Dortoir Baravex, from La Ville

Access

Leaving the motorway at the Aosta Est exit, continue along the - road to the Great St Bernard Pass. You pass the village of Gignod and shortly afterwards meet the road on the right, which leads to Allein. After descending towards the Artanavaz stream, the road climbs up to the main town of Allein and, after a few hairpin bends, finally reaches the village of Villa (1,405m, 7km from the ): here you can park in the car park in front of the Lo Ratelé farmhouse.

[0h26'] - [21.1km]
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The directions given here have been verified on the date of the survey of the route. Before setting off, it is advisable to ensure that no substantial changes have occurred on the route to the starting point. We therefore recommend the use of the satellite navigation apps provided by Google or Apple for up-to-date and detailed directions.

Introduction

Interesting loop to discover a little-known place in the Aosta Valley. The destination of this little tour is the Dortoir Baravex: this stopping point is very useful for those who, during the Tour des Combins, wish to keep lower and bypass the Col de Champillon. In this itinerary, on the other hand, we propose it as the destination of a beautiful circular route on the slopes of Mont Saron through enchanting pastures and forests.

Description

0h00' 0.00km From the car park of the Lo Ratelé holiday farm, turn left onto a small road that crosses through the village of Ville; go past a small clearing, then turn first right, then left and right again until you come to a small asphalt road that runs along the upper edge of the village. We turn right and begin to climb the wide slopes descending from Mont Saron along a small asphalted road. Along the way, there are interesting views of the not-too-distant Mont Fallère and Grande Rochère and the Mont Saron above. One climbs up the pastures, often with one's eyes peeled! passing a series of hairpin bends until you reach the junction near the Comba pastures: here, continue straight on, now meeting the no-trespassing sign (1666m). 

0h50' 3.11km The road now becomes a dirt track and, after a wide bend to the left, passes below the ruins of Pied du Plan (1722m): the destination of the itinerary is now clearly visible. Continue on and, after a hairpin bend to the right, reach the cottages of Baravex dèsot and, shortly afterwards, Baravex de Meiten (middle). Leaving the little road for the latter (1825m), one enters the beautiful Bois de Baravex, composed mainly of spruce (Abies picea) and speckled with larch (Larix decidua), which accentuates its colouring in the autumn period. After passing a bend in the wood, turn left and you will soon reach the renewed alpine pasture of Baravex Damon (1925m, 1h25'): having passed the alpine pasture, descend a couple of short hairpin bends and finally reach the new Dortoir Baravex (1910m) 1h30' 5.70km .
The descent follows the same route as on the outward journey 1h00' 5.70km .