grappein, led to the building of a carriageable road about 6 km in length, which was completed in 1824, and which reached Vieyes from Champlong (where the material arrived on sleighs).
Moreover, Doctor Grappein also proposed a fair sub-division of the profits from the mines among all the inhabitants of Cogne. Around the mid-19th century, the crisis in the iron industry forces the Municipality to rent the mine, and up until the early decades of the 1900’s very little work was done. The two World Wars and the State Intervention were cause for an impulse to use the mines, which lasted up to 1970, when they were hit by a serious crisis that imposed a slow-down in production, the mines have been closed since March 1979.
Route
The mines of Cogne represent a beautiful testimony of industrial archaeology: the remains of the aerial ropeways used for transporting the material are still clearly visible, the cableway for passengers arriving in Colonna from Cogne and the numerous buildings, the mine workers could in fact take advantage of the store, the library and even a cinema. The ancient silver mine of Valeille, the copper mine of Ecloseur and the magnetite mine of Larsinaz are also worth mentioning.
It will be possible to venture inside the mine thanks to the suggestive vintage train and then continue on foot in the heart of the mountain for a visit that lasts about 2 hours.
Useful information
-the mine is accessed by train and the temperature is 7 degrees
-heavy clothing and trekking shoes are recommended
-minors must be accompanied, the site is accessible to children over 5 years
-the mining route is not accessible to dogs
How to get there
- 1h30: On foot via a scenic walk suitable for everyone. Take the shuttle bus from Cogne, get off at Montroz opposite the little church, and take the track on the right across the bridge over the stream.
- 1h45: On foot, leaving your car at the Villaggio Minatori, in the car park behind the Fondation Grand Paradis building. Walk up the main road and, at the little church inside the Montroz hairpin bend, take the track on the right across the bridge over the stream.
- 2h30: On foot from Cogne, follow the signs for Gimillan and, at the little church in Montroz, take the track on the right across the bridge over the stream.
- 1h00: By e-bike from Cogne, follow the signs for Gimillan and, at the little church in Montroz, take the track on the right across the bridge over the stream.
Prices and bookings
€20.00 full price – €15.00 reduced price (children under 14, groups of at least 15 people, school groups and holders of the Aosta Valley Card). Free admission: holders of the Abbonamento Musei Pass, group leaders, and people with disabilities.
Booking is required and can be made in the following ways
- online, here
- at the Mining Park Exhibition Centre in the Miners’ Village
- at the Tourist Operators’ Consortium in the main square of Cogne
The tour is confirmed with a minimum of 10 people. Ad hoc groups can be arranged.
Summer 2026 opening times: May: special tours for school groups. From 30 May to 30 September, daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm (meeting point at Costa del Pino)
See also
Note - this information is not directly connected to the Cammino Balteo path but it is part of the Aosta Valley tourist offer.