How to Get to Chamois: Cable Car, Trail and Parking
Find out how to reach Chamois by cable car or on foot, where to park, how much the cable car costs and which route to choose. Chamois is the only Italian municipality without cars
Chamois is Italy's only car-free town. You can't drive there. Once you reach the valley, take a cable car or walk up one of the trails.
Most visitors find the cable car easiest. But if you have time, walking can be a nice experience.
Getting to Chamois by Cable Car
Most people choose the cable car from Buisson to Chamois. The ride takes about five minutes. It quickly takes you from the valley to a car-free village where you walk everywhere.
There's a secure parking lot right by the cable car station. It's convenient for drivers and costs about 3 euros per day.
Cable car prices are:
3.50 € one way;
5.50 € round trip (7 € in some summer periods);
pets: 2 € one way and 3 € round trip;
children up to 8 years: free.
In summer weekends, the cable car is busy. Arrive early to find parking easily and avoid lines.
Walking from La Magdeleine
If you prefer walking, take trail no. 107 from La Magdeleine. It's easy, well-marked, and great for families with kids.
Trail features include:
length: about 4.5 km one way;
duration: about 1 hour;
elevation gain: about 100 meters.
The trail is also called Sentiero dell'Energia. Along the way, there are about twenty educational panels. They explain energy production and use in a fun way. There are also games and installations about the four natural elements: water, sun, earth, and fire. Kids love the double funicular that lets them "fly" for about twenty meters and the small volcano to climb. This makes the journey part of the adventure, not just a way to reach Chamois.
To start the trail, go through La Magdeleine's center. Pass the church and continue to the Vieu area. Follow signs to Chamois. But here's an important detail: after the first curves, you'll see a lower path. That's not the recommended one. Keep going until you reach the farm road. From there, the Sentiero dell'Energia begins.
If you have more time, you can take a short detour. Visit the Big Bench of Col Pilaz or head to the Champlong Lakes.
Personally, I'd choose the cable car. The ride takes just a few minutes. It gets you to Chamois easily, saving energy for a walk I think is better: the one to Lago di Lod. This way, you can calmly explore the village, reach the lake, and enjoy the day without the climb from La Magdeleine.
Where to park
If you take the cable car to Chamois, the guarded parking in front of Buisson station is the most convenient option.
If you're hiking the Sentiero dell'Energia from La Magdeleine, you can park in the paid lot near the trail's start. EasyPark payment is available there.
If you want to save money, use the free parking in Vieu. But expect an extra 15-20 minute walk to the trail's start.
Even here, during summer weekends, it's best to arrive early. Spots fill up quickly.
Summer taxi-bus
If you're staying a few days in Chamois or nearby towns and prefer to leave your car parked, there's a summer taxi-bus service. It connects Châtillon, Antey-Saint-André, La Magdeleine, and Chamois.
The service runs from June 27 to August 31, and also on September 5 and 6, with several trips throughout the day.
The fares are:
1 € for trips within the same town;
1 € extra for each town crossed;
free for children up to 8 years old.
