The Insider’s Guide to the Heart of the Italian Alps

Updated March 26, 2026 11:52AM

If you want to experience a stunning outdoor destination like a local, you need to ask one for advice. That’s why we talked to Pietro Picco about Courmayeur. The picturesque mountain town has it all—hiking, biking, climbing, and amazing food and lodging—and Picco knows it all like few others. He has a deep love for his home mountains—they’ve inspired him to climb peaks like Mont Blanc and K2. Here, get Picco’s insider perspective and advice, and learn why Courmayeur is the ultimate outdoor destination for all kinds of adventurers.

Plan Your Trip

Pietro Picco: Courmayeur is a lovely mountain town—a jewel guarded by the highest mountain in the Alps: Mont Blanc. In Courmayeur, visitors can immerse themselves in Val Ferret’s nature, find wild experience in Val Veny, or hike the trails in the ski area. Travelers can also find traditional gourmet Italian cuisine, alpine spas, and luxury stores.

Find Your Hike

What are your trail recommendations for beginner, intermediate, and advanced hikers looking to experience the beauty of Mont Blanc?

Whether you’re a new or experienced hiker, there are a variety of trails within walking distance from town to explore. Some lead to refuges—remote shelters for mountaineers and hikers—that make for a rewarding stop.

There are many shops in town that sell and rent anything and everything a hiker could possibly need: boots, poles, backpacks—you name it, they have it! You can also book a guided hike with one of the experienced outfitters. They’ll supply essential gear and teach you about the area’s geology and natural resources.

I also recommend exploring Val Veny and Val Ferret. Both of these scenic valleys are cradled by cols that border France and Switzerland and have scenic trails leading to viewpoints of the Mont Blanc massif. As you plan your visit to Courmayeur, consider one of these hikes:

Beginner

At the front of the glacier, a heart-shaped lake has formed, enclosed by its right moraine.

Intermediate

Located along the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the Col du Grand-Ferret connects the Val Ferret of Aosta Vallley with the Swiss one and offers beautiful views. Priceless view of the Pré-de-Bar glacier, the Ferret valley, the Col de la Seigne, and the border between Italy and Switzerland, you can also see the border with France at the bottom of the Val Veny.

Advanced

Recommended for experienced hikers, this alpine trail explores the Val Sapin, with magnificent views along the way.

If you want the best views of Mont Blanc, this is the perfect out-and-back trail to add to your itinerary.

Try Something New

In addition to hiking, how else can outdoor enthusiasts experience Courmayeur?

🚲 Rent mountain bikes (analog or electric) to explore the trails. At the foot of Mont Blanc, straddling the Val Veny and Chécrouit slopes, the Courmayeur Mont Blanc ski resort transforms into a Bike Area during the summer. It introduces a network of trails for mountain biking and e-biking, thanks to the opening of four lifts, the creation of fun, flow-oriented trails, and the development of a series of uphill and downhill loops specifically designed for e-bikes.

🚠 Take the Skyway cable car that climbs to 3,466 meters, offering a unique perspective of the area. From the Skyway, it’s also possible to hike on the nearby glacier by booking a trip with an experienced guide.

⛰️ Explore the various via ferratas leading to guarded huts—shelters used by mountaineers and managed by guardians in warmer seasons—and unmanned bivouacs.

🧗 Climb at the many popular crags or to alpine peaks. Guides are available for both of these activities.

There are plenty of ways to get out and explore the outdoors in Courmayeur. But if the weather turns, the Courmayeur Sport Center offers all sorts of indoor activities, including ice skating, climbing, and tennis.

Relax in Paradise

Courmayeur is one the Alps’ most attractive villages, with restaurants and bars spilling out onto the car-free center. Aperitivo, gourmet dinners, pizza, traditional Italian food—whatever you crave, it’s available here. You can enjoy it all with a spectacular view of Mont Blanc and the Alps. If you’re looking for some peace and quiet outside the center, you’ll find plenty of restaurants in Val Veny and Val Ferret. Plus, there are shops with luxury brands, sports equipment, and local souvenirs.

For travelers who want a “home away from home” experience, consider staying at the Auberge de la Maison. This alpine retreat has everything you need for a comfortable night’s rest, with each cozy room looking out on the surrounding nature. At the on-site spa, you can recharge with Secret des Alpes wellness treatments designed for post-alpine recovery, including skin brushing and mountain pasture butter massages, followed with a soak in the heated luxury pool.

There is a place where your imagination can turn into reality. Where leisure and relaxation come in all shades. A place where flavors can amaze, nature and its views can marvel. It is Courmayeur Mont Blanc, a jewel guarded by the highest mountain in the Alps: the Mont Blanc.