Best mountain peaks around Oyace, a village in Italy's Valpelline valley, serve as a gateway to the Pennine Alps and the broader Aosta Valley region. The area offers diverse mountaineering and hiking opportunities, from challenging ascents to panoramic viewpoints. This region is characterized by high-alpine scenery, lush meadows, and rugged mountain ridges. The Valpelline valley also features traditional Alpine charm with stone houses and cobbled streets.
Last updated: July 1, 2026
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Family-run by the Barailler family, Rifugio Crête Sèche, at 2,410 meters, welcomes hikers and mountaineers with zero-kilometer flavors of typical traditional cuisine and regenerating wellness services. For overnight stays at altitude, the structure has 58 beds divided into 8 cozy rooms and includes a winter room with 8 places for periods of closure.
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Very panoramic hill, reachable only with bike on your shoulder
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The Becca d'Aver, located at 2,469 meters, can be reached via a very easy climb over the Col d'Aver. The route to the Col de Fenêtre is more technically challenging, but definitely doable. Those who can should plan the easy ridge hike to Cima Longhede. This is not technically demanding.
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The Rifugio Oratorio di Cunéy, perched at 2,652 meters in the heart of the Saint-Barthélemy valley, stands next to the sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi, one of the highest in Europe. Built on the ruins of a chapel dating back to 1656, it now welcomes hikers with simple warmth, wooden rooms, and home-cooked food, becoming a refuge and place of pilgrimage. The path to reach it from Lignan or Porliod winds through larch forests, pastures, and alpine lakes, up to the panoramic Col du Salvé, a prelude to the Cunéy basin, where the surrounding peaks protect this wild and sacred corner. In a single dive, sacredness merges with the mountain warmth: here the silence is profound, interrupted only by the wind and prayers, and every night captures the essence of haute montagne and alpine simplicity. At the back, a winter shelter (open all year round) is available to hikers who, having reached this place, wish to stop for the night, although the refuge and chapel are closed during the winter and low season.
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near the refuge, the oratory is a witness to mountain civilization. Worth seeing are the ex-votos of the locals. Always open, the oratory reflects the great sacredness of the places and the mountains around.
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A large white cross symbolizes this peak. It is often joined to Becca d'Aver, connected by an easy ridge path. There is not much space at the summit, and on summer weekends it is crowded. Here, after a short break to admire the view, it is worth descending and having a lunch break on the plains below.
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This peak is usually reached from Champlong, and is connected to the Longhede peak by an easy ridge line, so they both touch. Usually the first to be reached is the Becca d'Aver
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About 3 hours to reach the refuge, where next to it is the Oratorio di Cuney sanctuary, the highest Marian sanctuary (dedicated to the Heavenly Mother) in Europe. There are several routes to reach it, the more adventurous can try the Passet path, exposed and equipped with chains, otherwise there is the alternative of the classic path
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The area around Oyace offers several remarkable peaks and passes. Among the most popular are Cuney Refuge and Oratory, which is the highest refuge of the Alte Vie of the Aosta Valley, and Cima Longhede summit and Bisaone Cross, known for its expansive panorama. Another excellent choice is Col de Champillon, offering breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso.
Yes, there are options for easier hikes. For instance, Becca d'Aver summit is accessible via a very easy climb over the Col d'Aver. The trail to Col de Champillon is also described as easy and non-technical in most sections, despite some steep parts, making it accessible for many.
For truly stunning panoramas, consider visiting Cima Longhede summit and Bisaone Cross, which provides exceptional views over much of the valley, including the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc. Col de Champillon also offers breathtaking vistas of Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin, and the Gran Paradiso massif. From Cuney Refuge and Oratory, you can admire Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, and Rutor.
Yes, the region has a network of mountain huts. Cuney Refuge and Oratory is a prominent example, serving as the highest refuge of the Alte Vie of the Aosta Valley. Another option is Rifugio Crête Sèche, which offers tasty food and great views over the Valpelline valley.
The mountains around Oyace blend natural beauty with cultural significance. Near Cuney Refuge and Oratory, you'll find the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi, which is the highest Mauritanian sanctuary in Europe. Additionally, the Bisaone Cross, a 10-meter high Christian symbol, stands proudly on Cima Longhede summit, offering a unique historical landmark amidst the alpine scenery.
Beyond hiking, the Oyace area provides diverse outdoor activities. You can explore various running trails, including moderate loops around Lake Lexert or more difficult routes like the Col de Brison loop. For cyclists, there are cycling routes ranging from easy rides along Lake Place Moulin to challenging loops like the Porta Pretoria (Aosta) – Arch of Augustus. Gravel biking is also popular, with routes like the Bike trail Becca d'Aver.
Yes, the Oyace area is part of the "Alta Via n. 1 of the Aosta Valley," a renowned long-distance trekking route. This offers an extended adventure for those looking to immerse themselves in the region's high-alpine scenery and connect with its network of mountain huts and refuges.
The mountains around Oyace are best enjoyed during the warmer months, typically from late spring to early autumn. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions for hiking, with trails generally clear of snow and mountain huts open. Always check local conditions before planning your trip, as high-alpine weather can be unpredictable.
The region boasts rich alpine scenery characterized by lush meadows, dense forests, and rugged mountain ridges. You'll encounter high-alpine landscapes, and from various viewpoints, you can witness glaciers and some of the highest peaks in the Alps. The Valpelline valley itself offers a charming backdrop with traditional stone houses and cobbled streets.
Visitors frequently praise the exceptional panoramic views, with many highlights offering vistas of iconic peaks like Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and Gran Paradiso. The diversity of trails, catering to various skill levels, is also highly appreciated. The presence of welcoming mountain huts, such as Rifugio Crête Sèche, and the blend of natural beauty with cultural sites like the Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Nevi, contribute to a memorable experience.
While many trails are accessible, the region also offers more demanding alpine ascents suitable for experienced mountaineers. For example, while the route to Col d'Aver is easy, the path to the Col de Fenêtre from Becca d'Aver summit presents a more technically challenging, yet doable, option. Some sections of the trail to Col de Champillon can also be steep.


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