Loop trail in Arpy: between nature, history and mining

Just 8 km from Morgex, the hamlet of Arpy welcomes visitors with a public car park at the entrance to the village. From here, a loop trail begins, combining Alpine landscapes with historical heritage.

The route crosses the village, passing the Arpy Hostel, which offers bar and restaurant services — perfect for a break before or after the walk. Just beyond, there is a fountain to refill your water bottle.

The first 300 metres are paved, then you turn right onto a compact dirt road, suitable even for families with children. The trail alternates between flat areas and steeper climbs, winding through the forest. A more challenging stretch lies about 3 km in: 200 metres with a 15-20% gradient.

Points of interest:
• The old mining tunnel that once connected Arpy with the La Thuile mine
• The bridge over the Arpy stream, marking the start of the return path
• Information panels about mining history, along with drawings made by children from the Morgex primary school
• A brick building, once used as a workshop and depot for the mining locomotives

A dive into mining history

In the 1920s, Arpy experienced significant growth thanks to the industrial exploitation of the anthracite deposit in La Thuile. After the mines were acquired in 1927 by the National Cogne Company, the area became a busy miners’ village, with housing and infrastructure for extraction. The mines remained active until 1966.