THE BILBERRY TRAIL

MYRTILLES

The bilberry (also known as the blueberry), or myrtille, is one of our most popular mountain fruits, giving a uniquely Savoyard flavour to tarts, pancakes, ice cream or jam. Not only do they taste delicious, they are bursting with goodness. A great source of antioxidants, bilberries are also good for your eyesight and circulation. But before you go bilberry picking, make sure you learn how to tell the difference between a true myrtille and a similar species, the “bog bilberry” (Vaccinium uliginosum), which should be eaten in moderation. To tell these two species apart, look closely at the shape of their leaves and the colour of the fruit’s flesh: the true bilberry’s (Vaccinium myrtillus) leaves have serrated edges and the fruit’s flesh is blue, whereas the bog bilberry’s leaves are rounded and the fruit’s flesh is white. Bilberries can be picked around mid-August once they are ripe. Before then the fruit is not ripe or sweet enough to be eaten, despite the dark colour of the berries. The ideal time to pick bilberries is in the afternoon, when the berries have been basking in the day’s sunshine and are full of juicy goodness. Bon appétit!

ITINERARY

Starting at the Tourist Office in La Rosière, follow the road towards Italy. Go past the Maison du Ski and the Relais du Petit St Bernard hotel. When you reach the top of the drag lift, take the pathway leading down from the road. Just above the bottom of the drag lift, take the path to your right which leads through the forest. Carry on down this path, then cross the road. Keep to the lower pathway and you will come out onto the Dou de l’Envers forest trail. Turn right and go over several small streams then you will come out onto a clearing on a second ski slope. Go uphill for 50m then turn left into the forest. Continue down the path and then head up towards the Arête des Zittieux ridge. At the top of the path, you will come out onto the main RD 1090 road. Follow the road until you get to the top of the Ecudets chairlift. Cross the road and climb the slope until you get to the edge of the golf course. Head down the slope under the drag lift until you reach the bottom of the main chairlift.