High Route 1 — Stage 1: Donnas → Perloz

The first stage of High Route 1 starts on the valley floor at Donnas (317 m), the lowest point of the whole trek, and climbs in a single day to Perloz (1372 m): a transition leg ideal for loosening the legs and acclimatising before the high passes of the following days. It first crosses the most Mediterranean landscape of the Aosta Valley — the terraced vineyards of Donnas and Pont-Saint-Martin, where mountain Nebbiolo ripens on steep dry-stone walls — with the famous Roman bridge of Pont-Saint-Martin marking the gateway to the valley. At Donnas the consular road of the Gauls, carved into the living rock with its arch and milestones, recalls that this was Rome's route towards the Great St Bernard Pass. Climbing towards Perloz the chestnut woods take over, and the village, an old Walser settlement, preserves communal ovens, votive chapels and stone houses that speak of centuries of peasant economy. The 950 m of ascent are demanding for an opening stage, but free of technical difficulty (E). Services are plentiful at the start; beyond Perloz it is best to stock up on water and book the trail lodge in advance.

Along the route: from Donnas (322 m), the path passes Pont-Saint-Martin (345 m) — Crossing the terraced vineyards of the lower valley, to Perloz (1148 m). The skyline is dominated by Mont Mars (2600 m), Mont Barbeston (2992 m).