Visit Trekking Gold Mine
The Chamousira Fenilliaz mine is the most important gold mine in the Aosta Valley.
The discovery of the Brusson gold mine dates back to 1899; it was active from 1900 until the late 1980s. This deposit was exploited with some success by the British company "The Evançon Gold Mining Company Limited" between 1903 and 1906. The exploration permit later passed to the Italian Rivetti family, which, however, had less luck.
In the company of a specialized Environmental Hiking Guide you will set off on a special and unique tour that will unveil not only the underground parts, but also lead you to discover the traces of mining activity hidden in the surrounding woods.
The guided tour starts from the village of La Croix to approach the mining site from above, observing geological aspects, landscapes and traces of the ancient exploitation for gold mining. Unmissable stages of the approach to the mining site are the mouth of the Big Well, the entrances of the higher levels that cannot be visited today, the rocky outcrops, and the top of the cliff from which there is a breathtaking view of Brusson and the Ayas Valley. The itinerary concludes with an underground visit to the gallery Level 7.
The tour start time is understood to be in front of the ticket office at the mine, which is about a 20-minute walk on an up-and-down trail from the parking lot where you need to leave your car: please consider the timing to arrive on time.
We recommend footwear, equipment and clothing suitable for cold weather, even in summer: the temperature inside the mine is around 8° throughout the year. For safety reasons, the guides may consider banning visitors without appropriate clothing.
Helmet, which is mandatory, will be provided on site.
The trail is not accessible to the disabled.
For safety reasons, animals are not allowed on the tours.
How to get there:
From the main town of Brusson take the road to Estoul by car. After 4 km, you will encounter a first signposted pedestrian access that, in a twenty-minute walk, leads to the mine entrance.
Alternatively, continuing further along the same road for another 2 km, at the height of the village of Gollie you will encounter another sign indicating a second pedestrian path.