Val D'Aosta, a small and incredible region, perfect for a weekend in motion among curves, mountains, spas and castles rich in history.
A land rich in natural and artistic beauties, to be discovered slowly as the flavors you will find on the table along the way.
| Length | 110 Km |
| connection | Ivrea - Pré Saint Didier |
| Winter closure | - |
| Road conditions and notes | excellent |
Content index
Our tour in motorcycle starts from Ivrea, quickly reachable by motorway from Turin and Milan, from whose exit we take the SS26 state road of the Valle d'Aosta. The road follows the Dora Baltea race, very gently (perhaps a little too much), crossing the small towns that follow one another. Our proposal, however, is aimed at discovering the territory, before reaching the splendid curves of the pass that awaits us.
Issogne Castle
Issogne Castle is one of the most famous castles in the Aosta Valley. It is located in the capital of Issogne (La place), on the hydrographic right of the Dora Baltea, and appears as a Renaissance stately home, creating a sort of contrast with the austere castle of Verrès which is almost opposite the opposite side of the river . Famous are its internal courtyard, with the pomegranate fountain and the colorful portico, a rare example of medieval Alpine painting, with its cycle of frescoes of scenes of daily life from the late Middle Ages.
Verrès Castle
Il Verrès Castle it is one of the most famous medieval Aosta Valley manors. Built as a military fortress by Ibleto di Challant in the fourteenth century, it was one of the first examples of a monobloc castle, consisting of a single building unlike the older manors formed by a series of buildings enclosed by a wall. It stands on a rocky promontory that dominates the town of Verrès and the road to Val d'Ayas, and externally it appears as an austere cube of thirty meters on each side. Verres castle photo: by Vincenzo Venditti
Fenis Castle
After about 27km you reach the Fenis Castle. Noto for its scenographic architecture, with the double crenellated walls that enclose the central building and the numerous towers, the castle is one of the major tourist attractions of the Valley. The castle of Fénis is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Italy and, very particular, it is located in a point completely devoid of natural defenses. Fenis castle photo: by Alessandro Borgogno
Terme di Pré St. Didier and the Piccolo San Bernardo Pass
Once in the vicinity of La Thuile, you can give your tired bones a well-deserved rest in the beautiful and very hot waters of the Pré St. Didier Thermal Baths, for a total fitness and for proper prevention (especially for the back and neck of us motorcyclists).
Other itineraries
For those who cannot resist the call of the "folds" up and down the Alps, the road leading to the Little St. Bernard Pass, on the homonymous hill. The landscape is beautiful and majestic up to an altitude of 2.188 meters above sea level, where the Piccolo San Bernardo Hospice stands. From the border with the France, given the beauty of the landscape, we recommend going up to La Rosière from which you can then reach the very high and equally famous Val D'Isère.
Where to sleep and eat
Noteworthy is the Emma restaurant, where the local flavors of tradition meet the skilled hands of Chef Giuliano Lodi who will be able to enchant dish after dish in Pré-Saint-Didier.
For info on all the castles of Valle D'Aosta www.lovevda.it/it/cultura/castelli
