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Mount Rosa massif overlooks Ayas Valley, and its peaks include Breithorn (13.664 ft), Polluce (13.418 ft), and Castore (13.861). The valley has a glacial origin and features a narrow and treacherous entrance which leads to large green plains. The glaciers have created several lakes, particularly suitable for trekking activities and excursions.

The first human settlements date back to the age of the Salassi, a Celtic Ligurian tribe whose lands lay on the Italian side of the Little St. Bernard Pass and the Great St Bernard Pass over the Pennine Alps). After the Roman conquest, the valley became a passageway to reach the Helvetians.
The Walser people of Germanic origin later influenced the local architecture and customs with their own culture and tradition.

The capital of the valley is Ayas (5.606 ft), a municipality which encompasses 35 different villages.

Champoluc is the most populated and famous village, mainly due to the Monterosa ski slope, which connects the Ayas Valley with the Gressoney Valley and Valsesia.
There’s also the quaint hamlet of Antagnod, on the sunny side of the valley, where there are still many traditional stone houses called “rascard”: their ground floor is made of stone and they used to feature the stable, the actual residence, and an underground cellar; the first floor was made with larch wood and used to store cereals.
The traditional “sabots” wooden shoes are still manufactured by the locals.

At 4.389 ft of altitude, there’s the town of Brusson surrounded by a gentle and sunny landscape, which in winter becomes a popular destination for skiing enthusiasts, while in summer is perfect for leisure walks and excursions to the local lakes.
Brusson is also rich in history and culture: in fact, visitors can admire the Castle of Graines (X century).

Challand-Saint-Anselme (3.398 ft) is an excellent starting point for excursions and leisure trips, as well as a convenient passageway to the upper valley area and Mount Avic Park (Champdepraz is just 6-mile away).

Challand-Saint-Victor (2.509 ft) is a mid-mountain settlement and enjoys a mild climate all year round. It has preserved its rural character, the meadows, the woods and the ancient paths, and it is suitable for relaxed stays, although it’s close to sports and entertainment facilities.

The valley is also well-equipped for trekkers who would absolutely enjoy its many trails and the tour of Mount Rosa. There’s also the network of trails dedicated to Giorgio Frassati, the son of Alfredo, the editor and director of “La Stampa” Italian newspaper, who died quite young.
This network was inaugurated in 2009 and runs around the town of Fiery, where the Frassati used to live. The beautiful mountain landscape can be thoroughly enjoyed walking on this set of routes.

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)