Discover Epinel: History and trails

Epinel combines a long village history with striking buildings, local customs, and several described trails. If you choose Epinel as your destination for your stay, you might first ask whether you would like to get to know the place mainly through its historical landmarks or along the trails between Epinel and Crétaz.

Village history and historic buildings

Epinel is an old village on the Arpisson stream and has existed since the 12th century. A central landmark of its cultural and spiritual heritage is the Chapel of Saints Fabian and Sebastian. It dates from 1619 and is considered the heart of Epinel. The Casaforte di Tarambel, also called Tor de Mougne in Valdostan patois, tells of an earlier era: the medieval fortified ruin between the hamlets of Epinel and Crétaz was built in 1198. This means two distinct historical periods stand side by side in the village—the 17th-century chapel and the much older fortress.

Iron smelting is another facet of the village’s history. Between the 15th and 17th centuries, Epinel was a centre of iron smelting, which also involved processing magnetite. This industrial history adds insight into the village’s past activities alongside its buildings. Anyone interested in the cultural heritage will find more than individual historical names here: the chapel, the ruin, and the history of ironworking point to different aspects of Epinel’s past.

Customs throughout the year

Local traditions include Fiori di San Giovanni and Cantès. For Fiori di San Giovanni, residents gather flowers on 24 June to protect their houses from fires. During Cantès on 1 November, young people ring the bells from the upper part of the bell tower and throw sweets to the children gathered below. Both customs are tied to a specific date, but their described activities differ: one involves flowers and protecting houses, the other bells and sweets. If you are interested in local traditions, these two examples give you a concrete impression of the customs associated with Epinel.

Trails between Epinel and Crétaz

La Radura delle leggende is a one-kilometre historical themed trail connecting Crétaz and Epinel through wooded areas and a broad clearing. Along the route are places associated with vanished villages, local legends, and the Casaforte di Tarambel in Epinel. Its length and theme make this trail a clearly defined way to explore the landscape and traditional stories together. Check local trail conditions before setting out.

Another described walking route starts above Epinel and follows an easy, scenic farm track to Gimillan. The section up to the fortress is accessible with a stroller; check local conditions before your visit for the latest information on the trail. The access route from Cogne to Epinel is different: the flat mule track from Mougne to Epinel is also accessible with a stroller. These details apply to the specified sections of the trails, not generally to all paths in the area.

For another option, the official hiking guide lists the Cogne–Buthier–Epinel route under the name Sentiero Natura Stagno di Les Fontaines. The walking time given for Epinel is 1 hour and 14 minutes. This time applies to that route; it should not be confused with the length of the one-kilometre themed trail La Radura delle leggende. The two details help distinguish an option described by its route length from a route for which the hiking guide provides a walking time. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

Other named attractions

Other attractions mentioned in Epinel include a climbing wall and the pond of Les Fontaines, which is described as a natural attraction. Together with the historic sites and themed trails, these give you different options to focus on when planning your trip to Epinel.

Discover more destinations: Jovencan, La Thuile, Aymavilles, Nus, Gratillon, Villeneuve, Verrayes, Torgnon.

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