The Loson Pond Natural Reserve

A quiet corner at an altitude of a little over 1500m. The pond of Loson, located in the municipality of Verrayes, is an ancient lake of glacial origin, set in a xeric climatic zone, one of the few examples in the Valle d’Aosta. The lake’s open waters are immersed in a thick bed of reeds and surrounded by vast pastures and strips of forests. The important environmental variableness has permitted the development of plankton organisms as well as hygrophilous and hydrophilous species, some of which are very rare in the Region such as the Polygonum amphibium, the Potamogeton natans, the Utricularia australis, and the U. minor or the insectivore Dosera. Tranquility and beauty of the horizon are what define this outing: mild, vast and green.

Activites

  • Hiking

    All itineraries are described in the TRAILS section.

Discover the site

In order to fully appreciate this protected area, it is recommended to visit it from late spring until autumn. In June and July especially, you can admire the very colourful blossoming of the surrounding pastures. The area is equipped with an observation turret and illustrative panels. A guided tour is recommended in order to fully appreciate the naturalistic characteristics of the area. In order to respect the modest dimensions of the site, it is also requested to limit the number of visitors at a time.


Behavioural conduct rules

We remind you that you can contribute to the preservation of these sites by following these simple rules:

visit the natural reserve on foot, avoid using motorized vehicles, boating equipment, hang-gliders, para-gliders or similar; mountain bikes and horseback riding are permitted only in specific authorized areas (external to the site): please respect hikers;

please stay within the marked trails, as trampling can ruin the fragile grass and undergrowth areas;

osserva da lontano gli animali selvaticiplease observe wild animals from a distance, do not capture them, do not disturb them nor feed them, and do not photograph occupied nests;

keep your dog on a leash and on the marked trails;

do not pick minerals or flowers;

do not make fires;

please bring your garbage, where you will find many recyclable waste-collection points.

How to get there

By car

The first and only road sign along the regional road, which from Chambave goes to the Saint Pantaléon Pass, can be found at the junction of the hamlet of Loson, at less than 1 km from the Reserve. Once you have reached the entrance, it is possible to leave your car in a parking lot of about 10 ample parking spots (usable also for small buses). Here you will find an information panel of the Reserve.

Accessibility codification of sites

VIVA has chosen to supply everyone – youngsters, adults, the elderly and the disabled – with all the sites’ information so as to allow the visitor to choose a destination in an autonomous way.
An “Accessibility Codification”has thus been defined.


The Loson Pond Natural Reserve

Information to reach the site 2
Accessibility from main roads 2
Parking for the disabled 2
Accessible restrooms 0
Information panels 3
Slopes (max 8%) 1
Trail width (min 90cm) 1
Road surface 1
Resting areas approx every 10 m 1
Safety and protection of trails 1
Periodic maintenance 1

GENERAL INDICATIONS – ASSESSMENT VALUES (0 ÷ 3):
0 corresponds to ABSENCE of the indicated parameter;
3 corresponds to the PRESENCE of the indicated parameter, in optimal condition;
1 – 2 are INTERMEDIATE VALUES: in general, they indicate the presence of the parameter which must however be improved (1 = sufficient, 2 = close to optimal)

Paths

More paths :

VIVA suggests:

Short path

Stagno di Loson

  • Elevation gain : 67 m circa
  • Travel time: 30 min
  • Signposting: 1

What to see:

Period:

Easy trails: routes that present no major technical difficulties or too challenging slopes. They can be covered in full or in small sections, allowing in both cases to come into contact with unspoilt nature, discovering its pace and balance …

Medium difficult trails: routes that can be covered in a day, varying considerably in terms of height differences and technical difficulty; the benefit is in being able to reach wildlife destinations of great impact.

Long trails: excursions lasting several days which provide for stopover places and catering along the route.

cartina The Loson Pond Natural Reserve

SIC SIC IT1203040

Municipality: Verrayes

Surface: 4,50 ha

Altitude: 1.514 ÷ 1.520 m s.l.m.

Responsible forest station:
Châtillon

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