The best running trails around La Thuile

Perfect spot to take advantage and have a good refuel if you are coming from the French side.

A typical Aosta Valley village nestled in the mountains, a crossroads for Colle San Carlo, the Piccolo San Bernardo, and Pré-Saint-Didier. A little trivia: it was here that, at the end of the Second World War, a partisan brigade and a small republican brigade, putting aside all hatred, jointly opposed De Gaulle's attempt to annex the Aosta Valley to France.

https://youtu.be/mZBwtho5OI4

The “Peylet” pine forest in La Thuile is not just a picnic area, it is the heart of the town. A suggestive place, an environment where you can relax and be lulled by the sweet and ancient song of the waters of the Dora del Rutor, the chirping of birds and the squeaking of countless squirrels. Inside it is possible to walk in complete safety, stop at the 52 tables scattered around the area and for the more curious you can stop at various information panels that tell the story of the flora and fauna of the place. 2 and a half hectares, with 14 waste collection points where you can have a perfect relaxing and regenerating picnic

From Maison Berton we head to Entrèves. This position – between the Rutor and Dora di Verney streams – has given the hamlet its name. In fact, Entrèves means “between the waters”. Saint Barbara is the patron saint of the neo-Gothic chapel in this hamlet. The Saint was venerated by the inhabitants who attributed to her the merit of having spared the village the disastrous fire of 1794, which instead involved and destroyed the other centers. The current construction dates back to about a hundred years later (1876). The statue of the Saint is placed on the wooden altar together with Saint Joseph, as it is depicted on one of the five canvases that surround the altar itself. Noteworthy is the painting by Vauterin with the martyrdom of Saint Erasmus. The sculptural Pietà from the 18th century, which is located in the sacristy of the parish church, also comes from the Entrèves chapel. This beautiful chapel underwent a major restoration in 2011 by the Alpine group of La Thuile.

A great Aosta Valley classic; the climb itself isn't particularly difficult, but be careful not to underestimate the wind that often blows strongly from France, making the 12 km from La Thuile to the pass much more challenging than the steepness suggests. The landscape is beautiful and evocative: from the iconic eight hairpin bends that allow you to leave Pré-Saint-Didier behind, you enter the cool valley that leads to La Thuile. After passing the ski resort, you quickly gain altitude with long straights, then enter the forest and conclude the climb in a vast alpine meadow.

A marvel.

Don't hesitate to go to the Italian side: the coffee is much better.