Cogne (Gran Paradiso)

Cogne (Gran Paradiso)

Cogne is situated at 1.534 metres, at the heart of the Gran Paradiso Park, of which it is considered the “capital”. Ancient land of Salassi and important iron mining centre, it boasts a rich historical, cultural and traditional past and loves to recount and relive it through feasts, exhibitions and meetings.Coming up the road from the central valley, you are instantly hit by the incredible width of the Sant’Orso Meadow, green and gently waving in summer, a perfect, pure white in winter. The basin, protected by thick forests, at the convergence of the tributary valleys, is very large with unique sun exposure. Between the vast, bright Sant’Orso Meadow and the nordic forests of conifers and birch trees, Cogne is one of the towns reigning supreme in Valle d’Aosta cross-country skiing. The long cross-country slopes wind under the peaks of the Grivola and the Gran Paradiso for more than 70km, some of which are illuminated. International competitions are held here like the Gran Paradiso March that winds around a 45km ring.