Porossan, Neyves - Col di Viou

One of the longest and most demanding climbs on the sunny adret slope above Aosta. The route starts from the hamlets of Porossan and Neyves (739 m), amid meadows, vineyards and rural clusters overlooking the basin, and gains height steadily along the south-facing flank. Broadleaf woodland soon gives way to conifers and then to alpine pastures, while the gradient offers no respite: nearly two thousand metres of ascent make this a full-day effort, suited to fit hikers. The higher you climb, the more open and rocky the surroundings become, until the high meadows that precede the Col di Viou (2713 m). From the pass the gaze takes in the Aosta basin and the arc of summits that ring it. The descent retraces the ascent. Difficulty E, 9.3 km.