Discovering the beauty of theAosta valley with Katie McNoulty
28th March 2025
Travelling the globe
The Aosta valley, Italy is set in the northern part of the country, and although it isn’t a single world heritage site, it is home to
some of the most beautiful and pristine natural landscapes in Europe. Despite not being listed as a world heritage site, as of
now, some of the mountains and regions in the Alps have been considered for their cultural and natural importance and this
area is an incredible destination to visit for nature, relaxation, soaking up the benefits of nature in large doses, and of course
for skiing when the conditions are favourable.
Katie McNoulty (featured here travelling this region) is an avid digital nomad. She’s an extensive traveller and is often found
exploring the quieter corners of the globe, and “off road” destinations which avoid some of the usual tourist traps. Her work is
incredible snapping images and writing content as she uses her varying backdrops for inspiration in her creative work.
Travelling the Aosta valley with one of our waterproof walking jackets in tow, she told us:
“Over the years, I’ve managed to pull together what I think is a pretty minimalist travel wardrobe. It allows me to feel like me
when I’m working as a photographer and travelling, balancing my love for fashion with the realities of living out of a suitcase”
So, onto some facts, figures and highlights of a trip to the Aosta valley.
How to get to the Aosta Valley
The closest airports to this region of the world are: Citta Di Torino Airport (TRN), also known as Turin Airport, located
approximately 31 miles (50 kilometers) away. Other nearby airports include Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) at 43 miles (69
kilometers), as well as Geneva (GVA), Milan Linate (LIN), and Sion (SIR). Turin and Milan Malpensa are probably the two biggest
airports and it’s simple to get from both these airports to the associated city centre and then directly out to the town of Aosta
from there.
Aosta town is a great starting point to discover the gems of this region. The town itself has an incredible old which is lined with
shops, restaurants, Roman ruins, spectacular views of the Alps all rolled up together. It’s slightly surreal to step out of a
supermarket and be faced with a view of the Matterhorn in the distance or Mont Blanc and Grand combin. This town is often
referred to as: “The Rome of the Alps”, mainly due to its ruins. It’s almost completely pedestrianised in the old quarter so it feels
liberating to stroll the quiet streets in peace and take on board all the sites at your own pace. These streets stretch out a long
way, so make sure you have your trainers / comfortable shoes to the ready.
Other attractions in the town which are a must see when you’re there include: The Arch of Augustus, the Roman Theater, and
the Aosta Cathedral
Pretty villages to visit in the Aosta Valley
Ubers and taxis are available in the town and actually there are some beautiful villages which are only a 15-20-minute ride from
the town centre. So, if you are based in the town and want to leave renting a car for somewhere outside Italy, You can
experience a taste of the countryside at your doorstep without the use of a hire car.
Aosta also has a reliable and frequent bus service which goes from the main town square to many of the pretty local villages
and is a great way to get about at less cost than car hire or taxis.
Some of the nearest villages to explore for the town are as follows:
Arvier: This is a beautiful village nestled in the valley, with beautiful stone houses and panoramic views of the Alps. It’s known for
its traditional Alpine atmosphere and is only approximately 15km (20 mins by taxi) from Aosta old town.
Saint-Pierre: Another small village just a short drive from Aosta (10kms and 15 minutes car journey). Saint-Pierre is known for the
Saint-Pierre Castle, and has breath-taking views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Cogne: A picturesque alpine village located in the Gran Paradiso National Park. Again, known for its traditional stone houses
and stunning natural surroundings, it’s a great place for all outdoor activities including hiking, wildlife spotting, and enjoying
the views of Gran Paradiso Mountain. Only 25km from Aosta (30 minutes by taxi) this village is really worth the journey.
Bard, Étroubles, Antagnod, Arnad, Lillianes and Avise are also spectacular villages and all are not too far from Aosta town. The
following link gives a short synopsis of these locations to review further to see which ones whet your appetite – Link
When to visit the region
Depending on what you’re doing in the valley (Skiing, trekking or relaxing) this part of the world is one of those regions which is
great to visit at any time of the year.
July and August are the busiest months, so accommodation and attractions can be crowded, but If you prefer quieter travel,
early summer (June) might be the best time to plan your trip.
Early autumn (September) can offer the best of both worlds with warm weather and beautiful fall colours alongside slightly less
crowds. Later autumn (October-November) brings quieter landscapes and a more peaceful atmosphere being slightly too early
for the ski folk and a just past the school holidays for most.
Other “must see & dos” in the Aosta valley
Val Ferret – A beautiful, flat valley near Courmayeur with well-marked trails and breath-taking views of Mont Blanc. This area
offers gentle walks along the river, meadows filled with wildflowers, and lots of alpine refuges for a snack. Start at Planpincieux
and walk toward Lavachey, following a mostly flat, easy path which can be navigated even with small people in tow
Gran Paradiso National Park (Valnontey) – Located near Cogne, this area offers easily accessible trails through lush valleys
surrounded by towering peaks. The trail to the Valnontey Glacier is particularly scenic and not too demanding. Try the easy
Gimillan to Lillaz trail, passing through charming villages and past waterfalls.
Arpy Lake (Lago d’Arpy) – An Alpine lake which you do just want to dive straight into (depending on what time of year you are
visiting!). The trail to the lake is easy, although it does take about an hour, and its breath-taking spot for a picnic
If you’ve spent a few days hiking and want to change the tempo a little, the Thermal Baths in Pré-Saint-Didier are a great way
to relax. Spending a couple of hours in a natural hot spring looking at the views of Mont blanc is a great way to take a day off
from the hiking shoes and let the thoughts of real life melt away. Outdoor pools, saunas and spa treatments are available here,
but do make sure you book ahead in busier months of the year.
Packing Essentials for life in the mountains
Depending on the time of year, you’re likely to encounter a range of weather conditions and terrains, especially if you’re
venturing into higher altitudes. The summers can get very hot but away from the high season (July-August) you do need to
make sure you pack for some rain.
Layer up so you can adapt to the conditions. Carrying a backpack means you can simply throw off or add on the layers you
need – being too hot or too cold is a nightmare when hiking so having a place to carry clothes as well as essential hydration
and emergency snacks is a must.
Insect repellent! I am sorry to report that this area does come with one or two of the biting kind of midges. Mostly located
around the wetland areas and more prevalent in the high summer months. Don’t let this put you off though, the scenery more
than compensates, and repellent or long sleeves usually does the job.
On her trip trekking through this region, Katie, wore the Protected Species Waterproof walker. Escaping to the wilds and being
outdoors in the serenity of nature is one of the things our products were designed for. Such a treat to see the images of Katie’s
trip, jaw dropping backdrops and her putting our product to the test!
“I wore my City Walker jacket trekking in the Italian alps at the tail end of September as the weather was cooling down, but can
already see myself donning this travelling to the UK to visit friends in London where the foldaway hood will come in handy, or
covering up on a scooter in Bali during the rainy season. It’s the perfect “to and from the airport” layering coat too when
escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter for warmer weather, when I don’t want to cart a big winter jacket around with me”.
Katie McNoulty – traveller adventurer and nomad @ The travelling light
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