Tour des Six: Valtournenche

Discover Valtournenche in Valle d'Aosta

Valtournenche, known world-wide for its majestic and singular pyramid-shaped peak - the Matterhorn 4,478m - borders to the north with Switzerland and to the east with Val d’Ayas. It continues on the left into the Monte Rosa area with a large rocky barrier known as Grandes Mourailles, whose highest peak is Punta Carrel 3,922m.

Flowing the length of the valley is Marmore mountain stream, this rises from the glaciers at the foot of the Matterhorn and feeds Goilllet reservoir. Other interesting lakes to discover are Cignana, the three Balanselmo lakes, Lake Tsan and Lake Lod. We also recommend a visit to the Neolithic settlement 2.400 m above sea level at the foot of Mont Tantané. A further interesting site is the enchanting basin of Cheneil with its climb to Mont Roisette 3,324m or to Grand Tournalin 3,379m.

Outdoor pursuits here are closely associated with the mountain landscape. In summer climbers come from all over the world to scale the Matterhorn, but mountaineering is not the exclusive sport - trekking and mountain walking are natural choices given the extraordinarily beautiful landscape. Within the area there are many mountain huts (Ermitage, Barmasse, Guide del Cervino, Perucca Vuillermoz etc) that provide assistance to hikers during their excursions. Other pursuits include paragliding, mountain biking and sport climbing on both natural and artificial walls. In winter and summer alike, the Matterhorn is the home to skiing, thanks above all to its international link with Zermatt.

During the winter months, alpine skiing is the most favoured sport in the extensive Cervinia Ski Area which boasts a link with the Zermatt pistes, but there is also plenty of scope for ski mountaineering and ice fall climbing.