Walking in the Aosta Valley : Walks and scrambles in the shadows of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa

Surrounded by the highest peaks in Western Europe — Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa — this autonomous region offers an extraordinary concentration of alpine scenery, from glaciated high passes and ancient Roman roads to the medieval monasteries of the Grand St Bernard and the medieval fortress of Forte di Bard. This Cicerone guidebook covers 32 routes from 4 to 20km (2 to 12 miles), taking between 1 and 6 hours to complete, with walks suited to both beginners and experienced mountain walkers. Routes are spread across six areas: the main valley, the Lys valley, Valtournenche, Valpelline, the Great St Bernard Pass and Courmayeur, ranging from short leisurely walks to challenging scrambles bordering on mountaineering. Every route comes with 1:50,000 mapping and downloadable GPX files, while via ferrata and trail-running summaries are included throughout for those seeking greater challenges. Route highlights include views of Mont Blanc from the Rifugio Bonatti, balcony routes above Cervinia with Matterhorn views, the Grand St Bernard Monastery which has welcomed travellers for over a thousand years, and the Roman road at Forte di Bard. The Courmayeur and Mont Blanc massif sections offer some of the finest alpine panoramas accessible to walkers in the Italian Alps. Practical information on accommodation, public transport, and wildlife is provided throughout, making this a versatile and essential guide to a region that rewards every walker who takes the time to explore it.