Places
Hike·Moderate·Scenic·Hidden gem
Monte Avic Natural Park — Serpentine Plateau
Aosta Valley
Monte Avic Natural Park protects the largest serpentinite massif in the Western Alps — the ultramafic rock creates toxic soils (high nickel and chromium) that have forced evolution of endemic plant species found nowhere else. The plateau at 2,300 m is covered in heath and bog vegetation unlike anything in the surrounding limestone Alps. The park is also the wolf recovery corridor for the western Aosta Valley.
Duration
4 hours
Distance
10 km
Elevation
+700 m
Best season
July – September
Highlights
- Only serpentinite mountain park in the Alps
- Endemic plants evolved for toxic ultramafic soils
- Wolf recovery corridor for western Aosta Valley
With your dog
Rocky mountain trail; dogs off-leash.
