Discovering Val Vény in the foothills of Mont-Blanc

The French part of Mont-Blanc is well-known. Chamonix, its principal town, and all the activities such as hiking and skiing will delight the mountains and sports lovers. This area has much indeed to offer visitors. Instead, this time we take you to a hidden gem nearby. Let's go to the Italian side of the Mont-Blanc: Val Vény. This valley is located in Ao[sta Valley](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/aosta-a-mini-rome-in-the-middle-of-the-alps-z2s6), Italy, and it goes along the Massif of Mont-Blanc.

The real asset of Val Vény is its wild nature. This valley is still almost untouched by men. Few footprints of human activity are the altitude stop off points, such as Refugio Elisabetta Soldini Montanaro. The valley starts north-west of Courmayeur, a well-known and posh ski resort. It ends with the Col de la Seigne: This pass stands for the border between Italy and the French Tarentaise Valley. Val Vény has been shaped by the Miage and the Brenva glaciers. Despite being sadly known for having collapsed on the 18th of January 1997, killing two skiers, the Brenva glacier is the highest icefall of the Alps. The Miage Glacier is the largest in the Aosta Valley: more than 10 km long, and it ends in the Miage Lake.

Picture © Credits to Andrea Luciani

Val Vény offers great hiking trails that will make you discover charming alpine lakes. Check out the hike to Lake Chécrouit and Lake Des Vesses - one to put on your to-do list. This hike is easily accessible to families with children and offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Mont-Blanc, the Miage and the Brenva glaciers. You can also enjoy magnificent views on the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey, Aiguille de la Brenva and the Aiguille de Tré la Tête. The hike starts at Rifugio Monte Bianco. The first part of the hike is rather steep. If you do not feel like walking this part of the hike, you can join the walk at the Col Chécrouit, through Dolonne funicular. Dolonne is a hamlet at a walking distance westwards from Courmayeur. The hike to Lake Chécrouit and Lake Des Vesses is part of the Tour du Mont-Blanc (TMB), one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the Alps. It is also a part of the path followed by the famous Ul[tra-Trail du Mont-Blanc](https://www.livetheworld.com/post/ultra-trail-du-mont-blanc-racing-through-three-countries-feg7).

The trails accessible during the summer months are replaced during the winter by an extensive network of ski slopes. These are part of Courmayeur’s ski resort. In Val Vény, every season has something beautiful to offer to every nature lover.