Charvensod: Nature Trails, Mountain Chapel and Sacred Art

There are different ways to discover Charvensod: trails through the landscape, a mountain chapel and sacred art. If you are planning a stay, here you will find specific information about nature experiences, elevation gain and historical details.

Nature Trails and a Mindful Appreciation of the Landscape

The “On Air: a Sensory Experience” project created three immersive trails connected by the shared theme of observing nature. The installations include a listening telescope that amplifies the sounds of nature, viewing seats at panoramic viewpoints and frame installations through which you can look at and photograph the landscape. In this way, hearing and sight are engaged in different ways to experience nature.

The hikes to the Eremo di San Grato also provide practical information for planning. From the church of Santa Colomba in Charvensod, a forest trail follows Sentiero 102 to the chapel. The route is listed as taking approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, with an elevation gain of 900 metres. Another hike leads from Pont-Suaz to the Eremo di San Grato and covers more than 1,200 metres of elevation gain and almost 6 kilometres. These details let you compare the elevation gains and the route distances given; an approximate walking time is also provided for the forest trail from the church. Hiking conditions can vary depending on the season, so plan your trip with local conditions in mind.

Landscape, Cycling and Music

The Ponteille plain overlooks the Comboé Valley. On the Aymavilles–Aosta section of the Cammino Balteo, the route passes between Aymavilles, Jovençan, Gressan and Charvensod, along the edge of the forest and through orchards and vineyards. This landscape description applies to this section of the long-distance trail.

Charvensod offers two different options for cycle tourism: a paved road towards Pilaz and a cycle and pedestrian path accessible from the Pont-Suaz sports area. Those including different activities in their travel plans can choose between a road route and a shared-use path.

In summer, Etétrad takes place as a traditional music series featuring musicians and singers from around the world. The programme varies with each edition. Its seasonal timing is therefore useful to know if you would like to combine your trip with this music series.

The Eremo di San Grato and Its History

The Eremo di San Grato is a white chapel at an altitude of 1,772 metres, surrounded by meadows at the edge of the forest. The first documentary evidence of the hermitage dates back to the 13th century. San Grato was a bishop and patron saint of the Diocese of Aosta, and lived in the 5th century AD. The chapel, its elevation and the site's long history are different aspects of this destination.

Sacred Art and Historical Traces

The parish church of Santa Colomba has a gilded and carved high altar, probably dating from the 18th century. The two side altars are also thought to date from the same period; they are dedicated to the Rosary and Saint Anthony. The church's notable works of sacred art also include a reliquary made of silver-plated and gilded copper, and a processional cross made of sheet silver. Both objects date from the 15th century.

Today, remains of the perimeter wall and a round tower belonging to the Castello di Charvensod can be seen near the parish church. The castle has fallen into ruin. Together with the works in Santa Colomba, these visible remains add another historical trace in Charvensod to the sacred artworks.

Discover more destinations: La Salle, Saint Jacques, Ayas, Aymavilles, Etroubles, Pollein, Coveyrand, Gratillon.

Return to the regional travel overview: Aosta Valley.