Villa Lake Nature Reserve: magic and mystery in the Aosta Valley

The Villa Lake Nature Reserve unveils itself, between the municipalities of Challand-Saint-Victor and Montjovet, as a jewel of peace and beauty, nestled in a wooded basin of glacial origin in the heart of the Aosta Valley. This Reserve has earned the title of "Italian Wonder" for its pristine beauty and covers about 25 hectares.

Given the surrounding arid mountain environment, one would not expect to find a low-mountain lake-peat basin, surrounded by dense reeds. But Lake Villa is not just this; it is a cradle of ancient legends and myths. A local legend tells of a dragon that, at night, would emerge from the waters to play with a golden ball, until a cunning farmer defeated it with a spiked barrel, claiming the treasure. The magic around the lake is therefore palpable and goes hand in hand with the history immortalized in the "Challand Art" route, an open-air museum along trail 11 towards Col d'Arlaz, where 14 works of art created with natural materials—earth, leaves, wood, stones, and iron—merge with the woods, offering a unique Land Art experience. Nearby, it is possible to visit the ruins of Villa Castle, commissioned by the noble Challant family before 1300.

The main path is wonderful and paved, also suitable for people with disabilities, and leads to the lake in about 10-15 minutes from Villa Nabian, along the regional road 45. The trails are ideal for families and light trekking enthusiasts, with panoramic views of the Mont de Saint-Gilles. The reserve is an oasis of tranquility in every season, but autumn, with its warm colors, makes it particularly evocative. Easily accessible from Verrès, Lake Villa is an invitation to discover an authentic Aosta Valley, where nature, art, and legends intertwine.

Cover photo credit Valle d'Aosta