Chemp

Chemp is an abandoned village where the sculptor Pino Bettoni sought to bring it back to life by placing various artworks among the houses.
The works—around 80 pieces by 30 different artists—are integrated into the village, creating a magical atmosphere.
The village of Chemp alone is worth the excursion, but visiting the other nearby villages and the location of Varfey makes the route truly unforgettable.
Except after snowfall at lower altitudes, the trail is accessible all year round.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Torino. At the second roundabout, turn left towards Gressoney.
After a few hundred metres, take the road on the right into the Lys Valley and continue past the hamlet of Tour d’Hérèraz.
Just after, on the left, you will see the road descending (signposted for Chemp). Cross the stream, and immediately afterwards take the road on the right that ascends to Nantey. Parking in the village is limited, so it is advisable to leave the car at the widened area at the junction.

From the end of the road, pass to the left of the houses and take the beautiful mule track, which immediately climbs steeply to the right.
Leaving on the left the path that will be used on the return, continue along a mostly flat route through terraces and chestnut groves. Pass a house with a sundial and, after a waterfall, reach a small paved road.
Follow this road to the church. At this point, with a short detour, pass near the Le Crieriel hostel to reach the picturesque bridge crossing the Lys. Cross it, and at its end take the left-hand path leading to a parking area. Return to the road bridge and cross the Lys again. Along this section, you can see the other bridge just crossed, which is the only one in the Aosta Valley with four arches.
After the bridge, pass between the houses and follow the signposted steep mule track ascending through the terraces. Continue along the beautiful paved mule track until reaching the asphalt road. Cross it three times to reach the hamlet of Russy.
Walk through the houses to reach a small votive chapel, then take the mule track on the right. Pass a rocky, particularly steep section where you can see several Mediterranean broom plants, which grow only in the sunny lower areas of the Aosta Valley, until reaching the houses of Vers-Piatta.
Behind the houses, the mule track resumes, following steep chestnut terraces, and leads to the hamlet of Vers-Riasseu. Turn left here (just after, on the right, the village bread oven is visible) to reach the small white village chapel.
The road, now wider, continues gently downhill until reaching the main asphalt road again. Follow the narrow path that crosses the steep mountainside, passing three final hairpin bends, to reach the beautiful plain of the village of Varfey.
After visiting the village, return a hundred metres to take the path descending through the meadows towards Perloz. Quickly reach the hamlets of Mioccia first and Cretaz afterwards, where the asphalt road is met again.
At the hairpin bend, take the steep path that intersects the asphalt road several times and eventually leads to the hamlet of Chemp. After visiting the village and its artistic works, pass near the chapel and descend along the beautiful paved mule track.
Follow it alongside a large rock wall and then, along the terraces cultivated with chestnut trees, reach the hamlet of Nantey. Follow the access road through the hamlet until reaching the main road.