Doues: ski touring, snowshoeing experiences and culture

Winter ski touring, snowshoeing and trails

Those who venture out on touring skis will find routes towards Creux and Champillon in Doues. In the forests around Doues, you can discover wildlife on snowshoes.

From Plan Détruit, families can reach Rifugio Champillon on foot in about an hour, passing through the pastures of the Champillon basin. The route from Plan Détruit to Rifugio Champillon can be taken into account as a separate section when planning the route, with its walking time of approximately one hour. Champillon can also be reached via the municipal road from the main village of Doues and is located 11 kilometres from it.

Another scenic spot is the Belvedere picnic area. It lies at an altitude of around 1,800 metres in an open fir forest and features large, level areas. The large, level areas of the Belvedere picnic area can be included in plans for a break. From there, two paths lead uphill to Colle di Champillon and downhill towards the inhabited part of the municipality.

The Ru du Mont is an easy circular route from Châtelair to Vaud. It is seven kilometres long, ascends 110 metres and has an approximate walking time of three hours, which can be taken into account when planning the day.

Village history, churches and regional culture

The chapel of Châtelair is the oldest chapel in Doues and is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. The village of Meylan was once home to a typical village school for children from high-altitude settlements.

Doues is home to the parish church of San Biagio, which was rebuilt in 1790. It incorporates a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, which houses the tomb of the lords of La Crête.

The Museo degli Alpini houses a permanent exhibition about the Alpini and other related topics.

Local crafts in Doues include sculptures, woodcarvings, bas-reliefs, agricultural tools, household objects and furniture. In the broader cultural context of the Aosta Valley, the Batailles de Reines are among the particularly deeply rooted traditions. During the historic Coumba Freida Carnival, the Landzette wear colourful traditional costumes that allegorically represent the uniforms of French soldiers and evoke the arrival of spring.

Places for different groups of travellers

The Aula Verde is designed and suitable for visitors of all ages, as well as for people with various motor and sensory impairments.

The Rifugio Champillon “Adolfo Letey” is intended for hikers travelling along the Tour des Combin and Alta Via n°1.

Getting to Doues and planning your stay

Doues can be reached by the “Aosta – Doues” bus route. This connection can be taken into account when planning your individual journey to Doues.

If you would like to compare Doues with other places, here is a compact selection: Challand-Saint-Anselme, Aosta, Ollomont, Verrand, Pollein, Gaby, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame and Cogne.

To the main travel overview: Aosta Valley.