From Val Ferret to Val Veny, golden woodlands at the foot of Mont Blanc

As we await the first snowfalls down in the valley, autumn transforms the landscape of Courmayeur without detracting from the prominence of its mountains. The already snow-capped peaks provide a backdrop to the larch trees as they turn shades of yellow and gold, whilst the side valleys offer varied and evocative views of the Mont Blanc massif: amongst mountain pastures, scenic trails and glacial lakes. In Val Ferret, one of the best-known routes is the Balconata, which climbs from Courmayeur towards the Bertone Mountain Hut and continues at higher altitude to the Bonatti Mountain Hut, at 2,025 metres. The full route of this hike, which requires careful planning (31 October is indicated as the end of the recommended period), is approximately 20 kilometres long, with a 1,370-metre elevation gain and an estimated duration of eight hours. Val Veny offers a different setting, nestled between the Miage Glacier, Lake Combal, the Peuterey Wood and the sanctuary of Notre-Dame de la Guérison, a place of worship linked to popular devotion. To discover Courmayeur beyond its panoramic views – particularly when mountain conditions make hiking inadvisable – you can follow the ‘Tor Culture’ signs, a dedicated guide that takes you on a journey through the architecture and lesser-known aspects of local history. The autumn programme also features events both up in the mountains and in the village, such as ‘Autunno in musica’ at the Pavillon station of Skyway Monte Bianco (Saturday 24 October) and the Autumn Chestnut Festival with its market selling local farm produce, scheduled to take place in the historic centre on 1 November.

https://www.courmayeurmontblanc.it/