Roisan: Trails, Peaks and History in the Aosta Valley
Accommodation in Roisan
Elevation and Panorama
The highest point in the municipality of Roisan is the Becca di Viou, at 2,855 metres above sea level. The Becca di Viou offers a 360-degree panorama of the peaks of the Aosta Valley. Roisan therefore has a clearly defined high point at its centre, directly connecting the landscape with the views.
The Roisan Nordic Walking Park comprises almost 80 kilometres of fully marked trails and extends across nearly 1,000 metres of elevation gain. The trails are suitable for beginners as well as experienced users. On longer tours, the continuous marking is a defining feature of the park for orientation.
Marked Trails Around Roisan
Route 105 leads from Blavy in Roisan to Alpe Viou and Tsa de Viou. Route 105 then continues to Colle de Viou and Bivacco Penne Nere. A separate Blavy–Becca di Viou hike also begins in Blavy in Roisan and ends at Becca di Viou. The Roisan–Arpuilles stage of the Cammino Balteo begins in Roisan and leads to Arpuilles over 12.905 kilometres.
Mountain Bike Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty
The Roisan Bike Park has more than 76 kilometres of signposted mountain bike trails. The Roisan Bike Park includes family-friendly cross-country trails with little elevation gain. In addition, there are signposted freeride descents with more technically demanding sections for experienced riders. Cross-country and freeride therefore represent two explicitly differently described types of trails in the Roisan Bike Park.
San Vittore: Views and Sacred Art
The elevated Church of San Vittore offers a viewpoint over the main town of Roisan. The Church of San Vittore is first mentioned in a papal bull issued by Pope Alexander III on 20 April 1176. The vault of the nave of the Church of San Vittore features frescoes of the four Evangelists and angels. The furnishings also include an organ created in 1831 by Giovanni Battista Franzetti and Ferdinando Arioli from Gemonio.
Rhins Castle and the Chapel of Saint Michael
Rhins Castle is a medieval defensive tower that was once the seat of episcopal jurisdiction. The tower’s historical function is therefore part of Roisan’s local history, without implying any present-day use. Next to Rhins Castle is the Chapel of the Apparition of Saint Michael. The chapel dates from the 17th century.
Festivals and Regional Specialities
The Roisan Carnival takes place every year during the “fat week”, that is, on the days before Ash Wednesday. SVAP’s Allô-Nuit service also includes Roisan among the municipalities it serves. The Village Paradis wellness centre is associated with the tasting of a typical Valdostan merenda for external guests.
Further destinations: Châtillon, Pré-Saint-Didier, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Champdepraz, Saint Vincent, Valtournenche, Etroubles, Courmayeur.
For the higher-level travel overview: Aosta Valley.
