Discover Doues: hiking trails, winter excursions and culture

Doues can be explored through a variety of experiences: a longer circular route, a walk to the Rifugio Champillon, winter excursions and insights into the village’s history. If you are considering Doues as a destination for a hotel stay, you can plan your days around the activities that interest you most. Starting points, walking times and themes vary considerably.

Hikes and trails in Doues

The Ru du Mont is an easy, 7 km circular route from Châtelair to Vaud. The route is listed as having an elevation gain of 110 metres and an approximate walking time of three hours. The walking time offers an initial guide for planning your day; check trail conditions before setting out.

A shorter walking option leads from Plan Détruit to the Rifugio Champillon: families can reach the hut on foot in about an hour. The trail passes through the pastures of the Champillon basin. The actual walking time depends on conditions and your pace. The Rifugio Champillon “Adolfo Letey” caters to hikers travelling along the Tour des Combin and Alta Via n°1.

The Belvedere picnic area also offers a different starting point for outdoor activities. It lies at an altitude of about 1,800 metres in an open larch forest with large, level areas. From there, two trails lead uphill to the Colle di Champillon and downhill towards the inhabited part of the municipality. The different directions let you tailor your outing to your preferred destination.

Winter activities and nature

From Doues’ upper villages, ski touring routes lead towards Creux and Champillon. You can also spot wildlife on snowshoe walks in the forests around Doues. This gives you two ways to enjoy winter: a ski tour starting from the upper villages or a snowshoe walk through the forests. Snow and trail conditions vary from one winter to the next and should be taken into account when planning.

The Aula Verde is designed for visitors of all ages, as well as people with a range of mobility and sensory impairments. If current accessibility is important to your plans, check before visiting.

Village history and culture

The Museo degli Alpini houses a permanent exhibition about the Alpini and other related subjects. Those interested in the history of the villages can also learn about Meylan’s former role: the village once had a typical school for children from high-altitude settlements.

Religious buildings include the parish church of San Biagio, rebuilt in 1790. The church incorporates a chapel dedicated to Saint Nicholas, which houses the tomb of the lords of La Crête. Châtelair is home to Doues’ oldest chapel, dedicated to the Holy Trinity. Comparing the two sites takes you from the parish church with its integrated burial chapel to a freestanding chapel with its own dedication.

Local crafts include sculptures, carvings and bas-reliefs, as well as agricultural tools, household items and furniture. The historic carnival of Coumba Freida also shapes the local culture: the Landzette wear colourful traditional costumes that allegorically represent French soldiers’ uniforms and invoke the arrival of spring.

Getting there and planning

Doues can be reached by the “Aosta – Doues” bus route; check the timetable before travelling. Champillon is 11 km from the main village of Doues and can be reached from there via the municipal road. If you are planning a stay that includes hikes, it is worth considering both the approximate walking times and the respective starting points. This helps you plan the circular route, the trail from Plan Détruit and the trails from Belvedere as different options for your days out.

Discover more destinations: Etroubles, Introd, Fénis Ao, Rhemes-Saint-Georges, Gratillon, Sarre, Saint Jacques, Saint Pierre

For the broader travel overview: Aosta Valley.