Val d’Aosta - Day 2 Courmayeur to Arvier(Little St. Bernard Pass) - Brody and Holly’s wheelie cool adventures- Val d’Aosta - CycleBlaze

June 5, 2025

Val d’Aosta - Day 2 Courmayeur to Arvier(Little St. Bernard Pass)

2 cols - Little St Bernard Pass and Charles Pass

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45976764?privacy_code=89hQa43MIC5gXngj6Ywchmou6d99eqpQ

Today was one of those days that will stick out forever in my mind. We climbed two famous Colles (mountain passes).

Little St. Bernard (Piccolo San Bernardo) pass is an iconic scenic pass that was in at least 4 Tour de France rides starting in 1949 and numerous Giros. It was 14 miles, 4000’ up to 7178’ with at least 26 hairpin turns. Sadly we got hit with some heavy rain for a few miles but dried out quickly. It’s in the Alps on the Italian France border. We passed at least 2 ski lifts/gondolas on the way up. It dates back to Roman times and they’ve found artifacts as old as 500 bc. It’s believed Hannibal used this route. We saw marmots and a donkey and had the funniest experience when a sheep dog actually passed me galloping happily uphill to its owners on my left! We heard cowbells and gurgling rivers all day long as well as birds. Some Fancy sport cars passed by as well as motorcycles to enjoy the hairpin pass. There was a gorgeous alpine lake in the snow that made me smile. Then again, I was grinning all day long full of gratitude to be healthy enough to do this amazing pass. 

It was windy and I got pretty cold on the descent and drank about 6 cups of hot tea before we tackled the 2nd climb,

Ominous looking for a while.
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….more water falling.
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Seems there’s always a tunnel.
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Holly showing me how it’s done.
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Holly cranking up hill.
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Down in to the valley.
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Holly with the St. Bernard.
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Colle cat.
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Infrastructure.
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More mountains!
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Mountains upon mountains.
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Lots of waterfalls.
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Colle San Carlos (Charles) which for us was 4.4 miles/1646’ with average grade over 7.5% and 30 hairpin turns! The steepness got a bit unforgiving in the middle. The scenery was so different and just stunning with wildflower fields and the rock mountainsides so different and maybe 1 car passed us! 
Afterwards, a steep descent then a lovely generally downhill ride to the hotel with a glacial fed river nearby and amazing waterfalls. I’m still grinning!!

Out of Courmayeur
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Gave me chills
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Gorgeous scenery
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Sounds of cowbells all day
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Sounds of water falls and rushing creeks all day too
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A partial tunnel
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Holly climbing
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Holly still climbing
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And still climbing
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Top of Little St Bernard!
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Entrance to France!
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Top of Petite Saint Bernard Pass or Piccolo San Bernardo depending on which side you came from
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Downhill view
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Top of 2nd pass
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This valley view!
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Today's ride: 45 miles (72 km)
Total: 319 miles (513 km)

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