Tsatelet Natural Reserve

A location of great archeological and scenic worth. Inhabited since the late Neolithic (3.000 B.C.), the Tsatelet Natural Reserve, or “BP Altitude” as it is called locally (from Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouts organisation) dominates the plain of Aosta from a hill; if you look towards the South and towards the Jocteau castle, where the valleys of the Buthier and Dora Baltea torrents converge, you can discern a tumulus which, by its form and dimensions, is likely to have been a tomb during the salassic period (iron age, 7th-5th c. B.C.) The area is of glacial origin; the glaciers in fact, until about ten thousand years ago, ran along the two valleys converging one with the other, where now lies the city of Aosta.
Its position on a hill has made it an excellent observation point for the flight of birds during their migrations, in particular Corvidae and a few raptors such as the Buzzard, the Goshawk, the Brown Kite and the Peregrine Falcon. Small mammals, reptiles and coloured butterflies such as the Apollo pass through the woody scrubs of White Oak and Scots Pine, and the grassy clearings of typically xeric vegetation, rich in species of steppe origin.

Activites

  • Hiking

    All itineraries are described in the TRAILS section.

Discover the site

The site’s low altitude and excellent exposure allows it to be open all year round, although spring and autumn are preferred seasons for their mild climate and splendid colours. The Reserve is best adapted to visits in small groups, which will be able to discover the area while walking along the marked trails, taking particular care of staying on the paths so as not to damage or disturb the flora and fauna.


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; 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;

please 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 site is well connected to the main road network. At the exit toll of Aosta Est, from the A5 autoroute, take the S.S. 26 state road and continue in direction of the chieftown. At the second roundabout, take the S.R. 17 regional road towards Porossan and then climb to the hamlet of Serod. Once you have passed Serod, continue towards Saint-Christophe, until you reach a small parking area at the Reserve’s entrance.

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.


Tsatelet Natural Reserve

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

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

Percorso Tzatelet

  • Elevation gain : 30-40 m
  • Travel time: 15-20 min
  • Signposting: -

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 Tsatelet Natural Reserve

SIC

Municipality: Aosta, Saint-Christophe

Surface: 14 ha

Altitude: 720 ÷ 796 m s.l.m.

Responsible forest station:
Aosta

Activities

In cammino verso Roma

In cammino verso Roma
La via Franchigena, un itinerario di grande fascino, dichiarato dal Consiglio d'Europa “Grande Itinerario Culturale Europeo”.

AOSTA "THE VENICE OF THE ALPS"

AOSTA

Piacevole pedalata in compagnia di una guida per raggiungere  i Ru Prévôt e Champapon.

Nordic Nature

Nordic Nature

Nordic Walking, the right way in the midst of living Nature.

Five rare gems

Five rare gems
Five days of hikes through the most significant and interesting protected areas in the region.

VIVA recommends the premises belonging to the network “Saveurs du Val d’Aoste

Saveurs du Val d'Aoste

Discover the surroundings