From Antagnod, take the road to Barmasc and climb up to the car park, where the road ends. Near the riding stables, a dirt road leads to some businesses in the area (restaurant and hotel), which you must follow all the way uphill. You also pass the second building where a path begins on the right that leads you, skirting the wood always slightly uphill, right to ru Courtaud: the ancient watercourse that crosses the entire Ayas valley. The itinerary from here is flat. Follow the stream upstream, a beautiful series of glimpses and passages through the forest will make this hike wonderful. The trail leaves the forest and continues through pastures, crossing first the Fontaney ski slope and then the Vascoccia slope, easily recognisable by the presence of the artificial cannons. Continue the hike along the stream until the intersection with the track that goes up to the Vascoccia alpine pasture. Here follow the signs for alpe metzan and stay on the carriage road, pass the farmhouse and continue until the road is interrupted by a wooden fence. From here we descend downhill until we reach the Varda alpine pasture, where a beautiful path leads us towards the NANA alpine pasture. The path comes out on a hairpin bend of the road leading to the Tournalin hut, and the hike continues downhill here to ST Jacques. When you reach Frachey, it is advisable to take the first bridge to cross the Evancon river, and descend to Champoluc along the path that runs alongside the stream. Having reached the village of Champoluc, the tour ends on the road to Antagnod, which can be reached to close the loop tour.
Val d'Ayas
Antagnod
Champoluc
Il Ru Courtaud
By: Comune di Ayas
Route category: E-bike
Duration: 5 hours
Length: 25000 m
Difficulty: Medium