Gimillan from Aymavilles

At the end of Val di Cogne, one of the side valleys of the wide Aosta Valley,Gimillan is one of the 3 possible final destinations I cycled up in September 2023.
Long climb in the side valley starts in Aymavilles where you climb directly out of the town via a few hairpin bends firmly (5km - avg.7 ％) followed by slightly winding climbing through the forest lined by rock massifs. A short downhill through a gorge to cross the river followed by a second short portion of climbing (8％). Afterwards the valley opens up again and you cycle on a wide road slightly uphill with slight curves and a dozen tunnels and galleries along the river to the namesake of the valley : Cogne.
Before Gimillan, at 1821m. the highest asphalt finish of the valley, you cycle all the way through the tourist village on cobblestones.
After the roundabout, you climb left via 4 hairpin bends firmly up the mountainside with hardly any traffic, so that Cogne sinks below you. Formidable views of the National Park peaks fall to you, before cycling into the final village via the Cappella di Saint Pantaleon with its water source. A little further on, the tarmac stops.

Highest and most climbing of the 3 endpoints of a long (sometimes busy) route through the beautiful mountain landscape of Val di Cogne.

A climb that is well worth it for the environment in which it takes place, a typical route in the Valle d'Aosta area, with the steepest section at the start to enter the valley and then gradually becoming pedalable. It climbs again between Cogne and Gimillan, to offer a finale worthy of the marvellous views by which it is surrounded.