45.49° N · 7.14° E · Gran Paradiso
At the end of the Ceresole Reale road, past Lake Serrù, an alpine plain opens up with a torrent winding among pastures, at about 2,400 m. In summer the last stretch is regulated: 350 vehicles a day with a €10 Nivolet Card and free shuttles. From Valsavarenche you can walk up in 2 h 30.
Part of Gran ParadisoAlps
Step by step
If you go up by car or motorbike on the regulated days, buy the €10 card at nivoletcard.pngp.it. If you prefer not to drive, book the free shuttle from Locana on the same portal: booking is compulsory.
The final stretch of the SP50, from Lake Serrù to the plain, is the one that is regulated. From the Chiapili and Serrù car parks free direct shuttles also leave, without booking, until full.
Path 3 from Pont Valsavarenche (1,952 m), 448 m of ascent and difficulty E, with the waterfall of the Nivolet torrent and summer pastures.
Stroll beside the torrent, at about 2,400 m. It is easy to see marmots and chamois.
The Nivolet is the point where Piedmont and the Aosta Valley meet inside the park. You can reach it from two sides: by car or shuttle along the SP50 from Ceresole Reale, in Piedmont, or on foot from Pont, at the end of Valsavarenche.
The Piani del Nivolet are an alpine plain at about 2,400 m, in the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park. After climbing between rock walls, the valley suddenly opens and a clear torrent appears, drawing slow meanders among summer pastures. It is easy to see marmots and chamois. It is one of the most visited landscapes in the park, and for that reason since 2025 car access has been regulated in summer.
The final stretch of the SP50, from Lake Serrù to the plain, is regulated on the busiest days. In 2026, the second year of the measure:
According to the park, in the first season traffic fell by more than 40% compared with 2024. Outside the regulated days you go up without a card, as long as the road is open: it is a high-mountain road and opens when the snow goes. The 2027 conditions will be published on the park's website.
If you don't want to drive the winding road or depend on the quota, it is the simplest option.
From the Aosta Valley side, path 3 leaves Pont Valsavarenche (1,952 m) towards the Croce Arolley and the Piani del Nivolet: 448 m of ascent and about 2 h 30, difficulty E, hiking. On the way you see the waterfall of the Nivolet torrent, summer pastures and the vegetation of the rocks. The 3-3a variant leads to Pian Borgno. With a dog, the stretch from Pont to the Croix de la Rolley as far as the Chivasso hut is allowed from 15 July to 15 September.
Pont is at the end of Valsavarenche, the same road as the Orvieille hunting lodge.
Stroll along the bank of the torrent and among the meanders; respect the pastures and the wildlife, which is the reason for the regulation. Bring food and water. Allow about four hours for the whole: climb, walk and descent.
If you go up from Ceresole, on the same road the path to the Jervis hut starts, from Chiapili Inferiore.
Who it's for
What to bring
More to do
Tips
The Locana ones are free with booking, and those from Chiapili and Serrù are free until full.
On weekdays in early July and in September, except the first two weekends, no Nivolet Card is needed. Check beforehand that the road is open.
The quota is 350 vehicles a day; if you forget, at Chiapili Inferiore there is free wifi to buy it.
Questions
On the regulated days, yes: in 2026 the Nivolet Card cost €10 per vehicle, motorbikes included, with a quota of 350 a day. The shuttles are free.
In 2026, from 4 July every weekend in July; from 27 July to 30 August, every day; and the first two weekends in September.
Yes, from Pont Valsavarenche: 2 h 30 and 448 m of ascent on path 3.
On the path from Pont, yes, from 15 July to 15 September, as far as the Chivasso hut.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/aosta-valley/gran-paradiso/things-to-do/nivolet-plateau
