Balteo hike– Stage 23

The final stage of the Cammino Balteo brings us back to Pont-Saint-Martin.
The descent towards Hône, and the continuation to Bard and Donnas, follows entirely the route of the Tor des Géants.
In the final section, the path partially retraces the vineyard area, offering a chance to admire the immense work carried out by past generations.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn left towards Aosta. At the roundabout, continue to the left, still following signs for Aosta.
Pass through Donnas and continue to Bard. After the village, at the roundabout, turn left towards Champorcher. Pass through Hône and enter the Val di Champorcher. Continue almost to Pontboset, where on the right the road to Biel begins. Follow it for a few dozen metres before turning left to access the car park where you leave the car.
From the Verrès tollgate, turn right towards Turin, pass Arnad, and at the roundabout, turn right towards Champorcher.

In the middle of Pontboset, the path begins that descends towards the stream (marked with blue blazes for the Six Bridges route). Pass between the houses, then turn left to follow the stream until you cross it on a charming bridge.
Slightly climb up to the small Frontière car park, pass between the houses, then descend alongside the stream. A short climb brings you to the Ratus Gorge Bridge. After crossing it, ascend a very steep section, then cross a small stream and begin the descent towards Hône.
The beautiful mule track descends through the woods until reaching a small paved road. Follow it downhill to the Ayasse Bridge, then continue to the right to reach the level crossing and the medieval bridge, from which the magnificent Bard Fortress can be admired.
Crossing the bridge, enter the village of Bard (a visit to the fortress is highly recommended), and follow the village streets to the end, where a steep lane on the right descends alongside the railway. Climb again and follow the pavement to reach the stunning Roman road carved into the rock.
Continue through the village until the eastern gate, cross a car park, and reach the main road. When you see the railway station on the right, climb the Via Treby to the left, then continue along Via Barmes, descending slightly to the Bec Renon hall. Proceed a short distance to the left, then take the left-hand road with several hairpins that leads through the vineyards (already traversed in Stage 2).
Follow the vineyard road almost to the end, then take the mule track that passes near the beautiful Church of Fontaney, leading into the centre of Pont-Saint-Martin, where turning left brings you to the Roman bridge where our adventure began.