The best gravel rides around Champorcher

View of the Dondena hut

The stone bridge of Lillianes, completed in 1733, represents a hydraulic work of exceptional value for the Lys Valley, being the only historic bridge in the region structured on four round arches. The choice of this configuration, supported by robust piers equipped with cut-water spurs, was dictated by the need to span a section of the Lys stream particularly subject to violent floods. The roadway, made with a characteristic donkey-back shape in local stone, hosts a votive shrine dedicated to Saint Roch in the center, historically placed to protect travelers against pestilences. A relevant anecdote concerns the complex financing of the work: the local community, in order not to depend exclusively on central subsidies, chose to heavily tax themselves through the "taglioni" system, a form of mandatory contribution based on land ownership. It is said that the families of the village contributed not only with money but also by providing labor and materials, as the bridge was considered vital for the economy linked to the chestnut trade and transhumance. Another curious detail concerns its incredible resistance: during past floods, while other wooden or lighter structures were swept away, the bridge of Lillianes remained intact, consolidating its fame as an indestructible monument and a symbol of unity for the entire valley population.

In this stretch, the Via Francigena follows the ancient Roman route of the Via delle Gallie, where the paving retains the ruts of millennia-old carts. Connecting Augusta Prætoria to the Alpine passes, this strategic road shaped the landscape with rest stops and villages, some of whose names still indicate the distance in miles from the city. Traveling it today means experiencing a direct connection between the spiritual journey of medieval pilgrims and the engineering of the Romans.

Saint-Germain Castle (or Montjovet Castle), of uncertain origins, marked the history of the Aosta Valley, passing from the Savoy to the Challant family, before finally returning to the Savoy in 1438. Used as a military garrison by Amadeus VIII, it was abandoned in 1661 when the garrison was transferred to the Bard Fort. Completing the site is the Church of Saint-Germain: a small Romanesque building that, through frescoes and architectural details, preserves the spiritual memory of the local community.

The hamlet of Le Bourg can be easily reached by bicycle, passing under the highway overpass. The village is worth a visit for its characteristic keeled-arch windows, frescoes, and ancient signs that tell the story of the town. Also not to be missed is the church of San Rocco, perched on a rocky outcrop and offering a panoramic view of the valley.

The Arlaz Waterfall can be reached either from the Col d'Arlaz or from the Orbeillaz car park, following path number 31 which runs alongside the Rû d’Arlaz, a 14th-century artificial canal that channels the water of the Evançon stream and carries it to the municipalities of Challand, Emarese and Montjovet.

From this point, you can enjoy a splendid view of Verrès Castle, an imposing 14th-century medieval fortress that dominates the valley and adds a fascinating historical touch to the surrounding landscape. Built by the Challant family for defensive and residential purposes, it is today one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the region.

The Champrocher Royal Road is a charming historical route commissioned in the 18th century by the House of Savoy. It connected the valley floor with the hunting lodges, facilitating the travel of the nobility and their entourage. Today, it is a beautiful path immersed in greenery, with stone sections and splendid panoramic views of the valley.