Discover Ollomont: Mining History, Hiking Trails and Winter Activities
Accommodation in Ollomont
Ollomont lies on a sunny plateau in the heart of Valpelline. Meadows, pastures, woods and pine forests shape the surrounding landscape. The village is also connected to the Tour des Combins hiking network and offers opportunities for cultural and winter activities. When planning your trip, you can focus on different things: trails through the mountain landscape, the history of mining, or activities in the snow.
Hiking Trails and Mountain Landscape
The trail to Conca di By starts in Glassier, follows trail marker 3 past Alpe Pont and crosses a distinctive stone bridge. From Glassier, the climb to Lago Cornet takes 2 hours and 20 minutes, to the Laghi di Thoules 2 hours and 30 minutes, and to Lago FenĂŞtre 3 hours and 50 minutes. The two shorter climbs take a similar amount of time; considerably more time is needed for Lago FenĂŞtre. This makes it possible to compare the destinations by the time required for each ascent.
Mining History in Ollomont
The Ollomont-Valpelline mining complex was in operation from 1700 to 1952. In Ollomont, it included the three sites of Saint-Jean, Balme and Vaud. The Sentiero del rame passes through mine tunnels, mining buildings and ore-smelting facilities, as well as play and adventure parks, museums and information points. Copper processing is a particular focus: the Mines Information Point includes an archaeometallurgy laboratory with information panels, videos and interactive demonstrations about mining history and historical copper-processing techniques.
A visit to the Saint-Jean site takes two hours: visitors enter the mine wearing a helmet and carrying a lamp. Visiting times for the Saint-Jean site are listed as 10:30 and 14:30 daily. Check visiting times in advance. The parish church of Sant’Agostino is also part of the village’s history; it dates from 1775. At Ollomont’s historic carnival, the Landzette masks celebrate the beginning of spring. Their brightly coloured costumes are inspired by the uniforms of French soldiers from the Napoleonic era.
Climbing and Snow Activities
Maison Grimpe offers climbing routes of varying difficulty and is also suitable for children and beginners. In the Ollomont ski area, a ski lift serves slopes mainly suited to beginners and families. The Baby Snow Park features a magic carpet lift, inflatable play equipment, a tubing run and games in the snow. Another activity is offered by the Ollomont Adventure Park, with rope courses and Tibetan bridges in a natural setting. The activities cater to different interests: climbing, ski slopes and snow play, or rope courses and bridges.
Regional Cuisine and Getting There
Restaurants in Ollomont serve regional specialities such as Fontina cheese, Modzetta, sausages, Boudin (blood sausage), rye bread and Valpellinentze soup. The selection therefore ranges from cheese and cured meats to bread and soup. By car, the drive from Aosta to Ollomont takes about 25 minutes. A tourist travel guide also lists the “Aosta–Ollomont” bus route; check the current timetable before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Lignan, Morgex, Châtillon, Gressan, Roisan, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Coveyrand, Challand-Saint-Anselme
For the regional travel overview: Aosta Valley.
