Why not change it up this year and spend some of summer in Aosta Valley? We’ve had a good look round and can confirm, this stunning alpine region of Italy is practically made for families.
Lago Place Moulin Bionaz ©Regional Tourist Board
Let’s start with how easy it is to get there. Direct flights to Turin all summer long take less than two hours, and Turin Airport is an hour’s drive from Aosta – Geneva and Milan airports are within driving distance too.
Aosta Valley itself is the smallest region in Italy, tucked up in the northwest and surrounded by some of Europe’s highest mountains, including the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc. It’s also bordered by France and Switzerland which puts it right at the heart of the alps, and if you’re thinking, ‘sounds idyllic’, you are not wrong.
Mountain biking, Cogne, Gran Paradiso National Park ©Regional Tourist Board
Nowhere does summer in Aosta Valley like Gran Paradiso National Park
Gran Paradiso National Park extends for 70,000 hectares, half of which is entirely in the Aosta Valley. Established in 1922, it’s Italy’s oldest national park and even before that, it was a protected environment: originally designated as a Royal Hunting Reserve by King Vittorio Emanuele II in 1856 and largely credited with saving the country’s Ibex population from extinction.
That worked out well for Ibex, which are now one of the most commonly sighted wild creatures in Gran Paradiso, along with cute marmots in spring and summer.
Slightly shyer chamois can be spotted occasionally too and, if you train your eyes upwards, it’s not unusual to see stately Golden Eagle flying overhead. Although these days you might also be lucky enough to spy Bearded Vultures too: these disappeared from the area in 1912, but have recently returned.
Ibex, Valsavarenche, Gran Paradiso ©Regional Tourist Board
A naturally fun place to play this summer
Just because the park provides a natural habitat for some astonishing wildlife, and is also carefully protected, and astonishingly beautiful as a result, doesn’t make it any less welcoming to families. In fact, it’s one of the greatest places to play in the Aosta Valley and couldn’t be more up for fun.
If you want to find out a bit about Gran Paradiso before you go off adventuring, we recommend starting at the Cogne Visitor Centre where kids can learn all about the park through interactive displays and games. You’ll also see signs in Cogne for several family-friendly hikes, including one towards Lillaz which rewards a short walk with up close views of the stunning Lillaz Falls.
Guided horse riding, Valnontey, Gran Paradiso ©Regional Tourist Board
Gran Paradiso is a paradise for horse riding and mountain biking
Horse riding is second only to the simple pleasures of walking with kids in Gran Paradiso, it’s also one of the most sympathetic ways to explore the park, and you definitely don’t need to be an expert. There are guided treks designed just for families, with gentle ponies and an easy pace that gives you plenty of time to appreciate the landscape and breathe in the clean mountain air: one breath and you’ll know what we mean.
Or you can swap hooves for wheels and find out why Gran Paradiso is such a paradise for mountain bikers.
The Valnontey route from Cogne is a good one for older kids who know their way around MTB, and for parents who like a scattering of pretty hamlets on their ride. At 12km long and low technical difficulty, it’s not too strenuous and, as we said, there are plenty of pit stops along the way.
Another family-friendly route from Cogne is the Sylvenoire Plateau, which gives you the amazing Lillaz Falls as an incentive.
Of course, mountain biking is big all over the Aosta Valley in summer, with more than 1,000km of well-marked trails following forest paths, mule tracks and old farm roads around the region. Most are car-free, but also multi-use, so pedal politely and be aware of hikers.
Arch of Augustus, Aosta ©Regional Tourist Board
Summer in Aosta Valley even adds Rome to family holidays
Aosta Valley is known as the Rome of the Alps, a nickname that’s earned by its remarkable collection of Ancient Roman monuments. Thankfully, because it doesn’t share the same crowds of tourists as Rome itself in summer, you can see every site at your own pace and there’s no queueing involved. As an added bonus, most monuments are also tucked into pretty mountain towns or villages, surrounded by stunning scenery and very easy to reach: the Ancient Romans were all about networking.
Admittedly, you might not be able to see all the monuments in one holiday – good excuse to come back – but there are a few you shouldn’t miss, particularly if your kids like a good story.
Pont-Saint-Martin Roman Bridge, Aosta Valley ©Regional Tourist Board
With that in mind, catch Pont-Saint-Martin Roman Bridge which legend has it was built by the devil in return for the soul of the first person who walked across. That devilish challenge was thrown down to the Bishop of Tours, who happily accepted it, then, when the bridge was built, he threw a piece of bread over the Lys River which was promptly chased across the bridge by a starving dog. Needless to say the devil was none too pleased, but a deal is a deal, the Bishop of Tours hung on to his soul, and the elegant bridge stands in Pont-Saint-Martin to this day.
Porta Praetoria, Aosta ©Regional Tourist Board
Spend a day with the Ancient Romans in Aosta
Although, for the motherlode of Ancient Roman history, head to Aosta which has no fewer than nine magnificent monuments within easy walking distance of each other. Starting at the imposing Arch of Augustus and working your way round is the way to go. Porta Praetoria and the Pailleron Tower are couple of grand showstoppers, and prepare to be impressed by the soaring Roman Theatre. Although the underground corridors of the atmospheric cryptoporticus might be the one that really sticks in older kids’ minds.
See the other top historical sites to explore this summer in Aosta Valley
Hiking, Gimillan di Cogne ©Regional Tourist Board
Treat your senses to the wonder of hiking in Aosta Valley
Between the rich smell of flowers and the sound of birdsong, the unique experience of lunch in a mountain hut and the high chance of spotting wildlife, as well as the sensation of cooling lake swims or even just wading through clear mountain streams, hiking the Aosta Valley in summer thrills every single one of your senses.
If that sounds a bit too esoteric to tempt your average child, fear not, there are plenty of walking routes laden with as many kid-friendly adventure as sensual delights.
Hiking, Lake Goillet ©Regional Tourist Board
A lake walk is the perfect way to explore the summer mountains
Icy blue Lake Goillet is one of the most recognisable in the Aosta Valley. It’s really a man-made reservoir but who’s quibbling about nature when something looks this astounding? On top of the almost unbelievable colour, the lake is famous for reflecting the Matterhorn, so the rewards at the end of a Lake Goillet hike are worth the leg work.
Alternatively, a buggy-friendly La Ravoire hike gives younger kids an effortless lake hit. Make time to explore the medieval village of Leverogne on-route, and journey’s end is the tranquil Lake Lolair nature reserve, which is a haven for birdlife, as well as being simply lovely.
Fortress of Bard, Aosta Valley ©Regional Tourist Board
See how many castles you can capture in one hike
The Fortress of Bard is one of the most dramatic sights in Aosta Valley, and that’s saying something. Put aside a day for the Albard di Bard hike and leave time to take a tour of the fortress which houses four museums, including family-friendly Le Alpi dei ragazzi which explains the history, geography and evolution of Monte Rosa, Cervino, Gran Paradiso and Mont Blanc. The Ice Memory installation here will fascinate older kids interested in sustainability and local efforts to combat climate change.
Follow the route of the Arnad Castles and your hike is punctuated by the stunning Vallaise Castle, surrounded by vineyards, as well as two highly atmospheric ruins. If castles from the outside-only aren’t quite enough, try the Queen Margherita loop hike instead. Not only does it trace the footsteps of the first Queen of Italy, it lets you explore Savoy Castle – the Queen’s summer residence – and gives you the delightful alpine village of Gressoney-Saint Jean as well.
Castello Savoia, Gressoney-Saint-Jean ©Regional Tourist Board
Discover the secrets of charming Walser Villages
Speaking of villages, when one isn’t enough, you want the Walser Villages hike which starts off in Gressoney-Saint Jean and takes in no fewer than six villages and hamlets on a delightfully alpine route. Build in some time at Gressoney-La-Trinité to visit the Walser Museum and find out more about this historic part of Aosta Valley.
Find out all there is to know about hiking the Aosta Valley in summer
Rafting, Dora Baltea River ©Regional Tourist Board
Summer in Aosta Valley is packed with family activities
There’s so much for families all summer in Aosta Valley from colourful playgrounds like the Reading Park of Morgex to intriguing museums where they can learn about natural medicine, spend a day in a 19th century school, get dirty hands on local farms or even meet a flute playing automaton.
Outdoor pools all over the region are perfect for cooling off and winding down. Or for more extreme water fun, there are several child-friendly rafting courses, along with places to safely kayak and canoe, and even rivers to try hydrospeed: like a cross between body-boarding and canyoning.
Eleven adventure parks also criss-cross the region and cover every possible thrill level, so you’ll find ones where younger kids can build clambering confidence right through to the sensation of extreme ziplining and dry canyoning.
GiocAosta Board Game Festival, Aosta ©Regional Tourist Board
Get your board game on all over Aosta this August
Even festival loving families have something to look forward to during summer in Aosta Valley. A firm favourite with everyone is GiocAosta, the annual Board Game Festival which transforms the city of Aosta into a vast playground in early August.
Now in its 17th year, this colourful event introduces kids to over 2,000 boxed games, then takes it so much further with puzzles and crafts, giant outdoor games, treasure hunts, cosplay, video games and days of special events. As well as being next level exciting, it also gives you a different perspective on all the incredible historic monuments we mentioned earlier, and bottom line is, kids love it, from start to finish.
Now take a closer look at what great value family holidays are in Aosta Valley this summer