An evocative MTB ride through the nature and traditions of Valtournenche, in Val d’Aosta, to get up close and personal with the peculiarities of the municipality of Torgnon, nestled with its 22 hamlets on a beautiful sun-kissed moraine terrace.
A fascinating loop tour, set in a lush and wild alpine setting, which tells centuries-old stories of men and women devoted to mountain pasture life, cheese making and herding.

Itinerary featured in the Guidebook Viatoribus: “Italia in Bici con Gusto”

Itinerary description:
The 32-km bike tour starts and returns to Mongnod, a hamlet in the municipality of Torgnon, developing mostly on dirt roads.
From Mongnod it is a short drive to Plan Prorion, continuing on to Chantorné, which is home to ski lifts and the Summer Park. This is where the dirt road begins, passing first near the Alpe Chȃtelard hutsand then atAlpe di Gorzà, a beautiful plateau with a small lake ideal for a rest.

At this point, take the Ru di Verrayes immersed in the forest that reaches the Alpe di Trocharey and then the wild alpine pastures of Chavacour, dominated by the rocky profiles of Punta Tsan (3,320 m)-the highest peak in the territory-and Cima Bianca (3,009 m.).
You descend to the other side of the amphitheater, aiming for the Tellinod alpine pasture from which, with a climb of about 2 km, you arrive at Gilliarey, a panoramic balcony over the Matterhorn, Plateau Rosà and Valtournenche.

The return route passes through Tellinod again, descending to the Loditor wetland area to climb back up to the Chatelard Alp. From here you follow the same road outward to return to Mongnod.

VARIATION: It is possible to simplify the route a bit by starting from Chantorné, thus reducing it to 21 km with 430 m. of elevation gain (instead of 830)

Route type: loop
Length: 32 km
Uphill elevation gain: 830 m
Downhill elevation gain: 830 m
Highest point: 2182 m
Lowest point: 1511 m
Type of surface: mixed

Technical tips:
The Tour des Alpages is accessible to all when ridden on e-Bikes. It is recommended to carry water, energy food and a waterproof suit.

Municipality of departure: Torgnon
Place of departure: Torgnon
Municipality of arrival: Torgnon
Place of arrival: Torgnon

Recommended period: June to October