Bardoney, from Lillaz
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Access
At the motorway junction of Aosta West, turn right and take the regional road for the Cogne valley. Drive through the village of Aymavilles and, after 1.3 kilometres, take the second exit at the roundabout. Go up the regional road for 19 kilometres, passing the villages of Vieyes, Epinel and Crétaz, until you reach a roundabout: take the second exit, following the signs for Lillaz. Continue on the communal road for about one kilometre until you reach another roundabout; continue straight on for another 1.8 kilometres until you reach the large free car park 🅿️ in Lillaz.
[0h32'] - [24.0km]
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The directions provided have been carefully checked at the time of the route survey. However, it is highly recommended to check for any changes that may have occurred since then, especially regarding the route to the starting point. Before embarking on your journey, it is advisable to consult up-to-date navigation tools for accurate and up-to-date directions. We recommend the use of satellite navigation apps, such as Google Maps or Apple Maps, to ensure the most accurate and safe route.
Introduction
The hike to the Bardoney alpine pasture is an enchanting journey into the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, ideal for nature and mountain lovers. This itinerary offers the opportunity to explore an unspoilt valley, surrounded by majestic Alpine peaks and crossed by crystal-clear streams. The Alpine pasture of Bardoney, located at an altitude of 2,200 metres, is a perfect destination for those looking for a destination immersed in the tranquillity and beauty of Alpine pastures.
The route starts from the village of Lillaz, famous for its waterfalls, and follows the path up the Bardoney valley. Along the way, you pass through larch and spruce forests, flower-filled glades and steep grassy slopes, where you can spot the park's typical wildlife, such as ibexes and marmots. The panorama that opens up towards the head of the valley is of rare beauty, dominated by the imposing peaks that surround the valley.
The hike, which lasts about 3 hours, is suitable for hikers with a minimum of training, thanks to the moderate slope of the path and the well-distributed altitude difference. Once you reach the mountain pasture, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains and relax in the shade of the stone huts, evidence of the rural life in the high mountains that still survives in these remote places.
This itinerary, perfectly marked and accessible, allows you to immerse yourself completely in nature, discovering the secrets of the Vallone di Bardoney, a wild and unspoilt corner of the Valle d'Aosta.
Description
0h00' 0.00km Leave the car and proceed towards the shelter where the main paths in the area are indicated: follow itinerary that leads to the Rifugio Sogno di Berdzé al Peradzà. Take a small road that runs alongside the Urtier stream and, after a few minutes, reach the no-transit sign. At the fork, take the small road to the left and, shortly afterwards, meet the sign indicating the start of the path. Begin the ascent through the larch forest, leaving the last houses of the village behind. In a few minutes, gain height with a series of hairpin bends until reaching the crossroads for the Lillaz waterfalls .
0h12' 0.41km Continue straight ahead and soon reach a small road: turn left and then, after a few metres, right, following the signs for the climbing hall. Proceed along an open stretch, meet the fork for the climbing hall (to the right) and continue towards a rocky buttress. The path tends to the right, crosses the penstocks of the Lillaz CVA power station and reaches a votive shrine located above the waterfalls (1726m, 0h20').
There, the trail descends slightly to below some pastures, where it begins to climb again, crossing them to reach Goilles Desot (1,834m, 0h35').
After passing the hamlet, take a farm track that soon leads to a bridge crossing the Urthier stream. When you reach its orographic left-hand side, start to climb up through the forest. You will come to a small clearing where a farm track on the left-hand side is overlooked, and you will continue into the forest again. The ascent takes place on a comfortable mule track that climbs the ridge below the lake. After ascending a wide gully, the path flattens out slightly and then begins to climb again just before a couple of turns, supported by dry stone walls edged with wooden railings. Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra) now appears in the forest and, after crossing a small stream on a wooden footbridge, you proceed towards a gorge formed by the Urtier stream. Go round the gorge and soon reach the fork for the Bardoney gorge (2129m, 1h30').
Follow the signs for Col Bardoney and overlook the route for the Sogno di Berdzé hut, which branches off to the left. After an initial flat section, the path curves slightly to the right and begins to climb a small drop where the Bardoney stream forms a small waterfall. Continue along the lovely paved mule track until reaching the pastures below the Bardoney mountain pasture; cross a bucolic landscape until reaching a new fork (2215m, 1h45').
Punti di interesse
- Lillaz
- Cascate di Lillaz
- Palestra di roccia di Lillaz
- Goilles
- Bardoney
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