Charvensod Mount Emilius

Mount Emilius is a mountain in the Aosta Valley, included in the mountainous section of the Graian Alps and clearly visible from Aosta.
This imposing and massive mountain, together with the nearby, slightly lower Becca di Nona, forms the backdrop to the town and towers unchallenged above the other Alpine peaks.
Referred to as the “panoramic balcony” of the Aosta Valley, Mount Emilius is 3559 m.a.s.l. high, and from its summit it is possible to have a striking view of all the major surrounding Aosta Valley reliefs and even of the sea to the south.

The History of Mount Emilius

The name Mount Emilius comes from the young girl Emilie Argentier who climbed the mountain in 1939.
In that year, Canon Georges Carrel brought with him the sister of mountaineer Auguste Argentier, the very young 14-year-old Emilie.
Thus the summit of Mount Emilius was renamed after the girl.
There is another curiosity: an hour before hitting the Becca di Nona, the sun grazes the summit of Mount Emilius at 10 o’clock.
Prior to Emilie Argentier’s ascent to the summit, this mountain was in fact called “Pic de dix heures,” that is, “Peak of ten o’clock.”

The Ascent to Mount Emilius

The summit of Mount Emilius (3559 m.a.s.l.) can be reached via a very steep path suitable only for experienced mountaineers with good training behind them.
The hike from Pila to the summit of Emilius takes approximately 5 hours or so and, taking into account also the return, (a stop at Rifugio Arbolle,) wedged into a mountain plain at 2510 m.a.s.l., is recommended. From here on, the comfortable traced path vanishes, giving way first to a scree and then to a long ridge leading to the summit, where a statue of Our Lady and a book where you can leave your signature will be waiting for you.