The Way of Oropa Valdostan
Walking itineraries
The Way of Oropa Valdostan
A path alpine from ancient origins
The walk from Fontainemore, the easternmost municipality in the Aosta Valley, to the Sanctuary of Oropa is an itinerary that retraces the historic procession that takes place every five years to the Sanctuary, a tradition with very ancient origins. The walk is divided into two stages, of short length but high elevation gain, which we recommend tackling in two days, without shortening them, also because the overnight stay in the beautiful Barma refuge is worth the trip alone.
It is a real mountain trek, which requires good training, a minimum of experience walking at high altitudes and proper equipment, although it does not have any via ferratas or other steps proper to mountaineering.
The path is closed from October 1 to April 30, because it may be snow-covered or icy: even in spring and fall it is good to inquire about the passability of the Barma Pass (2,257 m a.s.l.) by calling the Barma hut.
The trail can be walked in the two directions: from Fontainemore to the Sanctuary of Oropa, or it can be considered a continuation of the journey for those arriving in Oropa after walking the Serra Oropa Trail.
The itinerary is also available on theSlowBI app, which can be downloaded for free from the stores.
16.7 km
Divided into 2 stages of mountain trekking.
Fully signposted
The Way has very accurate signposting in the direction of Oropa.
Difficulty: very challenging
Significant elevation changes that require good training, a minimum of experience walking at altitude, and proper equipment.
Organized accommodation
Discounted accommodation and restaurants at all stopover places, bars and fountains along the route.
Reachable by public transportation
You arrive by bus at departure, return by bus+train from arrival.
Orientation with App
The official app works even without internet coverage.
How to get there
Fontainemore can be reached by bus from Pont Saint Martin train station: Bus V.i.t.a., Pont-Saint-Martin-Gressoney line, 10 trips per day. Info: www.vitagroup.it
You can leave your car near the Pont Saint Martin train station, from where you take the bus to Fontainemore, Pont-Saint-Martin-Gressoney line.
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Bus (line 268) to Turin PS + Train to Point Saint Martin + bus to Fontainemore, Pont-Saint-Martin-Gressoney line
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Bus or train to Milan C.le + Train to Pont Saint Martin (changing at Chivasso) + bus to Fontainemore, Pont-Saint-Martin-Gressoney line
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Bus to Milan C.le + Train to Pont Saint Martin (changing at Chivasso) + bus to Fontainemore, Pont-Saint-Martin-Gressoney line
HikerTips
How to appreciate the Oropa Way every season
During the hot season the first stage can be a bit more strenuous than you might think for mileage and elevation gain because it is largely in the sun. Also, there can be a lot of mosquitoes in the Serra forest, so on the second and third stages we recommend that you carry repellent to keep them away.
Useful Info
Plan your trip
APP AND OFFICIAL GUIDE
The signposting of the Way
CREDENTIAL AND TESTIMONIUM
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We are a social cooperative-tour operator, a network of individuals and associations in Italy and around the world. Our story began in the late 1990s, when a handful of people began to question the meaning of mass tourism. Traveling and getting to know projects related to fair trade gave birth to the idea of starting a social enterprise that would disrupt the paradigms of tourism and work in direct contact with the civil society of the places visited, with people and associations directly involved in development projects.