Cogne and a Century of Paradise: A Great Discovery

The Giro d'Italia is an incredible showcase from a territorial point of view, the media exposure afforded to the territories covered by the Corsa Rosa is immense. Cogne decided to ride the wave of the Giro and show all the beauty it can offer, to cycling enthusiasts and beyond. 

"It's difficult to give feedback just a few months after the Giro d'Italia has passed through," says Giuseppe Lamastra, deputy mayor of Cogne. "As a cycling and nature enthusiast, I I saw more cyclists on our roads in JuneBut for Cogne, and for the entire valley, this must be a starting point, not the icing on the cake. Our goal was to introduce our region to a different audience. Cogne has always been a destination for sports tourism but linked to other activitiesTrekking, mountaineering, cross-country skiing. Images of the Cogne Valley have undoubtedly been seen around the world, and we're ready to welcome even more people to our roads and trails.

Trails and MTB

Gran Paradiso National Park is one of those natural beauties that captivates us with its magnificence. In addition to discovering it on foot, along its numerous trekking trails, It's spectacular to discover it on a mountain bikeThe network covers over 1.000 kilometers of cycling routes, spanning three municipalities in the Aosta Valley. There are 7 itineraries, of different difficulty levels and, consequently, suitable for everyone.: avid cyclists and families just starting out. All while remaining immersed in the heart of the National Park. 

«Compared to road cycling – continues Lamastra – we can say that Cogne is more familiar with the world of mountain biking. We have been organizing the GranParadisoBike, a very beautiful event but one that we can make grow even more. If you pay attention on the Park website there is the "cyclist's decalogue" that is, a series of behaviors that must be maintained with respect for everyone and the Park itself.

«Within the Gran Paradiso National Park – he continues – we have tourism dedicated to trekking, coexistence with bikers is not always easy, so the decalogue serves to create harmony and respect among allWe're not a bike park; we want to bring the beauty of hiking to cyclists too. We offer all the tourist and scenic activities you could possibly do by bike." 

One Hundred Years of Paradise

Il Gran Paradiso National Park It turns 100, a milestone that deserves to be celebrated in the right way. And the Cogne Valley has decided to mark it with dedicated events.

«First of all we must be aware – he says – that When cycling in a National Park, you need to be careful and understand that you are cycling in a unique context., protected, where the tranquility of nature must not be disturbed. Thanks to the bike, you can visit more of its beauties and enjoy the park's various facets. From this point of view, theThe e-bike has added another piece to the puzzle and now many more people can enjoy the beauty of the Park.. The bike is a tool that allows you to discover so much. The Cogne Valley is quite large, you can even travel 50-60 kilometers inside it."

Events dedicated to the Park

It starts on July 15th, at the Maison Gérard Dayné, ethnographic museum of Cogne, with the inauguration of a photographic exhibition celebrating the book “Gran Paradiso National Park – 100 years and a hundred more”, The exhibition illustrates the history of the Park, including the events and changes that have taken place over the last 100 years. It's a way to bring people closer to the Park and raise awareness of the importance of this wonderful corner of paradise. At the end, a toast to the centenary, accompanied by wooden music, will mark the first event of the series. MusiCogne, music and culture in nature, also sponsored by the Park.

A week later, on July 22, The centenary celebrations continue at the Paradisia Alpine Botanical Garden, with activities dedicated to medicinal herbs. Throughout the day, the Alpine Botanical Garden will be open to visitors free of charge, and corners will be set up where visitors can participate in sensory experiences that will reveal the scents and secrets of some of the Park's unique plants. The Garden will also host a musical performance at sunset: a suite for strings and vegetable percussion created by the SFOM school of Aosta, as part of the project Sound Seeds.

To discover events and immerse yourself in the history of the Gran Paradiso National Park you can visit the official page. dedicated to it.

Not only nature, but also culture, the Gran Paradiso National Park has hosted a major cinematographic event for years: Il Gran Paradiso Film Festival: the event has reached its 25th editionFrom July 11th to August 7th: a month of screenings focusing on nature, in all its forms and representations. 

Mines and castles

The history of the Cogne Valley is inextricably linked to its mines, which for decades were the valley's economic hub. In particular, magnetite was mined underground under Cogne: there were three main mines: Liconi, Colonna, and Costa del Pino. Mining activity ceased to be the livelihood of the families of the Cogne Valley in 1979, year the mines were closed. Despite everything, these tunnels represent an important part of the history of the Valley and its inhabitants, so over time it was decided to create guided tours from June to September. This is the link for guided tours.

As you cycle along the roads and paths of the Aosta Valley, you'll be enchanted by the beauty of its castles. One of the most fascinating is located in Aymavilles, at the beginning of the Cogne ValleyThe castle has been reopened to the public after a long and meticulous restoration. July 23rd will be the day dedicated to this gem. nestled in the valley that hosted the arrival of the fifteenth stage of the Giro d'ItaliaIt will be a day entirely dedicated to discovering the life that revolved around the castle, with themed excursions to the Roman aqueduct bridge of Pont d'Ael.