Doing sport along the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley

The first stage of the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley is a fascinating challenge for all lovers of outdoor sports, high-altitude trekking and alpine landscapes. It starts at the legendary Great St Bernard Pass, a historic 2,473-metre-high Alpine pass, that has been crossed since Roman times and has featured in famous stages of both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France. Today, it remains a landmark for hikers, cyclists and enthusiasts of winter sports including ski mountaineering and snowshoeing.

After the unmissable visit to the Hospice Museum and the famous St Bernard kennel – a symbol of these mountains – the real journey begins. The stretch leading up to Echevennoz is 14.93 km long and is among the most challenging of the Francigen route: a descent on a mule track, marked by path 103, which offers spectacular views and crosses unspoilt high-altitude environments.

The route can also be tackled by mountain bike or gravel bike, but it requires skill and stamina, especially in the initial section, where you pass through an avalanche control tunnel and avoid the road tunnel by taking a more scenic alternative. For road cyclists, our advice is to tackle the ascent of the pass at weekends, when heavy traffic is reduced and the climb becomes a true sporting and scenic experience.

Along the descent, you pass through some of the most picturesque villages in the Aosta Valley: Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses, Saint-Léonard, Saint-Oyen and Étroubles, which offer fresh water fountains and refreshment points ideal for a rejuvenating break.

Those who still have the energy can continue on to Gignod or even as far as Aosta, but Echevennoz remains the recommended finishing point for this first stage, not least because there is a welcoming hostel where you can stay overnight. A route that combines sport, nature and culture, immersed in the austere and authentic beauty of the Aosta Valley Alps.

The second day along the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley – from Echevennoz to Aosta (13.87 km) – is a true immersion in the landscape and history of the area, perfect for walkers, trail runners and hiking enthusiasts. The route is varied and engaging, alternating moments of pure relaxation with more technical downhill sections, providing a natural workout for the body and an endless feast for the eyes.

The initial section is one of the most evocative of the entire route: you pass by the rus, the ancient hand-dug irrigation canals, masterpieces of Aosta Valley agricultural engineering. As you run or walk along these canals, through shady woodland and open meadows, you feel as though you are moving in harmony with nature and with thousands of years of agricultural history. The water flows slowly, and the path is smooth and flat: ideal conditions for those who enjoy running in natural surroundings or simply want a rejuvenating hike.

However, the route is not without its challenges: some of the downhill sections become steep and technical, putting your balance, knees and ankles to the test. It is here that the route also becomes ideal terrain for those who love trail running or want to test themselves on more challenging sections, surrounded by a natural setting of great beauty.

In the second part of the stage, the scenery changes: the woods give way to orchards, neat apple orchards and the first signs of the city. Aosta announces itself with its colours and the discreet but unmistakable silhouette of its Roman monuments, which become fully visible once you reach the city centre.

Along the way, refreshment points in Gignod and Variney offer the opportunity to recharge your batteries, while the numerous drinking fountains dotted along the route provide fresh water for athletes and walkers. In winter, part of the route can also be covered with snowshoes, making this stage an outdoor experience that can be enjoyed all year round.

The stage from Aosta to Châtillon, with its 27.67 km of medium-difficulty paths, is one of the most varied and athletic on the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley. Although the 'downhill' direction along the valley may suggest an easier route, the path follows a winding track, with continuous ups and downs on the left-hand side of the Dora Baltea, designed to steer clear of the busy roads at the bottom of the valley and allow walkers to immerse themselves fully in nature.

Perfect for experienced hikers, trail runners and well-trained walkers, this stage alternates gentler stretches with more demanding sections, with elevation changes that put both endurance and technique to the test. The scenery, however, more than makes up for the effort: carefully tended vineyards, peaceful villages and castles that seem suspended in time accompany you along the way. The route passes close to the castles of Quart and Nus, while those of Cly and Fénis dominate the landscape from afar, like Alpine sentinels.

Even in winter, the area offers interesting sporting opportunities: snowshoeing, ski mountaineering and ice skating transform the region into a playground for snow sports enthusiasts. And for the more adventurous, there is also ice climbing, heli-skiing and snowkiting in the surrounding area, making the region a truly all-round outdoor destination in every season.

During the stage, the villages of Nus and Chambave offer convenient refreshment stops for a restorative break, while the many fountains along the route ensure a constant supply of water, essential for those tackling the trail in a sporting spirit.

A day of walking, or running, that combines scenic beauty, cultural heritage and physical challenge: the perfect balance between movement and wonder, in the heart of the Aosta Valley.

The fourth stage of this five-day route along the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley – from Châtillon to Verrès (27.67 km) – brings together sport, history and nature. Ideal for seasoned hikers, trail runners or cyclists in search of thrills and views, the route immediately puts your legs to the test with an intense initial climb. The effort is worth every step thanks to a view that widens with each step you take.

Once you have overcome the first climb, you enter a gentler section, where the trail once again runs alongside a rus (a dry stone wall). This segment, also perfect for trekking or running in nature, accompanies the walk to Saint-Vincent, a town also known for outdoor activities, such as paragliding, which offers spectacular views from above the valley.

The route continues along the left bank of the Dora Baltea, heading towards the elegant Château de Saint-Germain, nestled among vineyards and woodland. Afterwards, a technically challenging and historically significant descent along the ancient Strada delle Gallie, which is still well preserved, provides an ideal section to test your pace and concentration, with the added allure of walking on stones steeped in centuries of history.

The final section alternates between scenic ascents and descents, offering views of the Alps and the valley, until it leads to the gem of Issogne, where a stop at the famous Renaissance castle is a must for those who want to combine sport with a dose of culture.

The towns of Saint-Vincent and Montjovet offer refreshment points, while the numerous fountains along the way ensure a constant supply of water. In winter, the slopes around Châtillon and Saint-Vincent are also ideal for ski mountaineering, for those who wish to explore the area in winter.

The fifth day of walking along the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley ends with a demanding but rewarding leg from Verrès to Pont-Saint-Martin, totalling 14.81 km. This stretch doesn’t pose any major technical challenges and delivers a deeply immersive experience, ideal for anyone seeking a perfect blend of outdoor activity and cultural heritage.

After an athletic start – ideal for hikers and trekkers, but also for those who enjoy running in natural surroundings – you reach Arnad, where it is well worth stopping to visit the Parish Church of San Martino, one of the most important religious landmarks on the Via Francigena in the Aosta Valley. A contemplative pause, before returning to move among paths, villages and ancient bridges.

Indeed, the route crosses two splendid stone bridges, at Echallod and Bard, which offer picturesque views and lead to the village dominated by the Forte di Bard: an ideal destination for a stopover and for those who enjoy combining walking with culture. The area is also a paradise for sports enthusiasts: it offers opportunities for climbing, rafting and even paragliding, allowing visitors to admire the valley from a unique vantage point.

However, the most thrilling moment comes upon entering Donnas, where you find yourself walking through history: a perfectly preserved section of the Roman road to Gaul, with its carriageway carved into the rock, leads to the stage’s evocative finale.

Our arrival in Pont-Saint-Martin, with its imposing Roman bridge, marks the end of our Aosta Valley route: a symbolic and spectacular moment that brings to a close an itinerary characterised by movement, beauty and a deep connection with the local area.

There are numerous refreshment points in Hône, Bard and Donnas, as well as plenty of fountains along the route where you can cool off. A short but intense stage, which closes this sporting adventure in the mountains of the Aosta Valley in great style.