Rifugio Magià, from the Porliod car park

Access

Leave the motorway junction at Nus and turn left onto the main road. After 850 metres, turn right at the traffic lights, following the signs for the of Saint-Barthélemy and, just before the historic centre of Nus, turn left. Drive up the regional road, passing the villages of Petit-Fénis and Blavy. After 14 km, you will come to a fork in the road at a bend: turn left and continue towards Lignan. Pass the village of Issologne and reach Lignan after 17 km. At the village square, turn left to ascend the last stretch of road. Pass through the villages of Saquignod, Vénoz and Crét before reaching a large free car park 🅿️, located in front of the "Porliod" picnic area.

Distance and journey time

🕒Travel time: 33 minutes
📏 Distance: 21.50 km

GPS navigation

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Important note

The directions provided were verified on the date of the route survey. Before departure, it is advisable to check for any changes to the route. For up-to-date and detailed directions, we recommend the use of Google Maps or Apple Maps.

Introduction

Fresh mountain air, the scent of larch trees and the subdued sound of flowing water: the Vallone di Saint-Barthélemy welcomes the hiker in an embrace of unspoilt nature. The path leading to the Magià Refuge starts from the Porliod car park, in the commune of Nus, and winds its way through forests and wide high-altitude meadows, offering an Alpine scenery of rare beauty. This itinerary, which is completely on a dirt road, is suitable for everyone, including beginners and families, thanks to its easy walkability. The route, which is about 7 km long with an altitude difference of 200 metres, lends itself to a pleasant walk that, step by step, reveals ever-widening views of the surrounding peaks. The Rifugio Magià, located at an altitude of 2007 metres, is more than just a destination: it is a cosy refuge where you can enjoy typical Valle d'Aosta cuisine and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the mountains. The excursion is a perfect opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of walking, accompanied by the silence and beauty of the Vallone di Saint-Barthélemy.

⚠ Note: Please remember that dogs are not allowed inside the refuge. For those wishing to stop for lunch or dinner, reservations are recommended on 0165 1756447.

Good hiking! 🌿🏔

Description

0h00' 0.00km From the car park, descend along the path until reaching the village of Porliod (1,882m). After a short climb, you reach the chapel dedicated to Saint-Pantaléon, near which the tarmac road ends. Continue on a moderate ascent along the dirt track, which enters a small forest of larch trees (Larix decidua). Cross the Torrent de Chavalary impluvium and, once past the stream, reach the Larset Dèsot mountain pasture (1,893m). A little further on, you will come to a marker post and the turnoff for Praz .

0h20' 1.54km Continue on the dirt track following the undulating profile of the slope and continue with a slight ascent, leading to the group of hamlets of Nouva (1,955m). From here, the little road flattens out before descending gently to the picturesque clearing of Champcombre (1,932m), where there is a mountain pasture and a few huts.

0h30' 3.05km At the fork, keep left and continue along the dirt track, now flat, which describes a wide curve to the right, entering the upper part of the Vallon de Saint-Barthélemy. The path enters a charming fir forest and, having passed the Vallorsière pastures (located below the road), reaches the Champlaisant cliff. A little further on, on the right, a small road branches off that leads to the mountain pastures of the same name (1,900m).

1h20' 5.08km Keep to the main road, ignoring the small road that descends towards Champlaisant, as the picturesque pastures begin to come into view. After a few minutes, you reach a characteristic aqueduct. Cross the Torrent de Saint-Barthélemy over a small concrete bridge near the pastures of Les Vayoux. From here, move to the orographic left of the valley and, in a few minutes, reach the Magià refuge (2,007m) 1h50' 7.10km . 

The return is along the same route as the outward journey, retracing the farm road until reaching Champcombre, Porliod and the car park, the starting point of the itinerary (1,890m) 1h35' 7.10km .

Points of Interest

• Porliod Picnic Area
• Saint-Pantaleon Chapel in Porliod
• Champcombre
• Magia Refuge

Collections

• hikes starting from the Porliod car-park - on the map
• hiking Nus - on the map
• hiking in the Saint-Barthélemy Valley - on the map
• excursions to refuges in the Aosta Valley - on the map