Mont Zerbion

Mont Zerbion rises to 2,722 metres, between the Ayas valley, the lower Valtournenche and the central valley. It stands where three municipalities meet: Châtillon, Ayas and Saint-Vincent. Its east side drops in a steep wall to the forest. To the west, by contrast, long grassy slopes run down towards Châtillon. On the summit, a large white statue of the Virgin can be seen from far away.

The Madonna of the Zerbion

The statue was put up in the early 1930s, thanks to donations from the families of soldiers of the First World War. It was carried up by mule, then raised on a base about eight metres high. Since then it has been part of the mountain: people say “the Madonna” as often as “the Zerbion”.

Every summer, in August, a festival is held in honour of the Madonna of the Zerbion. A procession climbs towards the summit. The path is marked by stations, like a Way of the Cross in the mountains.

Two ways up

The best-known path starts from Promiod, a hamlet of Châtillon at almost 1,500 metres. It follows the long west ridge, in two and a half to three hours, with about 1,250 metres of ascent. A few junctions are poorly signposted and some sections are steep.

The other route starts from Barmasc, above Antagnod, in the Ayas valley. It climbs to the Col de Portola, at 2,410 metres, then reaches the summit by the north ridge. Allow between two and three hours. The end is steeper, with some slightly exposed sections on crumbling ground.

In summer, neither route is technical. In winter, however, the Zerbion becomes a ski-touring or snowshoe outing that requires experience and a good understanding of avalanche risk.

A summit to start with

The Zerbion is a great classic. For many people in the Aosta Valley, it is the first real summit they climb on foot. The view rewards the effort: Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn and Gran Paradiso can all be seen on a clear day.

Getting there

Ayas-Champoluc tourist office
Via Varasc, 16
Champoluc, Ayas (AO)
+39 0125 307113 · lovevda.it

Start from Promiod, above Châtillon, or from Barmasc, above Antagnod. It is a walk for fit walkers, with no mountaineering equipment needed in summer, but with mountain boots and settled weather.