At a glance

🏔️

1,568 m

Champoluc, in a basin ringed by glaciers
Source: Lovevda (in Italian)

🎿

100+ km

of slopes with the Monterosa Ski lifts
Source: Lovevda (in Italian)

🏘️

Since 2008

Antagnod among Italy’s most beautiful villages
Source: Visit Brusson

🥾

2,066 m

Resy, a Walser village
Source: Visit Ayas

Detailed itinerary

3-day itinerary in the Val d’Ayas, step by step

The route climbs the valley from Brusson towards Antagnod and Champoluc, the same stops that Italy’s national tourism portal lists in its trail of castles and mountains. Source: Italia.it

Day 1

Brusson and Graines Castle

The ruins of Graines Castle stand on a rocky spur at the entrance to the Freudière valley and control the whole Ayas Valley and the access to the upper Gressoney Valley. The castle is believed to date from around the 11th century and certainly existed before 1263. A tower on a sloping base, a rainwater cistern, a chapel and the remains of living quarters survive. Entry is free and the castle is reached on foot along a path from the municipal road. Source: Municipality of Brusson (in Italian)

Guided visits last about one hour and are offered in Italian, French, English and German. The castle is not wheelchair accessible. Source: Aosta Valley Tour Guide

In summer, Brusson offers high mountain trails that lead to the scenic Palasinaz lakes, and in winter its ski lifts. Source: Italia.it

Day 2

Antagnod

Antagnod, a village in the municipality of Ayas, has been recognised since 2008 as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with wooden huts under steep roofs and winding lanes. Don’t miss Maison Merlet with its permanent exhibition of local crafts, the church of St Martin of Tours (rebuilt in 1839, with a carved wooden baroque altar consecrated in 1716), Villa Rivetti from 1924, now the town hall and once the summer residence of President Giuseppe Saragat, and the Museum of Sacred Art in the cemetery chapel. Source: Visit Brusson

Day 3

Champoluc and the Walser village of Resy

Champoluc, at 1,568 metres in a basin surrounded by glaciers, is the best-known resort of the valley: the Monterosa Ski lifts offer over 100 km of slopes, and it is a starting point for climbs on the Monte Rosa massif. The villages of Frachey, Saint-Jacques, Crest and Mascognaz preserve rascards, wooden buildings raised on stone supports. Source: Lovevda (in Italian)

Above Saint-Jacques, at 2,066 metres, Resy is made up of rascards in the Walser tradition, ancient buildings that served as a stopover on the routes linking the Gressoney, Ayas and Valtournenche valleys. It can be reached on foot in summer or on snowshoes in winter, and is always open and free to visit. Source: Visit Ayas

Plan

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Editorial transparency

Who wrote this article? On what basis?

📋 Transparency and Verifiability

Who wrote it: Giuseppe Baldassarri — ItalyTrade.org.
Evidence it relies on: Verified sources, linked in the text.
Are there other points of view: Yes, indicated where relevant.
Possible hidden interest: None. Independent editorial content.

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