The best gravel rides around Charvensod

The crystal clear and very cool mountain water is channelled downhill for irrigation. An refreshing cool-down is ensured at any time.

The Tour du Mont Fallère is a charming circular hiking route that covers about 35 kilometers in the heart of the Aosta Valley, winding around the mountain of the same name amidst panoramic peaks, forests, and alpine pastures. Designed to be completed in two or three stages on foot or by mountain bike, the trail passes through several high-altitude structures in the area, including the historic Rifugio Chaligne and the Rifugio Mont Fallère.

Carved out of the eco-sustainable renovation of a typical stone and wood hut at an altitude of 1,943 meters, Rifugio Chaligne in Gignod offers 32 beds and a cuisine based on dairy products from local pastures. Reachable on foot in just over an hour from Buthier or by mountain bike along the rural road, the structure is part of the famous Tour du Mont Fallère hiking circuit.

Arpuilles is a hamlet in the municipality of Aosta, nestled on the hill north of the city at an altitude of about 1000 meters. The village, along with nearby Signayes, is part of that system of mid-mountain settlements that the Salassi—the Celtic population who inhabited the valley before the Roman conquest—seemed to prefer to the valley floors, and which over the centuries has maintained a rural character distinct from that of the underlying capital. So strong was this sense of identity that in the past the inhabitants of Arpuilles and Signayes even attempted to separate from the municipality of Aosta to form an autonomous municipality. The inhabited core consists of stone and wood houses arranged along the road that climbs from the plain, surrounded by meadows, pastures, and deciduous woods. From Arpuilles, one enjoys an open view of the Aosta basin and the surrounding mountains: Monte Emilius, Becca di Nona, and, in the distance, the peaks of Gran Paradiso. Its sunny position, sheltered from the north winds, has historically made it an area for spring and autumn grazing. Here passes the terminal section of the Ru Neuf, the ancient irrigation canal from 1327 that brought water from Étroubles to the hill of Aosta.

The vineyards of Aymavilles (Aosta Valley) grow on Alpine terraces, where viticulture is considered heroic due to the manual labor required. Native grape varieties such as Petit Rouge, Fumin, and Petite Arvine, as well as international varieties, are cultivated here. This produces local DOC wines such as Torrette and Fumin, appreciated for their quality and distinctive character. The wineries offer tastings and tours, combining wine culture with breathtaking Alpine views.

At this point, there's a covered rest area ideal for those pedaling these trails, complete with an e-bike charging station and a tire pump. From the rest area, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the valley floor, perfect for a relaxing break during your hike or bike ride.

you eat very well

Seen only from the outside, very very beautiful!