Aosta Valley - Aosta Valley

With a surface area of just 3,266 km - 1% of Italian soil - Aosta Valley is the smallest region in the bel paese . Shaped by ancient glaciers and encircled by some of Europe's highest mountains, Aosta Valley is also a typically alpine region, with over a third of it lying at an altitude of over 2,600 metres. Sheer rock faces, lofty peaks and rugged terrain make the region ideal for those seeking to push themselves to the limit and enjoy a range of exciting sports : top-class mountaineering, climbing, trekking, skiing, rafting, canyoning and downhill skiing can all be practised here. There's more to the region, however, than sporting challenges and pleasant walking and cycling routes for outdoor types who prefer to take it easy, and Aosta Valley is sure to win over the more contemplative visitor too, with its magnificent landscapes and its enviable natural heritage: it is here, in fact, that the first national park in Italy was created, and almost a third of the region is protected in order to safeguard the significant level of biodiversity.