Along the banks of the Dora, amongst vineyards, castles and scenic footpaths

Along the Dora Baltea valley, between Aymavilles and Saint-Nicolas, autumn unfolds across two distinct landscapes: the vineyards surrounding the villages in the valley floor and the woods covering the higher slopes, offering views of the Gran Paradiso massif and the Grivola. In Aymavilles, the landmark is the castle, recognisable by its four circular towers and its appearance, which blends its medieval origins with the Baroque alterations carried out in the 18th century. Today it is open to visitors as a museum, housing collections and artefacts relating to local history. Not far away, the Roman aqueduct bridge at Pont d’Aël, built in 3 BC over the Grand Eyvia stream, is an engineering feat that is still passable and open to visitors. For those wishing to combine culture with a walk, the Aymavilles–Pont d’Aël circular route is approximately 7 kilometres long, with a 370-metre elevation gain and takes around three hours to complete. The agricultural character of this area is

You can also discover this in the wine cellars by tasting local wines, including those from the Cave des Onze Communes. Towards Saint-Nicolas, on the other hand, the woodland takes centre stage: the Bois de la Tour offers a circular educational trail amongst larch, spruce and birch trees, with a section specially adapted for visually impaired and blind people. From here, you can reach the La Cure viewpoint, overlooking the central valley and the surrounding mountains.

Another option is to set off from the village of Vens and head for Lake Joux along a circular route that winds through woods and meadows for around 4.6 kilometres. For those travelling with children, on Sunday 25 October, Aymavilles Castle is organising a family-friendly activity (booking required) entitled ‘On a journey with Chaty, the castle’s little cat’.

https://valledaostaheritage.com/chateau-daymavilles

https://www.lovevda.it/it/scoprire/aree-turistiche/gran-paradiso