Fox Trail (Sentiero della Volpe)

A short loop, suitable almost all year round and ideal for children, as a booklet with questions about the area is available.
The route has only a short initial uphill section, while the remainder is flat and very pleasant to walk.
Along the trail, several wooden sculptures have been placed, adding charm and interest to the walk.
Many points of interest are visible along the route: the church and bridge, the washhouse, the Wisteria House and Planaz chapel, the Guillemore gorge, the former tribunal, and the Lys stone garden.
The booklet file can be downloaded from the Fontainemore municipality website or requested at local shops in the village.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin.
At the second roundabout, turn left in the direction of Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred meters before turning right onto the Lys Valley road, which you follow all the way to Fontainemore.
At the beginning of the town, take a small road on the right to reach the visitors centre of the Mont Mars Nature Reserve

From the car park, pass by the Saint-Roch chapel, cross the road, and admire the scenic setting created by the bridge and the church.
Enter the village for a few dozen meters, taking care at the narrow section used by cars, then cross the road and take the mule track (on the left, the historic Fontainemore fountain).
Climb along the beautiful cobbled mule track (used by the Oropa procession every five years) until reaching the paved road at Pian Pervero. Across the road, a charming wooden owl sculpture greets visitors.
From here, descend along the paved road, cross the bridge, and take the small road on the right that climbs. Follow it until just before the hairpin, where the trail begins on the left.
The trail continues on flat terrain, leading to a large shelter under a rock face, where a fine wooden sculpture is displayed.
Proceed through a short equipped section (take care if hiking with children) to reach a gallery, marked at the entrance by another beautiful statue. Continue past some buildings, then descend slightly to the paved road.
Leave the Cammino Balteo route and follow the paved road (on the right, notice a house with a large stone staircase and shortly after, a small building once used for drying chestnuts).
A few dozen meters further, leave the road to climb right and find the trail leading to the central square of La Planaz, where you’ll find the Wisteria House, the chapel, and another wooden sculpture in front.
Return and take the mule track to the right, which leads back to the paved road. (A small detour to the left for a few dozen meters reveals a characteristic washhouse under a large rock.)
A few meters to the right, then on the left, the trail descends to the Guillemore gorge bridge, offering views of the deep trench carved by the powerful Lys River.
Return a short distance to find the small road, and follow it to the right. Just before reaching the paved road, descend right along the mule track to rejoin the road, which leads to the cheese factory. At a right-hand hairpin, notice a house built under a large fallen rock, topped with an iron cross for protection.
Without crossing the bridge, take the road on the left, descending slightly along the stream. Shortly after, pass by the building that once housed the tribunal, notable for its beautiful windows and large mural.
After a short stretch, leave the paved road that climbs and descend along the track to the left, following the stream until reaching the Niana arched bridge. Cross it, then continue through the village, where at the end you’ll find a chapel and another sculpture.
Reach the main road, then descend to visit the “Pietre del Lys” area. Cross and turn left onto the path that weaves through the houses of Boure de Gris (after the last house, notice several arches with paintings inside).
This leads to the church, home to the Black Madonna of Oropa statue and a bell tower with beautiful windows and an ancient engraved stone.
Cross the bridge and quickly return to the car park where the car was left.