Ancient Paths of the Alps

Arrival

Arrival at Geneva airport or at Bourg Saint Maurice SNCF station to transfer to the wonderful 4 star Mineral Lodge in Villaroger, France, where you will stay for 3 nights.

Via Alpina through Clou Vally and village of Monal

The Via Alpina connects people who share the same passion across borders, promoting an idea of European unity and contributing to the sustainable development of the Alps as a natural and cultural area. It crosses 8 countries from Italy to Monaco.

AM: 3 hours riding

This morning you will ride from a resort in Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise along a forested part of the via Alpina which leads to lovely village of Le Monal. On there way there is a fabulous view of Mont Pourri, the highest peak of the area at 3779 meters (12400 ft), and its glaciers. Continue through the forest where you can appreciate the immensity of the Clou valley, which ends at Col du Rocher Blanc pass on the border with Italy, and is where goats and cattle spend their summer. Return the the alpine village of Le Monal, where a local farming family will have prepared lunch and share in their traditional way of life, including a demonstration of cheese making.

PM: 2 hours riding

Return through the alpine forests with continued views of the valley, back to the Mineral Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Via Alpina through Mercuel Valley

AM: 2.5 hours riding

Today you head west to explore the Mercuel valley, near Mont pass, which connects Savoy, France to Valgrisenche and the Aosta valley in Italy, and was a traditional route for passage, trade and smuggling. The region of Savoy was until 1860 part of the Kingdom Sardinia and continued close cultural connection is still celebrated with gatherings as soon as the snow has melted. Stop for lunch in another alpine village: Le Crôt.

PM: 2 hours riding

Continue riding downhill through a forest, home to stag, roe deer, chamois and wolves, and back to the Mineral Lodge for dinner and overnight.

Seez, Le Mirori and La Mazure

AM: 4 hours riding

This morning head west down into the Tarentaise Valley, along the Isère river. Here in the flat valley there are opportunities for trots and canters. Cross at Séez and climb again toward Italy and the Mont Blanc range, stopping at an authentic mountain chalet. Here charming local hosts wait with lunch, while a large green meadow awaits your horses.

PM

Returning to Sainte Foy Tarentaise, have a guided tour of the delightful hamlets of Le Miroir and La Mazure, where architecture tells the story of the past. There are opportunities for shopping before aperitifs, dinner and overnight at the famous 3 star Hotel Le Monal.

Petit Saint Bernard Pass

AM: 4 hours riding

From Séez, follow the Roman road which goes to Saint Germain.

These alpine routes were used as far back as the Bronze Age, when they were already important trade routes. By 300-100 BCE, invaders were using the passes during their campaigns and the construction of the road that passes through the Petit Saint Bernard Pass in Alpe Graia probably dates back to the period of Julius Caesar around 45 BCE. After its completion around 3 CE, it became the main road that linked Milan and Vienna and by 18 AD was mostly passable by horse and carriage.

Today, we follow this ancient road to the St Bernard Pass, near the Italy border and the cromlech, which is a prehistoric arrangement of megaliths considered to be of Celtic origin, and the Colonne Joux or Columna Jovis, a Roman column which was dedicated to Jupiter.

PM:

After lunch. enjoy a visit to the local museum and Roman ruins. Transfer by vehicle to the 3 star Hotel Dolonne at Courmayeur (Italy).

Visit to Aosta Valley, Italy

Non-riding day

Visit the arc de Triomphe, the numerous Roman Remains of Aosta, as well as its medieval buildings. Have a typical Italian lunch at trattoria Al Dente.

This afternoon you can visit the medieval and renaissance castle of Fenis, with its magnificent frescoes. Have dinner and overnight back at the Hotel Dolonne.

At the end of the Roman Empire, the strategic position of the Aosta Valley had been sought after by the Burgondes, Ostogroths and Lombards. In 575 peace was achieved between the Merovingian king of Burgundy and Orleans, and the Lombards. The Valley was incorporated into the kingdom of the Franks who reserve control over the alpine passes. The castles and forts built in this area have been political, economic and cultural centers.

Departure or optional glacier trek

Breakfast and departure based on onward travel.

Or you can choose to spend an extra day, trekking on glacier du Géant at the foot of Mont Blanc. Start with a cable car ride up to Point Helbronner, where dazzling veiws await. You will have a high mountain guide who will assist with safety equipment of crampons and chains so that you all carefully and safely begin to climb. You’ll learn about the exploits of mountaineers in this highest alpine chain before stopping for lunch at the Torino refuge. It’s truly an unforgettable experience!

This afternoon you’ll say goodbye to the guide of Courmayeur and have the opportunity for shopping in town. Spend an extra night at the Hotel Dolonne.

Departure from optional extension

A full week after starting your adventure, depart today if you’ve stayed for the optional trek.