Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
Aosta Valley: A Hidden Gem for Nature Lovers and Culture Seekers
Are you looking for a unique vacation destination in Italy where nature and culture come together? Discover the Aosta Valley—a fascinating region in northwestern Italy. As the country’s smallest region, it offers the perfect blend of breathtaking mountain scenery, rich history, and authentic Italian charm.
You’ll find ruins from the Roman era and castles from the Middle Ages. Discover the beautiful natural scenery and get practical tips for your visit to the Aosta Valley. If you’d like to learn more about hiking trails in the Valle d’Aosta, read on here.
Why visit the Aosta Valley?
Delicious local cuisine and wines
Spectacular natural beauty, including Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Gran Paradiso
Stunning national parks and protected areas
Picturesque villages with centuries-old architecture
Rich culture and folklore
Delicious local cuisine and wines
Where is the Valle d’Aosta? The region is located in northwestern Italy and is surrounded by massive mountain ranges such as Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn (Cervino), and the imposing Gran Paradiso massif. It lies nestled between the French and Swiss mountains. Picturesque valleys and rivers crisscross the region, such as the Dora Baltea, which flows through the heart of the Valle d’Aosta. From the Netherlands, you can reach the Valle d’Aosta via Switzerland or France.
Natural Highlights
Impressive National Parks
This small region is home to some of Italy’s most impressive national parks and protected areas:
Mont Avic Natural Park
Gran Paradiso National Park
Aosta Valley Regional Park
These parks are essential for the conservation of the Valle d’Aosta’s unique flora and fauna. In addition, there are ten nature reserves, four Alpine botanical gardens, and part of the region is a Natura 2000 site.
The Gran Paradiso National Park borders Piedmont and ranges in elevation from 800 meters to 4,061 meters at the summit of Mount Gran Paradiso. Here, the Alpine ibex is protected from extinction, and chamois, marmots, golden eagles, and lynx are also found. The park has three visitor centers in Cogne, Valsavarenche, and Rhēmes-Notre-Dame.
Lago Blu, Lago d’Arpy, and Lago Lexert
Breathtaking lakes in the Aosta Valley
You’ll find the most beautiful lakes in the Aosta Valley—some of the most stunning:
Lago Blu: known for its unique blue color caused by a special type of algae. The lake is actually called Lago Layet and is the most popular with tourists among the lakes. It is located near Breuil-Cervina and is surrounded by centuries-old larch trees. It has beautifully clear water that reflects the Matterhorn. The final stretch to the lake must be covered on foot but is easily accessible.
Lago d’Arpy:a beautifulglacial lake with a view of Mont Blanc.
Lago Lexert: emerald-green water in Bionaz, Valpelline
At an elevation of 2,066 meters, near Morgex and La Thuile. There are wonderful hiking trails here for all skill levels. It’s a half-hour drive from Morgex, and you can reach the lake on foot in about an hour. There are no villages near the lake, but the view is breathtaking.
Birdwatching in the Aosta Valley
The Aosta Valley is a great area for birdwatchers. For example, near Gressoney-La-Trinité in the northeast, as well as in the Gran Paradiso National Park and in Valsavarenche. Birds spotted here include the bearded vulture, rock ptarmigan, alpine swift, black grouse, rock partridge, golden eagle, tawny owl, rock thrush, and the gray bunting. Butterflies also thrive in the flower-filled alpine meadows. Here you may encounter the Apollo butterfly, the mountain white, and the rare Aosta Esparcette blue.
Traditional Villages and Culture
The Aosta Valley is home to many picturesque villages. Historic castles and fortresses bear witness to a rich history. French and Italian are used interchangeably and are both recognized languages. Traditional Alpine architecture and lifestyle are still very much alive. Life moves at a leisurely pace, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. In addition to tourism, the region’s economy is primarily based on agriculture. You’ll find many local traditional festivals where folklore is kept alive. With its fresh mountain air and small villages, it’s an ideal destination for a peaceful vacation surrounded by nature.
The Most Beautiful Villages in the Aosta Valley
1. Aosta, the region’s capital
Aosta still has many Roman ruins, such as the Arco d’Augusta, a Roman theater—which hosts concerts in the summer—and Porta Pretoria, the city gate. The Roman Forum is open to the public for an admission fee. The famous Caffe Nazionale, a bar dating back to 1850 that was originally built as a church, is now not only a bar but also home to an excellent restaurant, Paolo Griffa.
2. Courmayeur
Courmayeur, also known as Italy’s best ski resort, is no less interesting outside the ski season—especially for walkers and hikers. Here you’ll find Italy’s highest-altitude botanical garden, the Giardino Botanico Alpino Saussurea. In December, Courmayeur hosts the “film noir festival.”
3. Châtillon
Once a Roman settlement that flourished during the Middle Ages. You can still find medieval houses and castles in the village.
4. Chamois, the Pearl of the Alps
One of the most beautiful spots in the Aosta Valley—and Italy’s first car-free municipality.
5. Valpelline
In addition to this list of “cities,” there’s also a special mention for Valpelline. With its approximately 600 residents, this mountain valley is one of the most beautiful valleys, home to chamois and ibex, and offering stunning views of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, and Gran Paradiso.
The most beautiful waterfall in the Aosta Valley
Lillaz Waterfall
The waterfall is located in Cogne. It’s easily accessible on foot within the Gran Paradiso National Park. There are many beautiful hiking trails around the waterfall, accessible at various elevations. It can get a bit crowded with tourists in the summer, and in late summer, the water flow depends on the weather.
Unique Mountains in the Aosta Valley
The Matterhorn (Cervino) towers high above the region and is an iconic peak that you have to see to believe. The Gran Paradiso Glacier, with its unique ice formations, is also fascinatingly beautiful. In the past, climbing it was relatively easy, but due to the melting of the ice, it has become much more technical. The Monte Rosa massif is a group of mountains with multiple peaks.
Old Mines in the Aosta Valley
Beneath the surface, the area is rich in minerals that have been used for centuries. Iron, copper, gold, coal, and many other raw materials have contributed to the region’s prosperity. You can still visit a number of mines, such as the one in Cogne. To do so, please contact the guides in the Aosta Valley.
Culture and Folklore in the Aosta Valley
Local traditions: The Bataille des Reines literally means “the battle of the cows,” in which the hierarchy within the herd is determined. These battles are regulated and held as a tournament. Almost every Sunday, there’s a battle between the ladies somewhere. The highlight takes place in the fall in Aosta in a special arena. You can find the annual schedule here.
Culinary tradition: The “coppa dell’amicizia” is a centuries-old tradition in the Aosta Valley, in which you share a “caffè al Valdostana” with friends—coffee served in a communal wooden cup with a generous splash of grappa and sugar.
Unique Places to Stay in the Aosta Valley
Hotellerie de Mascognaz, featuring beautiful chalets, local cuisine, and a wellness center overlooking Monte Rosa
Spend the night in a fortress. Hotel Cavour in Forte di Bard. A beautiful old fortress with museums and a hotel offering rooms and apartments, located in the village of Bard.
Eco Wellness Hotel Notre Maison in Cogne.
Locanda4: 3-star B&B in Valtournenche.
Hotel QC Terme Montebianco is a 4-star hotel with a wellness center located on the slopes of Mont Blanc and near Courmayeur.
Au charmant Petit Lac is a 5-star hotel in Champoluc that focuses on nature and sustainability
Sustainable Tourism
The region is strongly committed to nature conservation and encourages visitors to contribute to sustainable tourism through the VIVA program, “Valle d’Aosta unica per natura.” The Valle d’Aosta is home to a wide variety of vegetation, ranging from alpine meadows to forests with rare plant species. The region works to ensure that its natural heritage of plants and wildlife is preserved. With the help of European funding, researchers ensure that nature is respected and preserved.
Travel Tips and Practical Information
Best Time to Visit Valle d’Aosta
The best time for hiking or biking is from June through September. Due to the significant differences in elevation, there are also large variations in temperature. Still, fall is a beautiful time of year and often underrated. The forests and meadows take on beautiful hues.
Nature and bird photography enthusiasts will be in their element in the Aosta Valley. The incredibly diverse landscape offers countless opportunities, from glaciers to birds, wildlife, forests, and the flowers and butterflies of the alpine meadows.
Accessibility in Valle d’Aosta
By Train
There are 6 trains a day from Amsterdam to Aosta. The fastest route takes 12 hours and 30 minutes. You’ll have to change trains 5 times. Ticket prices depend on when you book—the earlier you book, the cheaper it is—with tickets starting at around €260. To book tickets, visit NSInternational.nl
By car to Aosta
The distance by car from the Netherlands is about 1,000 kilometers, and the best route is through France or Switzerland.
By plane
You can fly to Turin, and from there it’s about a 2-hour train ride to Aosta.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
Hiking across smoking volcanoes: an organized hiking tour of the Aeolian Islands On Vulcano, you know you’ve arrived before you even set foot on shore. The sulfur already hangs over the harbor. A smell that hovers somewhere between a match and a boiled egg—and one you...
Sleeping in nature in Sardinia: handpicked accommodations, booked directly with the owner A unique place to stay in Sardinia. No nameplate on the door, no reception desk. Instead, an owner who pours you a glass of local wine upon arrival and tells you which trail is...
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
45
Get inspired
Are you looking for the most beautiful hiking and biking routes? Or do you want information about traveling by train or advice for the most beautiful road trips through nature. Get inspired for your next trip in green; ideas for planning your own trip or opting for an organized trip.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Voorkeuren
De technische opslag of toegang is noodzakelijk voor het legitieme doel voorkeuren op te slaan die niet door de abonnee of gebruiker zijn aangevraagd.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.De technische opslag of toegang die uitsluitend wordt gebruikt voor anonieme statistische doeleinden. Zonder dagvaarding, vrijwillige naleving door je Internet Dienst Provider, of aanvullende gegevens van een derde partij, kan informatie die alleen voor dit doel wordt opgeslagen of opgehaald gewoonlijk niet worden gebruikt om je te identificeren.
Marketing
De technische opslag of toegang is nodig om gebruikersprofielen op te stellen voor het verzenden van reclame, of om de gebruiker op een site of over verschillende sites te volgen voor soortgelijke marketingdoeleinden.
