Punta Fenilia, from the Lillaz car park
Edited by:
Massimo Martini
Updated at: 29/05/2026
Access
Road navigation
Leave the motorway at the Aosta West junction and take the in the direction of Cogne. Drive through the village of Aymavilles and, after 1.5km, take the second exit at the roundabout remaining on the (1.5km). Continue along the regional road, passing the hamlets of Vieyes, Épinel and Crétaz, for a further 19.8km to the roundabout near Cogne. Take the first exit remaining on the (21.3km) and continue for 2.8km to the Lillaz car park (24.1km).
Parking
The 🅿️ car park in Lillaz is divided into three areas: the places closest to the start of the trails are paid for; the central ones are free; the area furthest away is reserved for motorhomes.
Access by public transport
The municipality of Cogne can be reached from Aosta with the SVAP 340 "Aosta-Cogne" line, operating all year round, departing from the Aosta Bus Station. In summer, the village of Lillaz can be reached from the Cogne Revettaz stop with the SVAP urban shuttle line 193 "Cogne Urbana Estiva", with a stop at Lillaz Piazzale. For up-to-date timetables of both lines please consult the SVAP Lines and Timetables page. Outside the summer period, a private vehicle is required to reach Lillaz from the Cogne stop.
Distance and travel time
🕒 Travel time: 33 minutes
📏 Distance: 24.1km
GPS navigation
Information note
The information provided has been verified as of the date of the survey of the itinerary. Before departure, it is recommended to check possible changes in the route or road conditions. Please consult Google Maps or Apple Maps for the latest information.
.Introduction
A climb to Punta Fenilia (3,053m) from Lillaz, in the upper Cogne valley, with a return by the same route. The route climbs up the Valeille gorge, first following the trail, then the trail, in a sustained vertical progression that crosses distinctly different environments: the wooded gully of Scots pine and larch, characterised by long blades of rock flanking the track; the wide open gully with the central stony area; the grassy plateaus and polished rock slabs of the high altitude; finally, the terminal gully that emerges at the col between Punta Fenilia and 3.039m, at an altitude of 2,960m, the transition point between the Valeille and Valnontey slopes.
From the col, the summit is reached by traversing a ledge on friable terrain on the Valnontey slope, then climbing up on clods to the terminal rocky band, which is overcome with a few steps and a short exposed traverse: this section, classified T3, is the most demanding passage and requires a sure footing. In a hidden hollow at about 2,650m there is a small lake with a stream, the only source of water in the upper part of the route.
The itinerary can be climbed in late summer, when the residual snowfields in the gullies are cleared and the high-altitude scree is stable. The overall height difference is considerable and the orientation in the high plateaus requires attention, with the trail being poorly marked in places before the final scree slope.
Description
0h00' 0.00km From the car park, take the small road with a no-trespassing sign on the side of the playground and cross the wide wooden bridge over the Valeille stream. Turn right and continue along the track of a mule track; keep to the right at the next crossroads with the marker posts and continue briefly to a second small bridge (1,656m).
0h05' 0.25km Cross the small bridge and follow the signs for the marker. Take a short, slightly uphill traverse to the right, which leads to the base of a wide, grassy gully; the slope becomes noticeably steeper and the path, entering into the pine and larch woods (Pinus sylvestris, Larix decidua), climbs up the gully with numerous hairpin bends, characterised by long rock blades flanking the path. Pass the remains of a small hut (2,183m) and continue on steep terrain until the exit from the forest.
2h10' 3.24km On leaving the forest, the path enters a wide valley with a large boulder-strewn scree in the centre. Near the last solitary larch, you will come to a fork with a signpost (2,347m): disregard path to the right towards Grand Crot and the Belvedere cable car arrival station, and instead follow path to the left. Cross the scree slope following the yellow marks and cairns, making a semi-circle slightly downhill to the left, then climb up easy rocky slabs to the Valeille. Go over a few large steps until you reach a large cairn in a panoramic position (2,453m).
2h42' 3.85km Leave the cairn on the left and climb up the meadows along the steep path that climbs up the ridge. At an altitude of around 2,650m you reach a shelf; in a hidden hollow on the left-hand side there is a small pond with a stream 💧. Continue on the track, which is not very marked in places, crossing the grassy plateau in the direction of the summit, then ascend along smooth rocky banks, cross a small grassy plateau and head for the scree slope descending from the summit.
3h06' 4.29km (1,118mD+) Climb the first part of the medium-sized scree slope following the signs and cairns; the terrain becomes progressively steeper and more scree-like. Move slightly to the right below the summit vertical and enter the rocky gully to the left of it. Climb up the gully over a smooth slab to the col between Punta Fenilia and elevation 3,039m.
4h14' 5.57km (1,454mD+) From the col (2,960m) continue to the right on a track slightly downhill on the Valnontey side, along a ledge on friable and steep ground. Reach the opposite end of the slope and climb steeply over clods of loam to the terminal band of rocks. Climb easily up steps and over a short exposed traverse to Punta Fenilia (3,053m) 4h20' 5.69km (1,495mD+) .
Return along the same route as on the ascent 2h20' 6.02km (1,495mD-).