Ru Marseiller
An almost level path that follows an old irrigation channel, contouring the slopes above the central valley through woods, villages and meadows.
- Difficulty
- T Tourist
- Length
- 11.5 km
- Elevation gain
- +510 m / −440 m
- Time
- 3–3.5 hours
- Route
- Point to point
- Altitude
- 769–960 m
- Season
- Spring Summer Autumn
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The story
The rû are irrigation channels that since the Middle Ages have carried stream water to the driest slopes of the central valley, among the driest in the Alps. Dug by hand for kilometres, they are still run by landowners' associations, and the maintenance paths alongside them have become walking routes.
Why go
Because it tells the story of another Aosta Valley, of the farmers who brought water where there was none, and it is one of the few hikes that are comfortable in spring and autumn too.
Practical information
- Start
- Verrayes
- Finish
- Torgnon
- Best time
- April–November
- Parking
- Small car parks at both ends.
- By public transport
- Local buses to Verrayes and Torgnon from the central valley, with few runs.
- Water
- Fountains in the villages.
- Shade
- Alternating woods and meadows.
- Huts and refreshments
- None: cafés in the villages.
- With children
- Yes: almost flat, ideal with children.
Weather at the start
The forecast for the next 7 days at this spot: sky, temperatures, rain and wind.
Forecast by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), from the models of national weather services. Your browser downloads it directly from Open-Meteo, and only when you ask. In the mountains and at sea the weather changes quickly: check the official forecast as well before you set off.
What to see on the route and nearby
More hikes in Aosta Valley
- 1Rifugio Vittorio Sella from ValnonteyE 10.1 km · +900 m · 5–6 hours · out and back
- 2★ Lago di Loie from LillazE 7.1 km · +810 m · 4 hours · out and back
- 3Rifugio Bonatti in Val FerretE 2.9 km · +320 m · 2–2.5 hours · out and back
- 5★ Lago di Miserin and Finestra di ChamporcherE 13 km · +720 m · 4–5 hours · out and back
- 6★ On foot to Chamois, the car-free villageE 4.9 km · +460 m · 2.5 hours · point to point
- 7★ Rifugio Oriondé and Croce CarrelEE 9.5 km · +880 m · 5 hours · out and back
- 8Rutor Waterfalls and Rifugio Deffeyes from La ThuileE 10.4 km · +880 m · 5–5.5 hours round trip · out and back
- 9Lago Blu, the Matterhorn's mirrorT 3.3 km · +20 m · 1 hour round trip · out and back
- 10Rifugio Elisabetta and Lac Combal in Val VenyE 12.4 km · +560 m · 4.5–5 hours round trip · out and back
- 11★ Lago d'Arpy from Colle San CarloT 6.4 km · +130 m · 1.5–2 hours round trip · out and back
Routes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), via Waymarked Trails and BRouter; elevations from a digital terrain model. Times and elevation gains are indicative: waymarks on the ground and closure orders always take precedence.