From Verrès there is a rewarding excursion (27km/17mi north) up the valley of the River Evançon, the Valle di Challand. The route goes via the summer holiday resort of Brusson (16km/10mi; 1,338m/4,415ft) in the lower part of the valley to Champoluc (11km/7mi; 1,570m/5,181ft), the principal place in the upper part of the valley, known as the Val
d'Ayas. This is also a popular summer and winter holiday resort with views of the twin mountains Castor (4,230m/13,950ft) and Pollux (4,094m/13,510ft) and the Breithorn (4,171m/13,764ft), all of them south of the Matterhorn. A cabin cableway leads up to the Crest (1,974m/6,514ft), then a chair-lift continues to 2,500m/8,250ft. Beyond Verrès the Aosta valley road passes the castle of Montjovet, then runs through the picturesque Montjovet defile, beyond which there is a first glimpse of Mont Blanc.