Dortoir Baravex, ring 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 crossroads near the Comba alpine pastures: here continue straight on, now meeting the no-trespassing sign (1666m). 

0h50' 0.00km ()The road now becomes a dirt track and, after a wide bend to the left, you pass 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, you will reach the cottages of Baravex dèsot and, shortly afterwards, Baravex de Meiten (middle). 

1h05' Having left 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 hairpin bend in the forest, turn left and you will soon reach the renovated Baravex Damon alpine pasture (1925m, 1h25'). After passing the alpine pasture, descend a couple of short hairpin bends and finally reach the new Dortoir Baravex (1910m).
1h30' The descent can be made along the same route as on the outward journey, but it is advisable to proceed downhill along the Sentiero path that descends the slopes of Mont Saron.

Follow the itinerary back to the Baravex Damon mountain pasture, turn left here and go back up the little dirt road. Neglecting the fork to the left for Orgières, continue straight on until reaching a practically level stretch that cuts across the ridge descending from Mont Saron. Re-enter the forest and soon reach the Parc pastureland (2014m) and its very long watering hole: from here, descend in a southerly direction following the yellow marks of the trail (not very evident at first). 

1h40' Now continue downhill following a small valley and soon reach the pastures above the Fontaines pastureland (1892m). 

1h50' Continue in a westerly direction, entering the forest on an almost level path until a turn to the left: from here, begin the descent into the forest along the slope above Echevennoz. After meeting the dirt track (1724m), continue downhill again following the path that starts out just below flanked by a wooden railing. 

2h00' You descend for a short distance then turn left (be careful, it is not very well signposted!) and continue your descent until you reach a small panoramic spot with rudimentary wooden benches. The descent continues until you come to a second small road coming from the Bossolaz pasture: here, turn left and head back towards the starting point. Shortly afterwards you will come to a fork: turn right and descend to Bruson (1479 m, 2h15'); here you will come to a post indicating that you should descend, turning right. 

2h15' After following a first bend to the right, you make a wide curve to the left, leaving the asphalt road behind, which becomes a farm track and then a path. When you reach a small stream, climb up until you come to the ruins of an old mill; just above it, cross the stream/torrentello: the path again becomes an agricultural track and then a tarmac road when you reach Ville. Passing the first houses, you come to the small chapel of La Ville, dedicated to Saint Stephen, and soon reach the starting point (1415 m) 2h30'.