Pondel - Petit Poignon
Map & route
GPX track — verify on the ground before hiking
Fitness level
The starting point alone is worth the journey: Pont d'Ael, built in 3 BC, is one of the best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridges in the Alps. Its stone structure still bears the dedicatory inscriptions of its builders and spans the Grand Eyvia gorge with timeless elegance. From here the trail climbs 883 metres over 5.7 kilometres to Petit Poignon at 1576 metres — a sustained E-rated ascent through the wild Grand Eyvia valley within the Gran Paradiso National Park. The route alternates forested stretches with open sections offering glimpses of the deep gorge below. The arrival at Petit Poignon offers a quiet alpine setting away from the more popular Cogne valley circuits.
History & culture
Pont d'Ael is a national monument. Its double-arch structure served simultaneously as an aqueduct (upper level) and a road bridge (lower level). Allow time to explore it before or after the hike.
Getting there
Parking
Photo gallery
Photos are published immediately. JPG/PNG/WebP, max 6 MB.
Flora along the trail
ACurated and verified by Andrea Rama
Data source: Catasto Sentieri Regione Autonoma VdA · Open data — DGR 899/2014
Last verified:
Valle centrale
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