Mont Lyan, from the car park on SR10

Access

From the motorway junction exit at Châtillon, turn left along Via E. Chanoux for about one hundred metres, then turn left again onto Regional Road for Pontey. Follow the road downhill, pass two roundabouts and the railway station, then go under the railway, ignoring the crossroads for Ussel. Cross the Dora Baltea and turn right in the direction of Pontey: a few metres further on, on the right, is a clearing where you can park your car.

[0h04'] - [1.9km]
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The directions provided have been carefully checked as of the date the route was taken. 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.

Description

0h00' 0.00km Cross the regional road to reach the start of the path: after a few metres, at a marker, you will come to a fork in the path.

0h01' 0.01km Ignore the path for Gimiod and, following the signs for Bellecombe, continue straight on along the wide mule track, which climbs moderately. The beautiful mule track with stone paving narrows near a small bridge, just before a small wall topped by a grating, which protects the Saint-Clair hydroelectric outlet below. The trees thin out slightly, leaving room for some interesting views of Châtillon and the Dora Baltea below. A couple of sharp turns gain altitude and direct the route towards the Torrent de Pessey impluvium and the resulting lush vegetation, eventually leading to a dirt road.

0h24' 0.77km Turn left and cross the bridge over the Torrent de Pessey. After passing a votive shrine (592m), you come to a new crossroads.

0h25' 0.83km Turn right and take the path that immediately enters the dense forest, passing above the houses of Taxard. The slope increases, passing an initial strip of woodland, predominantly of downy oaks (Quercus pubescens), which then opens up with wide panoramic views of Ussel below, Saint-Vincent and the imposing mass of Mont Zerbion. After a few twists and turns, the path proceeds almost level until it reaches a small cement bridge that allows you to cross the Torrent Moriolaz. Afterwards, it begins to climb again with moderate intensity through the wooded slope, along a series of hairpin bends that quickly lead to the first crossroads with the communal road (855m). Follow the road to the right for a few hundred metres, taking a hairpin bend to the left, until you come to a shy yellow marker on the right that invites you to resume the path. The forest changes appearance and the chestnut tree (Castanea sativa) becomes predominant. The path climbs without too many twists and turns until it reaches the communal road again (897m), which is only travelled for a few metres, as immediately to the right another marker indicates that the path should be resumed. The path climbs further into the forest, where the foliage often almost completely covers the path. With a few turns, you again reach the municipal road (948m) and, after a last stretch of path, finally arrive at the road near Bellecombe. Turn left and follow the road until you reach the hamlets of Perry (1002m) - fountain 💧 on the right, near the Trattoria dei Cacciatori - and, after a wide bend to the right, you arrive at the village of Bellecombe, in front of the pretty chapel dedicated to St Anne (1011m).

1h30' 2.81km Near the chapel there is a signpost with indications of the paths that can be followed in the area. Take the dirt track that turns immediately right, bypassing the village, and enters the pleasant chestnut and birch (Betula pendula) forest. After a few bends, you reach a fork in the path.

1h50' 3.39km Ignore the path to the right to Valmeriana and continue along the dirt track until you come to a metal barrier preventing vehicular traffic. Go around it to the left and continue on the dirt track, which climbs the wooded slope in a series of twists and turns. A few pleasant glimpses of the Valtournenche peaks accompany the walk, itself somewhat monotonous in this section. After passing a steeper section, the road flattens out before reaching Mont Ros dessous (1415m).
2h50' 5.26km To the left of the cottages is a signpost with directions to Mont Barbeston: join the path as it begins to climb up the wood on a diagonal slope to the right. After an initial moderately steep section, you come to a small stream, which can be forded without any problems, and a gate (1485, 1h10'). Once past the gate, a small spring is found (useful for possible water supplies) and the ascent begins again with greater intensity in the now completely coniferous forest. After a turn to the left, we come to the ruins of Biolasse (1600m, 1h30') and reach a short plateau crossed by a small stream. The trail tends to the right as it begins to climb again in the vicinity of Toule (1841m, 2h00').
Having left the path for Salé, which branches off to the right, we walk past a peculiar circular basin, used in the past to collect spring water, and begin the steep ascent towards Col Goddet. The path rises considerably and ascends the steep slope between juniper and bilberry trees in a fairly sparse larch forest. Having passed the steepest section, the trail veers to the right as the view opens up to the final destination. At the end of the diagonal to the right, turn left to reach Col Goddet (2,210m, 2h35') and the junction with the path (8B) coming from Hérin.

The descent follows the same route as on the way up 2.81km . It takes 0h40' to Taxard and 0h55'  to the starting point.

Points of interest

• St. Anne's Chapel in Bellecombe
• Bellecombe
• Mont Ros dessous
• Col Goddet
• Mont Lyan

Collections

• hikes starting from the car park on SR10 - on the map
• hiking in Châtillon - on the map
• hikes to the peaks of Châtillon - on the map
• hikes to the 2000s in the middle Aosta Valley - on the map
• hiking in the 2000s in the Aosta Valley - on the map