Donnas – Pian Coumarial

The climb is divided into two sections: the first, up to just beyond Fontainemore, follows the main road of the Lys Valley—less steep but more frequented. The second section takes a side road, much quieter but considerably steeper.
Pian Coumarial has often been included as a stage in cycling races. At the end of the route, both the Ristoro Coumarial and the Le Soleil holiday farmhouse offer the perfect opportunity to rest and recover after the effort of the climb.
In the downtown of Lillianes, directly opposite the town hall, a short detour of about ten meters to the left allows you to admire the only four-arched bridge in the Aosta Valley.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn left toward Aosta.
At the roundabout, turn left again, still following the signs for Aosta.
Continue until you reach Donnas. Just after the railway station, on the right-hand side, you will find a large two-level car park.

The first kilometres follow the busy state road. After a short climb, at the roundabout you enter Pont-Saint-Martin. Cross the town, stop briefly in the square for a souvenir photo with the Roman bridge, and after crossing the bridge turn left into the Lys Valley, also known as the Gressoney Valley.
The climb begins immediately to reach Tour d’Hérèraz, after which the route flattens out for a few kilometres. You pass through Lillianes (a short detour to the left leads to its beautiful bridge) and Fontainemore (worth admiring to the left are the church and the elegant stone arch bridge).
A couple of kilometres further on, turn right at the bridge leading to Pian Coumarial and the Mont Mars Nature Reserve. From here, the road climbs steadily. Along the way there are several junctions, but always follow the main road until you reach the large car park of Coumarial.