The mountains begin when you leave the road behind
There are mountains you simply look at.
And there are mountains you walk through.
Alta Val Susa belongs to the second kind.
All it takes is leaving the main road for a few hours to enter a completely different world.
A forest trail.
An old mountain hamlet.
A stream.
A mountain pasture.
An alpine lake.
A military road.
A summit.
With every step, the landscape changes.
And perhaps that is the most beautiful way to get to know the mountains.
By walking.
Hiking in Alta Val Susa: a mountain experience for everyone
When people hear the word hiking, they often imagine long and demanding mountain treks.
But hiking does not necessarily mean climbing a 3,000-metre peak.
A one-hour walk through the woods is already a way of experiencing the mountains.
A walk to a mountain hamlet can become a real hike.
A scenic trail can make for a wonderful day without requiring a high level of fitness.
And for those looking for something more challenging, Alta Val Susa offers mountains, valleys and high-altitude routes.
The important thing is choosing the right trail.
Start exploring from Oulx
La Maison du Coeur is located in Oulx, in the heart of Alta Val Susa.
This makes the apartment an ideal base for discovering a different hiking route every day.
You don’t need to change accommodation.
You don’t have to spend your entire holiday on the same trail.
You can choose your route according to the weather, the season, who you are travelling with and your own level of fitness.
One day you can explore the Gran Bosco.
Another day you can head into the mountains around Bardonecchia.
Another can be spent walking to a mountain hamlet or an alpine lake.
And if you don’t feel like hiking one morning, simply change your plans.
Gran Bosco di Salbertrand
One of the most interesting places for anyone wanting to discover the natural beauty of Alta Val Susa is the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Natural Park.
The forest offers a completely different environment from the more developed mountain resorts.
Walking among the trees, you enter a quieter world.
The sound of the road fades away.
You hear birds.
You notice the plants and vegetation.
You come across clearings.
And, with a little luck, you may spot signs of wildlife.
It is also a wonderful environment for families.
Walking through the forest
The forest is perhaps the easiest way to get started with hiking.
You don’t necessarily have to reach a summit.
The woods already offer everything that makes a mountain walk special.
Shade on warm days.
Scents.
Sounds.
Natural ground beneath your feet.
Changing light.
And above all, the feeling of being far away from the city.
That is why a walk through the forest can be one of the most enjoyable things to do during a summer holiday in Oulx.
Trails leading to mountain hamlets
Alta Val Susa is home to many traditional alpine hamlets.
Some are still inhabited.
Others mainly tell the story of the past.
Reaching them on foot allows you to discover parts of the area that often remain hidden from those travelling only by car.
The walk itself becomes part of the experience.
And then you reach the hamlet.
Stone houses.
A fountain.
A small chapel.
Mountain meadows.
And perhaps a view across the valley.
Walking along old military roads
Alta Val Susa has a particularly fascinating network of old military roads.
Some climb to high elevations and lead towards fortifications and former military positions.
Walking along them means combining two passions:
the mountains and history.
Sometimes the route itself is the destination.
Every hairpin bend tells the story of the work that went into building a road high in the mountains.
Every tunnel recalls the military purpose of the route.
And with every turn, the view changes.
Jafferau Fort
The route to Jafferau Fort is a perfect example of how a hike can combine nature, history and spectacular views.
The fortification stands high in the mountains.
Reaching it means taking on a genuine mountain route.
The road climbs steadily and the landscape gradually changes.
The forest gives way to more open terrain.
The valley becomes deeper below you.
And eventually the fort comes into view.
It is a particularly fascinating hike for anyone interested in military roads and the history of alpine fortifications.
Before setting out, however, it is essential to check the current trail conditions and any access restrictions.
Pramand Fort
Pramand Fort is also part of the network of fortifications and military roads that characterises the mountains around Bardonecchia.
Reaching these places often means tackling routes that are more than just easy walks.
But the reward is something special.
You don’t find just a building.
You find a landscape.
A road carved into the mountainside.
A fortification.
And the feeling of having reached a place that once had a completely different purpose from the one we give it today.
Mount Chaberton: high-altitude hiking
And then there is Mount Chaberton.
This is not an ordinary mountain walk.
The altitude, terrain and characteristics of the route require proper preparation and suitable conditions.
That is precisely what makes it such a fascinating experience for those who love high mountains and military history.
The fort, built high above the valley, overlooks a spectacular panorama.
Reaching it means entering a completely different alpine environment from the easier walks along the valley floor.
It is a hike to be approached with care and preparation, always checking current trail conditions and honestly assessing your own abilities.
Hiking and alpine lakes
Among the most fascinating mountain destinations are alpine lakes.
The route can be challenging or relatively easy, depending on the destination.
But the experience often follows the same pattern.
You walk.
You climb.
You pass through the forest.
You emerge into more open terrain.
And then, suddenly, the lake appears.
It is one of the most beautiful moments of a hike.
The lake becomes the reward for the walk.
A hike is not a race
This is something we really believe in.
You don’t have to arrive first.
You don’t have to climb more metres than anyone else.
You don’t have to walk thirty kilometres.
The mountains are not a competition.
If you stop to photograph a flower, that’s fine.
If you want to sit and enjoy the view, that’s fine.
If you need a break, stop.
If the route turns out to be harder than expected, turn back.
The goal is to return home with a great memory.
Hiking with children
With children, this becomes even more important.
A walk can be wonderful when it matches their abilities.
You don’t necessarily need to choose the most famous trail.
A short forest walk can be much more fun than a long hike.
You can turn the walk into an adventure:
Who can find a stream first?
Who can spot a marmot?
Who can find a particular plant?
Where does that trail lead?
The mountains become an exploration.
Family hiking: choosing the right trail
When hiking with children, it is important to consider:
- distance;
- elevation gain;
- duration;
- trail surface;
- exposure;
- availability of water;
- places to stop and rest;
- weather conditions.
And above all, consider the least experienced member of the group.
A route that is perfect for a fit adult may not be suitable for a family.
The mountains offer countless alternatives.
The challenge is choosing the right one.
Summer: the season for hiking
Summer is naturally the season when the possibilities are greatest.
The days are long.
Higher-altitude trails are generally more accessible.
The mountains can be explored for many hours.
But even in summer, the mountains require care.
The sun can be intense.
Thunderstorms can arrive quickly.
Temperatures can vary greatly between the valley floor and higher elevations.
That is why it is always important to set out prepared.
June and September: two months worth discovering
It isn’t only August.
For hiking enthusiasts, June and September can also be particularly interesting, depending on altitude and trail conditions.
In September, especially, the light begins to change.
The air becomes cooler.
The mountains take on different colours.
And the valley can become quieter.
For anyone looking for a mountain holiday away from the summer crowds, this is a period well worth considering.
Autumn in the forests
When autumn arrives, hiking takes on a completely different character.
The forests turn golden and red.
The days become shorter.
The air is crisp.
The mountains take on new colours.
It is an ideal season for walks at suitable elevations, always checking conditions and accessibility.
And it can be a wonderful opportunity to spend a weekend in the mountains outside the busiest periods.
In winter, hiking becomes a different experience
With snow, many summer trails change completely.
Some routes may require snowshoes, specialist equipment or winter mountain skills.
Snow can hide the terrain.
Walking times change.
Conditions can be very different from those in summer.
For this reason, a winter hike needs more careful planning.
But for those who know how to move safely in winter conditions, a snow-covered mountain offers an extraordinary experience.
What to pack in your backpack
For a normal mountain hike, it is always important to set out with suitable equipment.
Useful items may include:
- water;
- food;
- waterproof jacket;
- layers of clothing;
- hat;
- sun protection;
- fully charged phone;
- map or navigation device;
- small first-aid kit;
- spare clothing;
- headlamp.
For more demanding routes, equipment must of course be adapted to the difficulty and altitude.
Check the weather before setting out
In the mountains, the weather is not a minor detail.
It is part of the hike.
A day that looks perfect in Oulx can be completely different at 2,500 or 3,000 metres.
Before setting out, always check the forecast for the specific area and altitude of your route.
And be prepared to change your plans.
Sometimes the best decision is simply to postpone the hike.
Don’t underestimate the mountains
Alta Val Susa offers trails for every level, but that does not mean every trail is suitable for everyone.
A path can become demanding.
A military road can have exposed sections.
A high-altitude route can still have snow even when it feels like summer in the valley.
And the descent can sometimes be more tiring than the climb.
That is why you should always choose your route according to your own experience and fitness, and check the latest trail conditions.
The mountains are there to be experienced. But above all, they must be respected.
A day of hiking from La Maison du Coeur
Imagine waking up in Oulx.
The sky is clear.
You have breakfast.
Pack your backpack.
Check the route.
And set off.
The road gradually gives way to a trail.
You enter the forest.
After a while, you stop.
Have some water.
Then continue.
The forest opens up.
The mountain appears ahead.
You turn around.
The valley lies below.
It’s one of those moments when you realise you made the right decision to come.
Then it’s time to head back.
You arrive in Oulx in the afternoon.
A shower.
Some rest.
Dinner.
And perhaps you are already thinking:
“Where shall we go tomorrow?”
A holiday doesn’t have to be all about hiking
And that is exactly what makes Alta Val Susa so special.
You can mix things up.
One day hiking.
One day e-biking.
One day discovering the area’s history.
A day in the snow during winter.
A walk with the children.
A completely free day.
The mountains don’t force you to choose just one experience.
You can build your holiday one day at a time.
La Maison du Coeur: your base for hiking
After a day on the trails, it is nice to have somewhere to come back to.
An apartment.
Your own space.
A place to rest.
Somewhere to prepare your backpack for the next day.
A place to look through the photos from your hike.
That is exactly the idea behind La Maison du Coeur.
Oulx as your base.
Alta Val Susa as a territory to explore.
The mountains as an experience.
How many mountains can you discover from Oulx?
Probably more than you can fit into a single holiday.
And that is a good reason to come back.
One summer you can focus on forests.
Another on alpine lakes.
Another on old military roads.
Or you can return in autumn and watch the valley change colour.
Every season offers a different mountain experience.
Walking creates memories
Perhaps this is why hiking is so appealing.
For a few hours, your phone stays in your backpack.
The noise of the city disappears.
You walk.
You breathe.
You look around.
You talk.
And when you return, you realise you have spent an entire day without needing much else.
A mountain.
A trail.
Someone to share it with.
And somewhere to come back to.
Come and explore Alta Val Susa on foot
If you’re looking for hiking in Alta Val Susa, walks near Oulx, mountain trails, alpine lakes, old military roads, or simply somewhere to spend a few days surrounded by nature, Oulx can be an excellent starting point.
La Maison du Coeur gives you a base from which to create a new experience every day.
You don’t have to know which trail to choose before you arrive.
You can start here.
Discover La Maison du Coeur