Donnas – Sassaz

A stage rich in history: the first part winds through the vineyards producing Donnas’ famous wine and past numerous olive trees planted in recent decades.
At the end of the initial climb, you reach the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-La-Garde, offering stunning views of the entrance to the Aosta Valley, followed by the picturesque village of Perloz, full of sights to explore.
The route then passes over the distinctive Moretta Bridge, spanning the gorge of the Lys River. The final section ascends a steep mule track, leading to the Etoile du Berger refreshment point.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn left toward Aosta. At the roundabout, take the left exit, still heading toward Aosta.
Continue until you reach Donnas; just past the train station, on the right, you will find the large two-level car park.

From the car park, continue toward Pont-Saint-Martin until you reach the church. Just past it, turn left and climb the small road leading to Rovarey.
Proceed through the vineyards until, just before the houses of Artada, you reach the beautiful steep mule track that climbs up to Bondon. Once in the hamlet, follow a short stretch of road to find on the right the steep mule track that ascends sharply, then veers right to reach the scenic plateau of Places.
Follow a short stretch of rural road; when it rises, continue along the flat and then via mule track to descend to the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-La-Garde. From the sanctuary, climb very steeply to Chanavisa. Note that in the second part of this ascent, the mule track has small channels carved into the stone to direct water downhill.
Afterwards, traverse a steep rock face via a somewhat exposed section protected with metal cables. Descend steeply at first, then follow a long diagonal to reach the village of Perloz.
Explore the old village: near the end, on the left is the large wine press, and on the right stands the Vallaise Castle. Cross the road to reach the church.
Descend steeply into the narrow valley, cross a slightly exposed rock wall, then continue down very steep hairpin turns to the spectacular Moretta Bridge. Stop briefly in the center to admire the Lys River below.
Climb steeply via hairpin turns to the church of Tour d’Hérèraz. Pass by the church and continue along an internal lane until you reach the regional road of the Lys Valley. Follow it for about a hundred meters, then cross the road to take the route to the hamlet of Remondin.
Follow the road to the chapel, where on the right a mule track leads back to the asphalt road. Continue left along the road, pass a hairpin turn, and shortly after take a dirt track on the left. Follow it until it becomes a trail that leads to the hamlet of Suc.
At the chapel, cross the road and continue left along the hydroelectric canal, passing a couple of footbridges to reach the long canal bridge. Descend slightly, then climb onto the road to reach the houses of Saley.
The mule track climbs steeply, passing several hamlets, until reaching the Chapel of Santa Margherita. The path then becomes less steep, traverses a wooded slope, and finally leads to the Etoile du Berger rest area at Sassaz.