Balteo hike – Stage 3

The first part of the route from Fontainemore to Lillianes is currently impassable due to a landslide, so it is necessary to follow almost entirely the regional road. Using the bus for this section is recommended (technical data have been calculated excluding this part).
The visit to the open-air museum at Chemp is truly captivating and unforgettable.
You will then pass through the village of Perloz once again before finishing along the heroic vineyards on the slopes above Donnas. The large terraced vineyards here have made it possible to cultivate grapes on a slope that would otherwise be unusable.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, take the left-hand exit towards Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred metres before turning right onto the Valle del Lys road, which is followed all the way to Lillianes. After passing through the narrow section of the village, a convenient car park can be found on the left along the Lys.

Cross the charming bridge, passing near the church, then take the left-hand paved lane gently downhill and follow it to the end.
Take the path that runs alongside the Lys, crossing a small bridge near a waterfall, and continue through the woods, skirting a few houses. The trail now climbs high above the stream; before reaching the houses of Nantey, take the steep path on the right leading up to Chemp.
After the initial stretch, the path becomes a beautiful mule track, following a rocky wall and reaching the village of Chemp near the small church. To the right, against the sky, one of the early artworks can be seen. It is highly recommended to explore the village and the many artistic installations slowly, to fully appreciate the magic of the place.
From the middle of the village, reach the car park and follow the road uphill, with a few shortcuts, then continue left until you reach the bridge. Just after the bridge, climb the staircase on the right to visit the Glacières Mill.
Retracing your steps briefly, continue along the characteristic ru of Marine, which crosses a rocky wall protected by a railing, then descends, crossing the paved road several times, until you reach the hamlet of Marine. Descend through the houses, passing a gra (a small building for drying chestnuts), and return to the paved road.
After the second crossing, a short detour to the left reveals stones set into the wall with inscriptions dating from the Second World War, and further along, the large Aurora bell. Return to the mule track and continue until, near the hamlet of Chamioux, you reach the paved road leading to the main village of Perloz. On this stretch, follow the narrow road carefully, as there are a few cars, until almost reaching the village centre.
After crossing the small stream, take the lane on the right leading into the village. Pass completely through the village and continue along the paved road to the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-La-Garde. Climb up to the sanctuary and take a pause to enjoy the panoramic view (note the beautiful fountain carved from a single block of stone).
Pass the church and take the wide mule track descending to the paved road, then follow it until you turn left onto the steep path with large steps, descending through the vineyards above Pont-Saint-Martin.
Now follow the level paved lane on the right, which crosses the heroic vineyards along a scenic route, offering fine views over the valley floor until you reach Donnas.