Holiday apartment in Pontboset: Bridges, Gorge and Traditions

Pontboset brings together striking bridges, paths through gorges, religious buildings and distinctive village stories. There are also opportunities for cycling and water sports, as well as an established autumn tradition. When choosing a holiday apartment in Pontboset, you can therefore plan your stay around the desired combination of nature experiences, activity and cultural discoveries.

Holiday apartment in Pontboset among old bridges and hiking trails

Six Romanesque-style stone bridges are one of the village’s defining features. They were originally built in the 17th century during the rule of the noble family of Bard. The Passeggiata dei sei ponti takes up this bridge theme: the short circular route offers beautiful views of Pontboset’s old bridges and rivers. Most of the bridges on the circular route can be seen from points accessible via paved roads. This makes it possible to combine different forms of orientation without equating the circular route with its individual trail characteristics.

The Ratus Gorge has a distinctly different focus. It can only be reached on foot via a hiking trail. The path follows the Ayasse and reaches a long bridge that crosses the Brenve below the gorge. This creates a clear landscape theme for your day’s planning: the river courses, bridges and gorge belong together, while access to the Ratus Gorge is explicitly tied to the hiking trail.

Wide views and distinctive village stories

From the Santuario di Retempio, there are views across large parts of the Champorcher Valley, as well as of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The sanctuary itself is a chapel dedicated to Nostra Signora della Visitazione and San Rocco. Its religious significance is also reflected in the processions: they take place on 2 July, the feast day of Nostra Signora della Visitazione, and on 16 August for the feast of San Rocco. Both begin early in the morning at the parish church and proceed to the sanctuary.

At the entrance to the hamlet of Pontboset stands the parish church of San Grato. Its altar and frescoes can be seen there. An old path made of stone steps also leads to the village of Barmelle. La Borney, in turn, is a completely abandoned village with around ten houses and an adjoining church. It is located in an area that was cleared to create grazing land. These places give Pontboset several historical and landscape perspectives, without requiring a uniform local character to be inferred for every location.

Active days with cycling, kayaking, canyoning and climbing

Pontboset also offers various options for an active trip. The Ciclovia Valle di Champorcher e Val Soana begins in the main village of Pontboset, leads to the municipality of Champorcher and opens onto Val Soana at Col Laris. Stage 23 of the Cammino Balteo runs from Pontboset via Hône, Bard and Donnas to Pont-Saint-Martin. Those wishing to compare different route ideas will therefore find both a cycling connection and a stage of the Cammino Balteo.

Kayaking is possible along the Ayasse River in Pontboset. Canyoning can be enjoyed in the waters of the Brenve River. In the village of Terrisse, there is also a climbing facility for free-climbing enthusiasts. Families or travel groups wishing to combine different interests can therefore find water and climbing activities alongside the bridge and gorge themes. Which holiday apartment or holiday home in Pontboset suits your trip depends above all on your planned daily activities and preferred focus; this does not imply any specific characteristics of individual accommodations.

Local tradition in autumn

A chestnut festival held in autumn is part of the local character. It is one of Pontboset’s established traditions and complements the nature and cultural themes with a seasonal occasion. Together with the stone bridges, religious feast days, paths to Barmelle and activities on the Ayasse and Brenve, it creates a diverse picture for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations

More destinations: Acque Fredde, Valgrisenche, Saint-Rhémy-En-Bosses, Issime, Verrand, Villeneuve, Arvier and Saint Pierre.

To the overarching travel overview: Aosta Valley.