Tornalla ring of Oyace
Hiking
Tornalla ring of Oyace
Details
Description
The Tornalla (or Tour d'Oyace) is a medieval-era tower with an octagonal shape. It was built above a rocky promontory that dominates the small commune of Oyace from above.
The only example in the Aosta Valley of such a construction, it has an inner diameter of 3.5 m outer 7.5 m and a height of 11.7 m. Its silhouette has been included in the municipality's banner. An information panel with the history of Tornalla is placed at the tower.
The route, a loop tour, is a pleasant hike s...
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Details
Oyace
Municipality
suitable for all
Effort
T
Difficulty
1h 15m
Ascent time
0h 15m
Descent time
1h 30m
Total time
1.360 m
Starting elevation
1.474 m
Arrival elevation
250 m
Ascent vertical drop
5.000 m
Total length
3,5
Ascent signposts
3
Descent signposts
Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct
Best period
high
Crowding
Overview
The Tornalla (or Tour d'Oyace) is a medieval-era tower with an octagonal shape. It was built above a rocky promontory that dominates the small commune of Oyace from above.
The only example in the Aosta Valley of such a construction, it has an inner diameter of 3.5 m outer 7.5 m and a height of 11.7 m. Its silhouette has been included in the municipality's banner. An information panel with the history of Tornalla is placed at the tower.
The route, a loop tour, is a pleasant hike suitable for everyone, not very strenuous and with a small elevation gain but very varied, with beautiful views of the peaks of the upper Valpelline, alternating and beautiful forests with the addition of the striking gorge that is crossed thanks to the Betenda Bridge over the Buthier stream, dating back to 1688.
The only example in the Aosta Valley of such a construction, it has an inner diameter of 3.5 m outer 7.5 m and a height of 11.7 m. Its silhouette has been included in the municipality's banner. An information panel with the history of Tornalla is placed at the tower.
The route, a loop tour, is a pleasant hike suitable for everyone, not very strenuous and with a small elevation gain but very varied, with beautiful views of the peaks of the upper Valpelline, alternating and beautiful forests with the addition of the striking gorge that is crossed thanks to the Betenda Bridge over the Buthier stream, dating back to 1688.
Reaching the start
From the Aosta East tollbooth take the tunnel along the E27 road leading into the Great St. Bernard Valley, at the end of which you meet the SS27 coming from the center of Aosta. Just before Gignod, immediately after the last tunnel, proceed to the right following the Valpelline SR38, reaching the main town.
Continue in the direction of Bionaz for another 8 km along the SR38 until the center of Oyace, just past the municipal building on the left you will find a parking lot.
Continue in the direction of Bionaz for another 8 km along the SR38 until the center of Oyace, just past the municipal building on the left you will find a parking lot.
The route
From the parking lot descend along the regional road for a few meters until you reach the beautiful Oyace Church dedicated to St. Michael, from which there is a vast panorama of the lower Valpelline. Follow path No. 3 beside the building and descend along a beautiful paved mule track beside a meadow that ends at the Valpelline provincial road. Follow it for a few meters downhill to reach the hamlets of Grenier and Vernosse.
You cross the houses along a small asphalt road until you reach a bridge over the Buthier Torrent, which must be crossed; immediately afterwards you meet the signpost for Ponte della Betenda, marker no.5 and the path on the left.
The flat path flanks a meadow, while, if you look up to the north you can see the silhouette of Tornalla. You arrive at the beginning of a beautiful conifer and larch forest with a fountain.
The path continues, always flat, carpeted with larch needles in the cool forest until you reach the characteristic Betenda humpback stone bridge, which allows you to cross the gorge at its narrowest point and 54 m deep! The presence of cables makes it safe even for children to cross.
We continue back to the route followed so far but on the opposite side of the stream gully, until we come to a fork where we keep to the lower path No. 3 which continues on level ground reaching a clearing, on the slopes of Tornalla, with the stone huts of Betenda 1356 m where a stream flows.
Passing between the houses you follow the path that now begins to climb in a northerly direction inside the dense forest with a good gradient; having faced a few hairpin bends the path becomes more comfortable again and there are also panoramic views of the northern side of Valpelline.
Reaching a collar in the woods, continue straight on following the easy path that with a few ups and downs reaches the base of the promontory on which the tower stands: overcome a very short stone step thanks to a mancorrente, and here is the Tornalla tower.
Here, looking out onto the sunniest slope, devoid of vegetation, you will be able to admire a 360° panorama of the middle and upper Valpelline, as well as an evocative view from above of the village of Oyace.
To return to Oyace, you return to the previous wooded knoll, where you must continue left downhill, following the wide mule track that quickly descends on the west side of the promontory. With a small detour you can reach a children's play area on the left, while continuing the path you reach a dwelling surrounded by a meadow. Continue left between two low walls to reach the provincial road, which you cross to continue on path No. 3, a beautiful mule track that runs parallel to the road. Quickly reaching the center of Oyace by walking along the main street, you return to the parking lot of the town hall.
You cross the houses along a small asphalt road until you reach a bridge over the Buthier Torrent, which must be crossed; immediately afterwards you meet the signpost for Ponte della Betenda, marker no.5 and the path on the left.
The flat path flanks a meadow, while, if you look up to the north you can see the silhouette of Tornalla. You arrive at the beginning of a beautiful conifer and larch forest with a fountain.
The path continues, always flat, carpeted with larch needles in the cool forest until you reach the characteristic Betenda humpback stone bridge, which allows you to cross the gorge at its narrowest point and 54 m deep! The presence of cables makes it safe even for children to cross.
We continue back to the route followed so far but on the opposite side of the stream gully, until we come to a fork where we keep to the lower path No. 3 which continues on level ground reaching a clearing, on the slopes of Tornalla, with the stone huts of Betenda 1356 m where a stream flows.
Passing between the houses you follow the path that now begins to climb in a northerly direction inside the dense forest with a good gradient; having faced a few hairpin bends the path becomes more comfortable again and there are also panoramic views of the northern side of Valpelline.
Reaching a collar in the woods, continue straight on following the easy path that with a few ups and downs reaches the base of the promontory on which the tower stands: overcome a very short stone step thanks to a mancorrente, and here is the Tornalla tower.
Here, looking out onto the sunniest slope, devoid of vegetation, you will be able to admire a 360° panorama of the middle and upper Valpelline, as well as an evocative view from above of the village of Oyace.
To return to Oyace, you return to the previous wooded knoll, where you must continue left downhill, following the wide mule track that quickly descends on the west side of the promontory. With a small detour you can reach a children's play area on the left, while continuing the path you reach a dwelling surrounded by a meadow. Continue left between two low walls to reach the provincial road, which you cross to continue on path No. 3, a beautiful mule track that runs parallel to the road. Quickly reaching the center of Oyace by walking along the main street, you return to the parking lot of the town hall.
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Last update
30 April 2025, 15:09