High-altitude environments
of the Vallée de l'Alleigne

The vast, solitary and wild valley of Champorcher, with typically alpine and subalpine environments, come to life in summer thanks to the pastoral and agricultural activities of time past. This site is rich in varieties of flora and fauna and is included in the vast Special Protection Zone (ZPS) of “Mont Avic e Mont Emilius”.
Thanks to its singular climate, its high-altitude development, its complex and diversified rock formation and its vegetation, the Valley of Legna is of a high level of biodiversity. Forests abound with Scots Pine, Larch and Arolla Pine; in summer, the colours of the many floral species cover the Valley with Cryptogramma crispa, Arenaria biflora, Minuartia rupestris, , Cerastium cerastioides, Sagina saginoides, Silene acaulis, Ranunculus pyrenaeus, Saxifraga purpurea, Geum montanum, Viola calcarata, Gentiana kochiana, Valeriana celtica, Campanula excisa end Achillea erba-rotta.
There are frequent encounters with chamois, stein-bocks, alpine hares and marmots, and the majestic Golden Eagle is often sighted flying over the valley.

Activities

  • Hiking

    All itineraries are described in the TRAILS section.

  • Snowshoe trekking

    A beautiful snowshoe-trekking trail, a little over 2.5 km in length, can be taken from the trail which connects the fraction of Outre-l’Éve (1.230 m) to the bridge of Sant’Antonio (1.820 m). It is recommended to consult regional weather and snow forecasts before undertaking the excursion.

Discover the site

From late spring to the end of summer, flower blossoming is in full bloom and the landscape is at its maximum splendour. The site’s vastness makes it ideal for all types of hikers, from the most expert ones, to school groups and families. For the latter, we recommend the plain of Sant’Antonio as a possible destination, a suggestive place located at the bottom of the valley, along the banks of the Legna Torrent, in the heart of its homonymous valley. Everyone is asked to be careful and respectful of the environment which welcomes all visitors.


Behavioural conduct rules

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

visit the site on foot, with skis or snowshoes; 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; in winter, please follow the recommended trails so as not to disturb animals which are fighting against hunger and cold;

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 back to the villages, where you will find many recyclable waste-collection points;

camping is permitted only for nightly bivouacs at an altitude of over 2500 meters; take care not to wash your dishware in springs or stagnant ponds of water; campers and trailers must be parked outside of the park, in specific authorized areas.

How to get there

By car

As you exit the autoroute at Pont-Saint-Martin, turn left following directions towards Aosta. Pass the municipalities of Donnas and Bard until you reach a roundabout, where you turn left towards the valley of Champorcher. Once you have passed the municipalities of Hône and Pontboset, continue along the valley for approximately 10 km up to the fraction of Mellier, where you will find a parking area, ideal also for large buses. From the Mellier parking area, you can begin your walk towards the site of interest. Another way to approach the site even closer is to drive until the fraction of Outre-l'Ève, turning left on the regional road at the height of directions for Verannaz - Outre-l'Ève.

By train

The closest train station is located in Pont-Saint-Martin.

By bus

From the Pont-Saint-Martin train station, a city busline brings you to the municipality of Hône (14 daily trips), and from here, a busline service (with approximately 6 daily trips) reaches the chieftown of Champorcher.

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.


High-altitude environments of the Valley of Legna

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

Average path

Lac de Chilet

  • Elevation gain : 1.233 m
  • Travel time: 3 h
  • Signposting: 3C, 4, 4F, 4E, AV2

What to see:

Period:

Average path

Lac de Vercoche

  • Elevation gain : 1.000 m
  • Travel time: 2h45
  • Signposting: 3C, 4, 4F, 5, AV2

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 High-altitude environments <br /> of the Vallée de l'Alleigne

SIC SIC IT1205100

Municipality: Champorcher

Surface: 1.102 ha

Altitude: 1.230 ÷ 2.756 m s.l.m.

Responsible forest station:
Pont-Saint-Martin

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

Saveurs du Val d'Aoste