Hermitage de Saint-Grat, from Pila

Introduction

This easy hike, which is also suitable for those new to this type of excursion, is one of the many possible variants to reach the charming little church that dominates the Aosta basin. To the delight of lovers of quiet and peaceful routes, it is also little frequented, but there are no difficulties either in terms of progression or orientation, since it climbs along the track of a farm road. The route is very scenic right from the start with views of the Rosa group and varies later with glimpses of the Aosta basin and the valleys and mountains that extend northwards from it.

Description

From the village, go up the road for a short distance and take a mule track, which climbs to the right just after a bend, and you will soon come to an open slope that you will climb up again directly to the Vacoz hut (1481m) located high up on the edge of the forest. If you wish, you can get to this point by faithfully following the continuation of the village road, but considerably lengthening the time required. We then continue to the right following the track of the farm road, which, after a hairpin bend, arrives at a crossroads with signposts (1503m). Here, too, we turn right, climbing steadily to reach the Les Usellières mountain pasture (1571m). During this part of the hike, in addition to the views of the basin of Aosta and the peaks of the northern slope, there is a beautiful panorama of the Monte Rosa group behind us. At the next hairpin bend, we pass by Villa Tea and then the track gains height in the beautiful evergreen woodland, arriving at Combatissière (1738m); now the track loses gradient and, skirting the wooded flanks of the mountain, reaches a fork (1797m) from which we can see the Oratory of San Grato. Keeping to the right, you lose a few metres in height difference and walk in a straight line until you reach the little church.