gran paradiso tour

Gran Paradiso Hiking Tours

7 days self-guided hiking in the italian alps.

Gran Paradiso Hiking Self-Guided Tours

Gran paradise trek overview.

Discover the heart of the Italian Alps: Gran Paradiso National Park. Nestled between the iconic Mont-Blanc and Mont-Rose, this breathtaking region boasts soaring peaks like the Grand Paradis at 4,061m (13,323.49 ft) and enchanting valleys echoing with rich Aosta Valley traditions.

Trace a journey steeped in history, from Celtic origins and Roman influence to the noble House of Savoy. Experience Italy’s first national park, a sanctuary born from Europe’s earliest wildlife protection efforts and home to the majestic Ibex.

You’ll embrace seven or eight (depending on which tour you choose) exhilarating days, sometimes following the famed Alta Via 2, journeying from Valgrisenche to Val de Cogne.

Prepare for challenging ascents reaching up to 3,300m (10,826.77 ft) and immerse yourself in the pristine alpine landscapes: larch forests, mesmerizing mountain lakes, and vibrant meadows following marked trails to guide your adventure. 

 Step into Mountain Majesty; book your self-guided trek today!

COMPARISON OF GRAN PARADISO 7- DAY IN PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION VS. 7-DAY TRAVERSE

We’ve created two routes to appeal to hikers who want more creature comforts and the ability to modify.

• Both routes have 7 days of hiking. 5 days are different and 2 days are the same.

On the 7-day Gran Paradiso Traverse, there are no variants or rest days, so it’s not easy to modify.

• On the 7-Day Paradiso Traverse, you’ll be hiking closer to glaciers and moraines so the terrain is rockier and the hiking is more strenuous. The paths are marked, but not as well as on the Private Accommodation itinerary.
• On the private accommodation tour, you’ll sleep at lower elevations in private accommodation (except for one night) so you may have a more restorative sleep. You’ll also have your own private bathroom (except for one night). 

7-DAY PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION ITINERARY

Day 1: Hike From Valgrisenche – Col de l’Epée – Rhême-Notre-Dame

Today is an exciting day. From the village of Valgrisenche, you’ll hike to the Church of St-Joseph above the village and start a long ascent on the Alta Via N°2 route, which passes by the refuge of the “Sword” where you can stop for a refreshment.

The ascent is very gradual and continues in the alpine vistas up to the scree of the Col Fenêtre (2875m / 9,432.42 ft). Dominated by the imposing Ruitor glaciers, Valgrisenche offers spectacular views, where you can stop and enjoy the rewards of your uphill hike.

From the Col Fenêtre, it’s a fast and steep descent into the Val di Rhême. You’ll spend the night in the serene village of Rhême Notre Dame, nestled among towering peaks.

• Hiking Details: ~ 15km (9.32miles), 1280m (4199.47 ft) ascent, 1175m (3854.98 ft) descent
• Night: village of Rhême Notre Dame
• Included: Breakfast and dinner 

Day 2: Hike From Rhême Notre Dame – Plateau de Bénévolo – Rhême Notre Dame

Today, you’ll take a short bus ride to start hiking at Thumel, the hamlet that marks the end of the road, deep into the Gran Paradiso National Park. You’ll first hike on a wide trail that leads to a beautiful alpine valley. You’ll continue hiking to Benevolo Hut, where you can stop for a refreshment before continuing up into a “Dead End” alpine valley.

Hiking around Mount Truc de Tsanteleina provides a spectacular view. It almost seems like you can reach out and touch the glaciers with the vertical wall of the Granta Parei (11 110ft / 3,386.33m) proudly standing in front of you. Then you’ll hike back down to Thumel and take the shuttle bus back to the village of Rhême Notre Dame, where you’ll spend the night.

• Hiking Details : ~16km (9.94miles), 1050m (3444.88 ft) ascent, 995m (3264.44 ft) descent

Day 3: Hike From Rhême Notre Dame – Col de l’Entrelor – Eaux-Rousses

Today, you’ll continue hiking on the trail following  Alta Via N°2. After crossing the “Doire de Rhême” the path climbs into the forest and joins the Entrelor mountain pastures. You’ll hike up the Entrelor Valley to reach the eponymous pass located at 3007 meters (9,865.49 ft) above sea level. From this point, the main chain of Gran Paradiso, you’re treated to an incredible view!

Then, you’ll begin a long descent into the Valsavarenche, but there are a few lakes that make for great rest stops and the mountain pastures of Djouan.

You’ll spend the night in the hamlet of Eaux-Rousses, where pristine alpine waters converge with ancient stone streets, offering an untouched retreat from the modern world.

• Hiking Details: ~15km (9.32miles), 1280m (4199.47 ft) ascent, 1330m (4363.52 ft) descent
• Night: Hamlet of Eaux-Rousses.
• Inclusions: Breakfast and dinner

Day 4: Hike From Eaux-Rousses – Refuge F.Chabod – Pont – Eaux-Rousses

You’ll reach the starting point with a quick 10-minute transfer to take you to the Praviou Damon bus stop, where you’ll start hiking. The trail begins gently on switchbacks through a conifer forest, eventually rising up above the trees into open meadows of colorful wildflowers and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks.

You’ll reach  Rifugio Chabod (2750 m / 9,022.31 ft), which makes a great stop for lunch, then you’ll traverse along a high path that meanders over rocky terrain and alpine grassland beneath the moraines of the Gran Paradiso Glacier.

Along the way, keep an eye out for whistling marmots, chamois, and golden eagles.

You’ll then descend to the valley floor at Pont’s hamlet and return to the hotel in Eaux Rousses by shuttle bus.

• Hiking Details: ~16km (9.94miles) / 1170m (3838.58 ft) ascent – 1040m (3412.07 ft) descent
• Night: Eaux-Rousses

Day 5: Hike From Eaux-Rousses – Col du Lauson – Ref V. Sella

Today is a long day, so we recommend an early start. Directly from Eaux-Rousses, you’ll get back on the “Alta Via N°2” hiking trail to the alpine plateau of Levionnaz and Lauson Pass (3296m / 10,813.65 ft). It is the highest non-glacier pass in Gran Paradiso National Park!

Then, you’ll hike down a steep rocky section, a favourite spot for ibex, so keep your eyes peeled to reach the grassy alpine meadows, a favourite spot of chamois.

Soon after, you’ll reach Vittorio Sella Hut (2584m / 8,477.69 ft), where you’ll spend the night.  

This is the longest climb of your Gran Paradiso hike, but it’s done on a very pleasant, winding, gradual trail. The elevation is indeed significant, but the effort is quite manageable.

• Hiking Details: 17km (10.56miles), 1665m (5462.6 ft) ascent, 755m (2477.03 ft) descent
• Night: Rifugio Vittorio Sella

Note: Even though there is a lot of elevation gain on today’s hike, it’s gradual. Locals even do this path with their bikes (not e-bikes, proper bikes)!

This hike is VERY beautiful. We also have an easy alternative hike for Day 5 if you want to rest the day before doing this long ascent.

Day 6: Hike From Ref V. Sella – Herbetet – Valnontey – Cogne

Today, you’ll hike on an impressive balcony route leading you to the bottom of the Herbetet Cirque near the eastern slope of the Grand Paradiso.

It’s a vast glacial cirque home to many glaciers and the major peaks of Valnontey. The descent reaches the eponymous hamlet of Valnontey. There’s a free shuttle bus from Valnontey to take you to the superb village of Cogne, where you’ll spend the night. 

• Hiking Details: 14km (8.69miles), 160m (524.93 ft) ascent, 1070m (3510.5 ft) descent
• Night: village of Cogne
• Inclusions: Breakfast

Day 7: Hike From Cogne – Lac de loie – Cogne (optional)

You’ll take a bus from Cogne to Lillaz, where you’ll start hiking. The trail cuts across a larch forest and then takes you to the Bardonney alpine valley. In this wild grazing pasture, time seems to have stopped. A short climb leads to a perfect viewpoint, and the panorama looks just like a postcard! 

The trail continues across the hillside to Lac de Loie (7 720 ft / 2,353.056m), from where you can admire Mont Blanc… towering high in the distance!

On the way back down to the village, you’ll come across the spectacular Lillaz waterfall. A free shuttle bus takes you back to Cogne.

• Hiking Details: ~12km (7.46miles), 870m (2854.33 ft) ascent, 870m (2854.33 ft) descent

TOUR INFO: THE GRAN PARADISO 7-DAY TOUR IN PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION

€1270 per person b ased on 2 people sharing a double room.

6 nights of accommodation: 5 nights in private accommodation (2 nights in a basic hotel,  3 nights in a 3-star hotel) + 1 night in dormitory-style accommodation

Meals: 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners (not included in Cogne)

Travel information: roadbook, GPS tracks, one map

Assistance from our team on site

Not Included : 

Repatriation (mandatory) and cancellation (highly recommended) insurance. We recommend Hey Mondo

Accommodation the night before your trip and on the last day of your trip

Dinner on Day 6

Transfers throughout the trip and transfers to Valgrisenche and from Cogne. 

Lunches, snacks and personal expenses 

Everything not indicated in the “included” section

GRAN PARADISO HIKING TOUR DIFFICULTY

This 7-day hike is comparable to the Haute Route and more difficult than the Tour du Mont Blanc if you hike as indicated above.

However, there are alternative routes, and you have the option of not hiking on 2 days since you’re staying in the same accommodation, so it can be modified to make it easier.

We’re proud to partner with THE best local hiking company, Nuyama, located in Chamonix, France, to bring you an incredible Gran Paradiso hiking trip.

They’ll answer all your questions and you’ll book your trip with them, through their secure booking system and they’ll handle all your tour logistics, trip details, and are there for you if you have questions while you’re on your tour! 

They’re some of the most knowledgeable people about the Gran Paradiso planning your epic tour.  Of course, I’m also here to help if you need anything. 

7-DAY TRAVERSE (DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION)

Day 1: Hike From Usellières hamlet – Refuge de l’Epée

The hike begins at the hamlet of Usellières in Valgrisenche. The path climbs through a beautiful forest of Arolle pines to reach the first alpine pastures. The Refuge de l’Épée is located beyond the forest in the first alpine pastures.

Optional: For those wishing to walk further, it is possible to make a round trip of the gorgeous Fenêtre Valley.

• Hiking Details: 4.5 km (2.8miles), 585m (1919.29 ft) ascent
• Accommodation: Refuge de l’Épée
• Inclusions : Dinner

Day 2: Hike From Refuge de l’Epée – Refuge Mario Bezzi

Today you’ll hike the famed Alta Via 2, a high glacial route leading to Mario Bezzi Hut, taking alternating small ascents and rare descents.

We recommend taking a detour to the gorgeous Lac de St Martin, above Mont Vaudet, before descending to Mario Bezzi Hut (2284m / 7,493.44 ft).

• Hiking Details: 12 km (7.46miles) | Elevation: 780m (2559.06 ft) ascent / 870m (2854.33 ft) descent
• Accommodation: Mario Bezzi Hut

Day 3: Hike From Refuge Mario Bezzi – Val di Rhêmes

Today, your trail leads to the Col de Bassac Déré (3082m / 10,111.55 ft) and, if you feel like it, to the Bec de la Traversière (3337m / 10,948.16 ft), a splendid lookout point. From here, you’ll get views of the Vanoise, Mont Blanc, and the Swiss Alps, including the Matterhorn, for a unique stunning view. 

Your descent leads to the Benevolo Refuge in the Val di Rhêmes (2285m).

• Hiking Details: 10.5 km (6.52miles) | Elevation: 860m (2821.52 ft) ascent / 850m (2788.71 ft) descent
• Accommodation: Benevolo Refuge 

Day 4: Hike From Val di Rhêmes – Refuge Savoia

Today, you’ll hike up the Vallon della Gran Vaudala to reach the Col Rosset. You’ll hike in colorful alpine meadows mixed with black and gray scree clinging to the steep slopes. The Col passage is magnificent!

You’ll appreciate the gentle plateaus with their shimmering high-altitude lakes, making for perfect rest stops. The Savoia Refuge (2592m / 8,503.94 ft), named after the last king of Savoy, Victor Emmanuel, is located on the Col du Nivolet in the Valsavarenche.

• Hiking Details: 10 km (6.21miles) | Elevation: 890m (2919.95 ft) ascent / 645m (2116.14 ft) descent
• Accommodation: Savoia Refuge

Day 5: Hike From Refuge Savoia – Eaux rousses

From the Savoia Refuge, you’ll hike a long traverse towards the Meyes Valley and the Col della Manto (2795m / 9,169.95 ft), leading you to the Entrelor Valley and to the stunning Lake Djouan.

It’s a majestic traverse opposite the Gran Paradiso and the Pointe de la Grivola. You’ll descend into the valley floor, where you’ll reach the hamlet of Les Eaux Rousses. 

Hiking Details: 20 km (12.43miles) | Elevation: 690m (2263.78 ft) ascent / 1550m (3772.97 ft) descent

Accommodation: Les Eaux Rousses

Day 6: Hike From Eaux Rousses – Refuge Vittorio Sella

Today is a long day, so we recommend an early start. Directly from Eaux-Rousses, you’ll get back on the “Alta Via N°2” hiking trail to the alpine plateau of Levionnaz and Lauson Pass (3296m / 10,813.65 ft). It is the highest non-glacier pass available to hikers in the Gran Paradiso National Park!

• Hiking Details: 17km (10.56miles) | Elevation:  1665m (5462.6 ft) ascent, 755m (2477.03 ft) descent

This hike is VERY beautiful.

Day 7: Hike From Refuge Vittorio Sella – Cogne

• Hiking Details: 14km (8.7miles), 160m (524.93 ft) ascent, 1070m (3510.5 ft) descent
• Accommodation: Not included 

TOUR INFO: THE GRAN PARADISO 7-DAY TRAVERSE IN DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION

€919 per person

Included / Not Included

6 nights of Accommodation: 5 nights in dormitory-style accommodation and 1 night in private accommodation in a 3-star hotel

Meals: 6 breakfasts and 5 dinners

Assistance from our team on-site

Accommodation the day before your trip starts and the last day of your trip. 

Transfers throughout the trip and transfers to Usellières, Valgrisenche and from Cogne. 

Anything not mentioned in the “included” section.

PHOTOS OF THE GRAN PARADISO TOUR

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The Gran Paradiso Hiking Tour 5 days trekking trip

• Hiking in the Alps

Hiking in Italy

Grand Paradiso Hiking Tour

Technical lev. : 3 / 5

DIFFICULT MOUNTAIN WALKING The hike has dizzying, physical and technical passages, the path is sometimes equipped with cables and ladders to allow progress. You must master the activity, you are autonomous in the mountain in the easy passages, the guide will help you in the difficult passages. You will learn about the weather and how to use a mountain rope to help you progress. Maximum 10 clients per guide.

Physical lev. : 4 / 5

SPORT TRAINED Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day. You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.

5 days & 4 nights

• Participants : min 4 max 10
• All inclusive in Mountain Hut

Discover the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy, a trekking trip that will not disappoint you. A great adventure trip to discover some wild hiking itineraries!

The highlights of the hiking trip

. Small groups, maximum 10 people; . Stunning panoramas guaranteed and a wild itinerary; . Hiking at the feet of the Gran Paradiso 4061mt ! . Discovery of the Gran Paradiso National Park, one of the oldest in Europe; . Italian style welcome in mountain huts well known for their cuisine and warm atmosphere.

Dates & Prices

Useful Info

* Price per person (without insurance)

Trekking in the Gran Paradiso National Park:

This trekking holiday will allow you to discover the glacial world and carrying out an itinerant hiking trip, the Valle d'Aosta is one of the most beautiful outdoor destinations in the Alps. The trip takes place in the Gran Paradiso National Park, which was the first reserve created in Europe by King Victor Emmanuel. The Gran Paradiso tour is one of the most beautiful hiking tours in Italy, just a few hours from Chamonix, France. The Gran Paradiso climb is one of the easiest 4000m summits in the Alps and the weather is often good! It is the largest reserve in Europe with the Vanoise National Park.

Discover the Gran Paradiso massif in Italy:

The Gran Paradiso massif is in the Val d'Aosta, it is an autonomous region in Italy, the locals speak French fluently with a charming little accent, it's handy to communicate with people. Valle d'Aosta is surrounded by 4000 summits such as Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Grand Combin, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso. The Gran Paradiso massif extends into the Val de Rhêmes, the Cogne valley and several valleys in the Piedmont.

Gran Paradiso hiking Tour and climbing programme

Day 1  chamonix - valsavarenche - refuge savoia.

Vertical drop:  + 1000 m and - 450 m; about 10 km Walking time: 5 to 6 hours Night in mountain hut

Meeting point : 9.00 am in front of the Chamonix train station. Your guide will be there to welcome you and give you a short briefing. Departure by minibus from Chamonix station to the starting point of the trek in the village of Pont, in the Valsavarenche valley. We arrive in Valsavarenche after a two hours drive. We are at the feet of Gran Paradiso (4061 meters). The trek starts with the ascent of the Gran Collet, we walk in front of the Gran Paradiso glaciers, the peaks of Tresenta and Ciarforon are stunning in front of us. At the top of the pass we may have the chance to see ibexes. The walk up is quite fast, the path is quite steep with a few small technical passages. We will eat at the pass to enjoy the view. The descent is then quite fast to the Nivolet plateau, we walk along a small river before arriving at the Nivolet lake and the refuge.

DAY 2  SAVOIA REFUGE - COL LEYNIR - ENTRELOR

Vertical drop:  + 1000 m and - 1400 m; about 16 km Walking time:  7 to 8 hours approx. Night in a refuge

We leave the refuge in the early morning to reach the magnificent Rosset and Leyta lakes. We take a small path with some technical passages to reach the Leynir pass. The view on the Gran Paradiso is magnificent! In the beginning of the season, we may have to walk down on a snowfield, while further on in summer we will cross the Rosset pass to reach the Rhêmes Notre Dames valley. The trails are very wild with some off-path sections, perfect to get you going before the Gran Paradiso climb. We will sleep in a beautiful little mountain village, in a newly renovated refuge.

DAY 3  ENTRELOR - COL D'ENTRELOR - VALSAVARENCHE

Vertical drop:  + 900 m and - 1350 m; about 13 km Walking time:  about 7 hours Night in a refuge

We leave the refuge to climb to the Entrelor pass at 3007 metres. The valley to reach the pass is very wild. The descent takes us past lakes, and with a little sunshine we may be able to take a swim. The descent brings us back to the Valsavarenche valley, we will sleep at the bottom of the valley in a cosy guesthouse.

DAY 4  VALSAVARENCHE - VICTOR EMMANULE II BALCONY - CHABOD REFUGE

Day 5  refuge chabod - passage du gran neyron - refuge chabod - pont - chamonix, how to prepare your backpack for your gran paradiso tour , the hiking backpack.

If possible, take a bag that is light enough to be carried well, and no heavier than 1.5 kilos.

• Small  : 45 litres max
• Large :  50 litres max

Your rucksack should have 10 to 15 litres of space for the food you will be carrying for lunch and sometimes the next day, which the mountain huts or guides will give you.

Kilos to carry - it's better to wash than to carry :

• Small  : 5/6 kilos max, without water and food
• Large :  6/7 kilos max, without water and food

Allow 2 litres of water and 500 grams of food for the day.

Head-to-toe equipment for the trek:

• a cap or hat for the sun
• a hat for the cold
• a buff or choker (optional, but great in bad weather)
• a Gore Tex jacket or equivalent for bad weather
• a pair of gloves, waterproof if possible
• a small down jacket or fleece to withstand sub-zero temperatures
• two jumpers: one light and one warmer; if it's cold, we'll use all the layers
• two or three technical T-shirts
• 2 to 4 pairs of socks, which you can wash in the torrents near the refuges (use solid soap to wash)
• a bag cover for the rain
• a waterproof bag to keep a change of clothes dry
• a change of clothes for the refuge
• A pair of hiking boots with Vibram soles or good quality trail shoes from 20 July, if possible try them on before the trek.

Essential items:

• a sleeping sheet for the hut
• 2 telescopic walking poles
• Canteen or water bottle to provide at least 2 litres of water
• sun cream factor 30 to 50
• A pair of category 3 sunglasses
• a light headlamp
• small treats such as dried fruit and chocolate
• cash and your identity card or valid passport

Toiletries :

• a light, quick-drying towel, hiking style
• toothbrush with toothpaste or solid toothpaste
• small shampoo (specialist shops sell small bottles that you can keep for the rest of your hiking life)
• a pair of earplugs to help you sleep at night in the refuge

Pharmacy & other items :

• your medication
• a light survival blanket
• nail clippers
• enough to make small dressings
• a few compresses and plasters or, better still, Strappal

Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.

A small book or card game (weighing less than 150 grams)...

Necessities for meals :

• a light Opinel-type knife
• a fork and a spoon
• A local speciality to share with the rest of the team, liquid or solid.

Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure!

So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before you set off, to check that without water or food your rucksack weighs 6 to 7 KG, but no more !

IMPORTANT : if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.

Technical level 3/5

DIFFICULT MOUNTAIN WALKING  The hike has dizzying, physical and technical passages, the path is sometimes equipped with cables and ladders to allow progress. You must master the activity, you are autonomous in the mountain in the easy passages, the guide will help you in the difficult passages. You will learn about the weather and how to use a mountain rope to help you progress. Maximum 10 clients per guide.

Physical Level 4/5

SPORT TRAINED  Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day. You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.

Useful information for the organisation of the Gran Paradiso Trek

How to reach chamonix mont blanc.

• By train, possible access from France or Switzerland  
• By car via the motorway on the French side, via the Montets pass in Switzerland and via the Mont Blanc Tunnel on the Italian side.

Meeting on the first day

Meeting with the Guide

• either in Chamonix Mont Blanc, in front of the SNCF train station, at 8.00 am, click here to see the exact location on the map ;
• or directly in Valsavarenche at 10.00 am, at the end of the village of Pont, click here to see the exact location on the map .

Your guide will be waiting for you to give you a short briefing and check the weight of your backpacks.

Car parking

• in Chamonix, free public parking at the entrance of the town: Parking des Planards, see the exact location on the map
• in Valsavarenche, free public parking, in Pont, the last village in the valley: see the exact location on the map

Departure - group dispersal

At the Chamonix train station, around 6pm. Do not plan any transport before 7.30 pm.

Accommodation

You will be welcomed in the charming Italian refuges, well-known for their cuisine and warm atmosphere. Nights in rooms or dormitories depending on availability.

Where to st ay in chamonix mont blanc, before or after your hiking trip?

Here are our advices:

• Hôtel La Pointe Isabelle
• Hôtel Plan B
• La Chaumière Lodge
• Auberge de Jeunesse Hi

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).

Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com .

Car sharing

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.

The Budget for 5 days trekking trip

The price includes.

. Guiding by a qualified UIMLA trekking guide of our team for the trek;

. Nights in a Refuge on a half-board basis as described in the programme;

. Picnics from DAY 2 to DAY 5;

. Transfer from Chamonix to Valsavarenche on the first day and back to Chamonix on the last day.

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

. Cancellation/interruption/loss of luggage insurance and emergency assistance;

. Picnic lunch on DAY 1;

. Drinks and personal expenses;

. Extra nights not included in the programme;

. Anything not mentioned in the "Price includes" section.

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See more treks and hikes on a guided trip:

If you're looking for an escorted trip, you'll find a variety of treks and hikes across the Alps massif. They offer panoramic views across the highest peaks of the Italian Alps, with spectacular scenery and herds of cows, chamois and marmots!

www.espritmontagne.com/en/d_233_trek-crossing-of-the-alps-massif-mont-rose.php" target="_blank">The Mont Rose tour : Crossing the Mont Rose Massif on foot is one of the most beautiful treks in the Alps, but it's also one of the most tiring, with long, technical stages. It's probably the Alpine trek that most closely resembles the Himalayan treks!

www.espritmontagne.com/en/d_153_alpine-trekking-with-guide-between-french-alps-aosta-valley.php" target="_blank">Between France and Italy : Playing with the border, we'll set off with the south face of Mont Blanc close by, then head south over the border into ever wilder mountain corners. A superb trek on an unusual route!

www.espritmontagne.com/en/d_151_trekking-into-the-vanoise-national-park-and-haute-maurienne.php" target="_blank">The Vanoise and Haute Maurienne trek : Our routes will mainly be at altitudes of between 2,500 and 3,100 m. We'll be skirting the glaciers of Haute Maurienne and the Vanoise mountain pastures at the foot of Grande Casse (3,855 m) and Grande Motte. We'll discover mountain pastoralism, the making of Termignon blue cheese and flocks of sheep with the famous "patous" who protect the ewes from wolf attacks.

But be prepared for physical treks, with between 6 and 8 hours' walking a day...

Don't forget some useful or even compulsory equipment :

• Sun protection
• A sheet bag or meat bag for the refuge
• A rain cape
• A reasonable change of clothes !

Our BLOG article on the TOP 8 most beautiful hikes and treks in the Northern Alps:

www.espritmontagne.com/en/b_367_most-beautiful-treks-alpes-du-nord.php" target="_blank">https: www.espritmontagne.com/fr/b_367_plus-beaux-treks-alpes-du-nord.php

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• Essential Information

The Gran Paradiso at 4,061m is the highest mountain entirely within Italy and sits in one of the most idyllic national parks in the Alps.

Victor Emmanuel (King of Italy) created the national park in 1856 as his personal hunting reserve. In 1920 his grandson (Victor Emanuel III) donated it to the nation creating Italy's first national park. The National park is rich in wildlife and it is common to see Ibex, Chamois, and Lammergeier (Bearded Vultures).

On this tour we undertake a traverse of the massif, culminating with an ascent of the Gran Paradiso. This ski tour is generally quieter than ones in France or Switzerland. Dramatic scenery, wildlife, and friendly relaxing huts with Italian ambiance all add up to a great week's ski touring!

Day Itinerary

We transfer by road to the trailhead in the Valgrisenche valley. An hours skin / walk leads us up above the West bank of the reservoir Lago di Beauregard. Some years it is possible to drive this section. With our skins on we set off following the river up the steep sided valley to the Refugio Bezzi (2284m) where we spend the first night (3 hours).

The Refugio Bezzi has a great reputation for excellent food, wine and a friendly atmosphere. There is running water and showers are available. 

• At daybreak we head up the steep sided valley to the Col Bassac Dere (3082m) where crampons may be needed in icy conditions. From here you get a great view of the Rheims valley and our descent. The terrain takes us down past the Lac de Goletta (2099m) overshadowed by the impressive rock walls of the Grand Traversiere (3460m). Tricky navigation through the large cliff bands and a steep ski pitch lands us at the Refugio Benevolo (2285m) and our overnight stop. Again this hut is famous for its food and was renovated in 2015 providing greater comfort.

From the Benevolo hut we skin up the wide valley overlooking the Glacier du Lavassey to the Col Basei (3176m). From here we nip up the Punta Basei (3338m) affording our first views of the Grand Paradiso. The descent down the Ghiacciao Basey is steep and navigation critical with spectacular cliffs towering above the route on both sides. The Refuge Chivasso (2604m) is nestled next to the Col de Nivolet and feels quite remote. The hut is very traditional and has no running water and limited facilities but the food is outstanding!

• We cross the undulating plateau of the Nivolet which leads us up to the Col Ferauda (3033m) and then onto the Colle di Punta Foura. An exciting descent down the Ghiacciaio di Pianna Foura may involve a very short roped section depending on conditions. If the group is feeling brave we can also ski directly down below the col (40 degrees in places). On reaching the upper part of the Vallon de Seyvaz, we follow this easily down to the hamlet of Pont. Here we get a much earned shower and hotel bed for the night!
• A lie-in and late start is deserved as we only have a 3 hour ascent to the Refuge Vittorio Emanuel (2714m) our overnight staging post for the big event. We spend the afternoon preparing for tomorrow's big climb and stocking up on rest, food and water. The hut is old but has lots of atmosphere due to its famous location and heritage.
• Having a 4am breakfast at Refuge Vittorio Emanuel allows us plenty of time to ascend the Grand Paradiso (4061m), a mountain highly regarded by most Italians as it’s the highest mountain in Italy not crossed by either the Swiss or French border. The ascent is made via the Glacier du Grand Paradiso and should take around five hours to the summit. Crampons may be needed passing Il Roc (4026m) but will definitely be needed from the Finestra del Roc to the summit. We then rope up and scramble the along rocky ridge to gain great views and pictures of the Madonna on the summit. We descend back to Vittorio Emmanuel hut for a pasta lunch and then on to Pont via the upper Vallon de Seyvaz and our return journey by road to Aosta.
• The tour finishes after breakfast.

We can offer an optional 2-day Mont Blanc ski ascent add-on to this trip, based on 2 participants or more.

This day would be a transfer from Aosta and a day at leisure in Chamonix.

From the cable-car station at Plan d'Aiguille we climb up to the Grand Mulet hut (3051m).

A big day. We leave the hut early for the climb to the summit of Mont Blanc (4810m). The descent is on the Bossons Glacier to Plan d'Aiguille. Catch the cable car down to Chamonix and celebrate a successful climb.

Depart after breakfast.

The price includes:

• six days with IFMGA guides
• all guiding fees and expenses
• 3 nights hotel accommodation (1 HB and 2 B&B)
• 4 nights of half-board accommodation in mountain huts
• travel between Aosta and the trailhead

The price does not include:

• equipment hire
• personal insurance
• travel to/from Aosta
• lunches and beverages

*Single rooms subject to availability and supplement

Optional Mont Blanc Ski Ascent

The price for the Mont Blanc Ski Ascent is on request (minimum 2 people) and will include all guide fees and expenses and 3 nights accommodation - 2 nights B&B in Chamonix and 1 night HB in the Grands Mulets hut. Uplift costs and transfers between Aosta and Chamonix are not included but can be arranged 

We proudly offer our returning customers a discount.

The promotion is valid for qualifying bookings made before the end of October 2024 ( using the discount codes provided ) at the checkout.

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Your Financial Protection ATOL £2.50 per person of the cost of any air package is paid to the Civil Aviation Authority to provide ATOL Protection to you. This means the money paid for these arrangements is fully protected. Our ATOL number is ATOL 2911. For more information see our booking terms and conditions. ABTOT ABTOT provides protection for your booking as set out in Holiday Information. Ski Club Winter Arrangements limited (trading as Mountain Tracks) Registered in England No. 2099115. VAT No. GB 461 5692 34

We accept the following payment methods

This is an extensive list of the recommended clothing and equipment you will need if you are coming to one of our Ski Tours.

During the tour you will be staying most nights in catered high mountain huts and will need to carry all the equipment and clothing you require for the duration of the tour. The huts are comfortable but basic with limited facilities. 

Any clothing or other items not required on the tour can be left in a travel bag at your first hotel ready for your return on the final night.

We recommend keeping the weight of your pack as light as possible. If you are new to alpine multi-day ski touring, try taking your pack out on the slopes before the tour to see how it feels. You quickly realise the benefit of ‘skiing light’.

If you are uncertain or need further information, don't hesitate to contact us.

When choosing clothing for ski touring you want to think light, warm and versatile. During the trip weather conditions will change and you’re likely to go from warm afternoons where you’ll be carrying most of your gear in your rucksack, to icy-cold mornings when you’re wearing everything to keep warm! Getting hold of the best and lightest kit available is always worth it and most of the major brands will be able to supply a suitable kit.

This season, we’ve partnered with Ortovox to provide us with the very best safety kit and clothing. Our guides will all be decked out in the latest Ortovox jackets and trousers and will keep warm, dry and comfortable thanks to their technical wool base- and mid-layers. Our guides couldn’t recommend their kit more highly.

• Roll neck rather than a scarf. We use and recommend the ‘Buff¹ ¬ a light, stretchable tube. Excellent despite the name! They do both a fleece/cotton version for warmth or just a cotton one (to keep the sun off).
• Headwear to include warm hat and sun-cap or wide-brim hat for extra protection from the sun. Mountain Tracks fully supports the wearing of helmets for skiing, although not mandatory for any of our trips we do recommend them.
• An outer shell jacket made of waterproof and breathable material like Gore-Tex or similar with a built-in hood. The lighter the better and so a shell is recommended rather than an insulated jacket.
• 1-2 thin fleeces - rather than a thick layer between your skin and the outer shell - an approach which gives better heat retention and good flexibility. These tops are known as ‘mid layers’. The principle of ‘layering’ e.g. allowing you to easily add/remove layers depending on the temperature and the activity is recommended to ensure comfort on the mountain.
• Insulation layer like a down or Primaloft jacket is a good item to have ready to wear in the event of cold weather, it can live in your rucksack as a spare layer and can come in very handy for sudden changes in the weather.
• For the lower half it’s essential that you have a pair of thermal base layer pants (long johns).
• These can then be combined with either:
• (a) a good pair of ‘technical shell’ pants in a waterproof and breathable fabric like Gore-Tex (b) a pair of mountain or alpine pants in a softshell material together with a pair of lightweight, breathable over trousers with long side zips.
• Top and bottom underwear made of a synthetic, wicking material. Very popular at the moment are the wool based layers from companies such as Ortovox . They are comfy, breathable and warm when needed and can be worn for days without your friends catching a whiff!
• Good quality Gore-Tex gloves or mitts and a thin pair of softshell or fleece gloves for when it is hot and for ski touring in. Silk inner gloves can be useful if the weather is cold and you suffer from cold hands.
• Technical Socks - Investing in good quality ski socks will improve fit, warmth and feel when skiing for long periods. Bring along a few pairs.

For all touring trips it is essential you ski with an all-mountain/freeride type skis, ski touring boots and ski touring bindings. If you have your own skis but they do not have ski touring bindings then you will need to rent skis. The same applies if you have downhill ski boots, you will need to rent ski touring boots. Skis

This winter our lead guides are using Elan skis . Praised by magazine testers and professional skiers alike for its unique blend of lightweight performance, the Ripstick 96 is proven to be the ultimate freeride ski in all snow conditions. The Ripstick 106 is the ultimate freeride ski for any terrain. From boundary line to the base lodge, peak to the parking lot, and trailhead to tailgate this ski excels in all conditions. The new Ripstick Tour 94 is designed on a wider platform, enabling the skier to float better, ski faster, and turn easier in backcountry conditions.

It is built to blend high performance at a low weight, for the perfect mix of freeride downhill performance and efficient ascending capability. With Ripstick Tour 94, the confidence to conquer long ascents and charge challenging descents is the name of the game.

There are many ‘all-mountain/freeride’ skis to choose from and we also recommend skis from Salomon, Dynastar, Movement, Black Crows, Trab Skis, Scott and Volkl.  Look for a ski that is the right size for your height, typically the tip of the ski should be somewhere around your nose height.  As for the width of the ski or “side cut” a mid-fat ski – 90-110mm under the foot is a good place to start; this offers plenty of flotation off-piste while remaining suitable for day tours and they should also handle reasonably well on piste and mixed terrain.

Elan Skis: www.elanskis.com

Dynastar Skis:  www.dynastar.com

Movement Skis: www.movementskis.com                                        

Black Crows Skis: www.blackcrows-skis.com/

Trab Skis: www.skitrab.com/en-us/

Scott Skis: http://www.scott-sports.com

Volkl Skis: http://www.voelkl.com

There are plenty of other great skis to choose from so if you’re planning on buying skis for ski touring or general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us, or Lockwoods, to discuss the options available.

If you are planning on buying skis for ski touring and general skiing and have any questions do not hesitate to call us to discuss the options available to you. Boots

It is essential that you have ski touring boots for these trips as walking uphill is much more comfortable in these types of boots with a walk mode and great flex; a dedicated touring boot or a hybrid hike & ride boot is best. 

Our guides are using ROXA boots. They recommend R3 ski boots , the lightest high-performance alpine ski boot in its class. The 110 TI is geared for big mountain chargers who may use “Tech” and/or Alpine bindings and often hike or skin to find their lines . The RX Tours is targeted toward skiers who prefer to blaze their own trail and leave the lift lines behind.

Scarpa has led the way in touring boots for many years but they have been joined by other manufacturers like Dynafit, Salomon, Scott, Black Diamond, Dalbello and K2; all producing their own versions of ski touring boot.

• Scarpa’s Freedom boots are their Hybrid offerings, with great ski performance, a walk mode and Vibram sole. Their Maestrale (men’s) and Gea (women’s) boots are also highly recommended. • The Scott Celeste and Cosmo boots have stood the test of time and are good all-around choices. • Salomon’s Quest Max series offer boots with a walk mode in various flex’s with good downhill performance. • Dynafit offer the Mercury or Vulcan boots plus a range of lightweight options like the TLT6. The best of the rest are: Fischer - Transalp Black Diamond – Quadrant and Factor K2 – Pinnacle boot Dalbello – Lupo or Sherpa Langue – XT series offer a ski boot with a walk mode in various flex options Boot Liners These days many manufacturers offer ‘thermo-fit¹ liners as standard equipment. You may also want to consider a custom liner as these are heated and molded to your foot and boot for a perfect fit. They can make all the difference especially if you have trouble finding really comfortable ‘off-the-shelf’ boots. Zipfit liners are a great option for anyone seeking total customisation in fit and comfort. They will replace the original liner. Custom Footbeds Essential kit – to provide additional comfort and ski control. If you want to get footbeds made or a pair of new boots fitted then we suggest you visit somewhere like Profeet for a professional fitting. Don’t forget if you have footbeds in your downhill boots but need to rent touring boots then you can bring the footbeds with you and put them in the hire boots. Bindings For all ski touring trips ski touring bindings are essential. Fritschi and Marker both make excellent ski-touring bindings and you have a few different options to choose from. Many more people are seeing the advantage of the “pin” binding system now offered by a number of manufacturers as these are light and offer ever-improving security despite their minimalist looks!

It’s essential you have ski touring bindings on your skis. Although Pin bindings have been around since the Dynafit Low Tech bindings over 30 years ago since their patent expired the technology has advanced substantially. Salomon, with their Shift Binding, are at the forefront; they’re ‘multi norm compatible’ so fit a selection of boots and are lighter than most freeride bindings. Our lead guides are using the Shift binding this winter, so if you’d like to know more about them give Lockwoods a ring. Ski Poles We recommend telescopic poles. They must have wide powder baskets (4-5 inches/100-120mm diameter) otherwise you’ll be up to your armpits on the ascents. Go for an alloy rather than carbon poles which are lighter but have a nasty habit of snapping near the basket due to ski edge nicks. Rucksack For most ski tours especially multi-day hut-to-hut tours you will need a 35 - 40 litre rucksack . You might get away with a big 30 liter pack if you are an experienced ski tourer and know what to pack. Most people will find a 35-40 liter pack is a good size for touring. Key features of a good ski touring pack:

• a method of attaching your skis in either an A-frame (one either side) or both together on a diagonal ski carriage
• easy access into the main compartment without having to empty the sack to get something at the bottom
• separate pocket for avalanche shovel, handle and probe
• small top pocket for items like wallet, sunglassed/goggles etc; an ice axe loop
• built-in rain cover and a secure method of attaching/stowing a ski helmet 
• good hip/waist belt and adjustable shoulder straps

Ortovox Haute Route 40 rucksack will be a good choice for ski touring trips. 

Avalanche airbag rucksacks can be used for touring but they are heavy, adding somewhere between 5-8kg just for an empty pack plus canister. So unless you are sure you can carry it and fit all you need in, we do not recommend you use one. 

Over a long multiday tour, every gram of weight is important as you have to carry and move it yourself. Carrying a heavy pack will hinder and tire all but the most experienced and fit ski tourer.

• Ski Skins – these are skins which, now made of artificial fabric, stick to the bottom of your skis and allow you to walk up hill. They must be cut to fit your skis exactly, so if you are bringing your own skis you must provide your own skins.
• Ski Crampons (aka couteaux) - most ski touring bindings have ski crampons specifically designed for the binding. We always carry these just in case. Again if you are bringing your skis and touring bindings you must provide your own ski crampons. 
• Ice Axe - general lightweight mountaineering / alpine pick. Ideally this needs to be short enough to fit in your pack.
• Boot Crampons - ideally lightweight aluminum ones although steel crampons are required for more demanding tours
• Climbing Harness - a simple lightweight harness. The key feature is that it should have fully adjustable leg loops for putting on over ski boots, crampons, etc.
• Helmet - Some people choose to ski tour with a helmet, this is up to you. If you bring a Normal ski helmet they are heavy to carry. Many manufacturers now have lightweight ski touring helmets that work well.

The “Safety Trilogy” - required on all our ski tours and off-piste courses.

• Avalanche Transceiver/Beacon
• Snow shovel
• Avalanche probe

We recommend Simple and intuitive ORTOVOX AVALANCHE RESCUE KIT 3+ 

Remember it is not enough just to carry this equipment; you have to know how to use it. 

How about joining one of our specialist avalanche courses – check out  www.mountaintracks.co.uk/activity/avalanche-training

• Good pair of ski goggles with a lens for low light is essential in the event of snow and poor visibility
• Good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection
• 35 – 40 liter rucksack
• 1 – 1.5 Liter water bottle – we don’t recommend hydration systems (e.g. camelbak) in winter as they can freeze.
• Food – bring some of your favorite hill nibbles (chocolate, energy bars)*
• Suncream and lip salve
• Camera with a large capacity memory card!
• Money – most hotels, shops and restaurants accept credit cards, but not all the alpine huts do. You should allow about 30-40 Swiss Francs or 20-30 Euros per day for lunch and drinks (amount approximate and depends on consumption)
• Lightweight sleeping bag liner – now compulsory in most huts.
• Wash kit with small personal first aid items – should include:
• Toothbrush and paste - a mini one is ideal
• Anti-bacterial hand cleaner
• Wet wipes – essential to try to maintain hygiene
• Tissues and toilet roll
• Plasters – of various sizes and possibly some adhesive wound dressings.
• Pain Killers – aspirin or Paracetamol/Nurofen
• Antiseptic cream or wipes
• Blister kit – compeed and elastic tape to hold it in place (essential)!
• (Note: Guides will have comprehensive first aid kits and are qualified in mountain first aid)
• Small light quick dry towel e.g. a Lifeventure Soft fiber towel
• Most huts have limited washing facilities
• Earplugs – it can get quite noisy!
• Headtorch - lightweight and carry spare batteries.
• Book, pack of cards and or Ipod/MP3 player – It’s nice to have something to read or listen to when you are in the huts or to challenge your fellow travelers to a game of card. These items are not essential but if you have space you might appreciate them.

Food and Water We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favorite hill snacks. When you’re staying overnight in huts its best to take supplies for the days you are away. Huts do sell food but it’s expensive and sometimes stocks run low. If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (Gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food with you that you can supplement your dinners with. The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs. You have to buy bottled water in the huts as usually any running water is non-potable. Bottled water is expensive in French and Swiss huts; you can be paying upto 12-16CHF per 1.5L bottle of water. So please ensure you budget for this cost.

• Ski Touring - Hiring Most resorts have ski shops that hire ski equipment and we try to provide relevant contact details for all our courses and tours. Prices do change by resort/country, but here’s an approximate guide to hire costs for 6-days hire: Touring Skis plus skins and ski crampons €150-180 Touring boots €80-90  Boot Crampons €45-50 Ice Axe €30-40 Harness €20-30 Helmet €20-30 Transceiver/shovel/probe €75-80 Our guides also generally have additional sets of safety equipment (transceiver/shovel/probe) which they hire out to clients for €65 for 6 days hire. Must be booked in advance.

Gran Paradiso National Park

The Gran Paradiso at 4061m is the highest mountain entirely within Italy and sits in one of the most idyllic National Parks in the Alps. It is located in the Graian Alps (45°32′N, 7°16′E) in the Aosta Valley. Despite the peak's popularity with walkers, skiers and mountaineers, it has a feeling of remoteness that belies its accessibility and at 4061m, it's the perfect peak to start your ‘4000er' career and very achievable for hill-walkers looking for a new challenge. The most convenient airport is Turin Caselle. Geneva Airport is also a good option and the journey time from there to the edge of the park is about 90 minutes (through the Mont Blanc tunnel).

Our top reasons for visiting the Gran Paradiso National Park

• Climbing Gran Paradiso (in summer or winter), the highest mountain entirely within Italy
• One of the Alps most beautiful National Parks - completely devoid of any resort developments
• Easy access from Chamonix and Geneva Airport via the Mont Blanc tunnel and the Val d'Aosta
• Friendly and well-priced mountain huts
• Very varied terrain that is suitable for intro to ski touring trips as well as expert level tours
• Ice climbing in Cogne. One of the very best venues in the Alps

We often use Chamonix as the start and end point of tours and treks within the Gran Paradiso area as acessability is quick by road (less than 2hrs).  

We run our Gran Paradiso Ski Tour in the region plus in the summer the peak is used as a training peak for our Mont Blanc Climber weeks and a goal in itself on other weeks.  The region is as beautiful in the summer as it is in the winter months. 

Map of Gran Paradiso National Park

It is a condition of booking that you are insured for your chosen activity and the cover must include medical expenses, personal accident, personal liability, third party risks and rescue (including helicopter rescue). You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.

For UK residents Ski Club Travel Insurance may be a suitable option.

For more details and to purchase a policy online visit http://www.skiclubinsurance.co.uk/ If you need assistance arranging your personal insurance please let us know.  

You should arrange to arrive in Aosta by late afternoon on the first day.

You can fly into Turin, Milan or Geneva airports. 

The most convenient airport is Turin airport, from here the transfer time to Aosta by road is approximately 1hr 30 minutes. A regular transfer service operates from Turin Caselle airport, costing €25 one way. You can find further information here . You must book at least 72 hours before your journey.

From Milan, the transfer time is approximately 2hrs 15 minutes. A regular shuttle operates througout the Winter, costing €25 one way. You can find further information here . You must book at least 24 hours before your journey.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) 

What is ETIAS?

• Starting in the first half of 2025, travellers from over 60 visa-exempt countries will be required to have an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter most European countries within the Schengen Area .
• ETIAS enhances security by checking the details of travellers before they arrive.
• It is similar to systems like the ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada).

Who Needs ETIAS?

• Travellers with British passports or passports from other visa-exempt countries must complete the ETIAS process.
• Holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid EU/Schengen Area visas are exempt.

Application Details:

• ETIAS costs a 7EUR processing fee, waived for those under 18 or over 70.
• Validity: Three years from application, tied to your passport’s validity.
• New passport = new ETIAS.

Application Form Questions:

• Basic personal details (e.g., passport info, name, address, citizenship, gender).
• Additional questions during the process (e.g., criminal history, past travel, health).

Application Fee:

• 7EUR euros.
• Electronic payment via debit/credit card.
• Most applicants receive approval within minutes.
• Valid ETIAS visa waiver for three consecutive years.

Remember to apply for ETIAS approval to explore your favourite European destinations! More details will be confirmed by ETIAS authorities . You can find additional information at the following links:

• ETIAS Official Website 

EES (Entry/Exit System)

The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system developed by the European Agency for the operational management of large-scale IT systems. Its primary purpose is to register travellers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border. Here are the key points:

What is EES?

• The EES is an automated IT system designed for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay.
• It records and stores the date, time, and place of entry and exit when these travellers cross the external borders of European countries using the EES.
• The system calculates the duration of the authorized stay and generates alerts to EU Member States when the authorized stay expires .

Who Is Affected?

• The EES applies to non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180 days) to European countries using the EES.
• Exemptions apply; for example, holders of EU or Schengen Area passports or valid visas are exempt from EES registration.

Advantages of EES:

• Saves time by replacing manual passport stamping.
• Automates border control procedures for more efficient travel.
• It helps identify travellers who overstay or use fake identities or passports.
• Contributes to preventing, detecting, and investigating serious criminal offences.
• EES Official Website

All our ski tours are led by our team of IFMGA Mountain Guides. The team is led by Olly Allen, Matt Dickinson and Nick Parks. 

You spend 3 nights in hotel accommodation and the other 4 nights are spent in traditional alpine mountain huts. The huts are amongst the friendliest on the circuit – very welcoming and friendly; ideal places to relax after long days on the hill. Food is generally excellent and plentiful. It is possible to leave some luggage in Aosta whilst you are in the mountain huts as you will return there for the final night.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, all participants must meet the specified skill and stamina levels required for each trip, as outlined on the trip’s page at the time of booking.

Please keep the following in mind:

Trip Requirements: Before booking your trip, please review and confirm that you meet the necessary skill and stamina levels. These requirements are in place to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

Guides' Discretion: Our guides and instructors are dedicated to maintaining the highest safety standards. They have the authority to exclude any participant who does not meet the required skill or stamina levels or whose participation could compromise the group's safety. This decision will be made with the utmost consideration.

Responsibility for Costs: Should you be unable to continue with the trip due to inadequate skill or stamina, any additional expenses incurred will be your responsibility.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. Our goal is to provide a memorable and safe adventure for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about the requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.

For further information please refer to the Terms & Conditions . 

• 6 days touring with Mountain Guide
• Ski ascent of Gran Paradiso, highest mountain in Italy
• Discover one of the most idyllic National Parks in the Alps
• Guided on a maximum 1:4 ratio

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Skills & Stamina

Skill level.

Off-Piste Coaching 

Our Introductory level is suitable for people who can ski red and black pistes in resorts without problems and you can deal with moguls and some ice. You will be new to off-piste skiing or maybe have dabbled a little on the sides of the piste or even attended a previous off-piste specific course. You would like to ski powder snow with confidence and learn to link turns off-piste in a variety of terrain as well as being able to control your speed and adjust your turn radius.

Ski Touring

Introductory-level ski touring trips are appropriate for people looking for their first touring experience. The pace is relaxed and typically we skin for 2-4hrs per day so ascents are about 500 - 800m vertical. You need to be a reasonable off-piste skier (at our Off-Piste Intermediate level)l, able to link controlled parallel turns in powder snow and ski through trees in control. You need to be prepared to hike short sections on foot carrying your skis on your rucksack (though you won’t need any specific mountaineering knowledge, so crampons and an ice axe are usually not required).

Off-Piste Coaching and Adventure  For our intermediate-graded off-piste ski courses and trips, you will have at least a couple of weeks of off-piste skiing experience and /or received some previous instructions on an off-piste-specific course. You can link 10-12 turns together in reasonable control, speed and style, following the fall line in most conditions. If you want to improve your technique in deeper snow and steeper slopes then our Off-Piste Coaching Development trips are for you. These are instructor-led courses.

If you want to get some miles under your skis then look at our Off-Piste Adventure Intermediate trips which are led by our team of Mountain Guides. On the Adventure courses you can expect to hike or ski tour short distances to get to better snow and terrain, although no previous ski touring experience is required.

These tours will involve around 3-5hrs of skinning per day, achieving around 800 – 1000m of vertical ascent. We would expect you to be able to skin to a pace of 300m of vertical ascent per hour. You need to be able to execute good uphill kick turns on steeper slopes and be familiar with using crampons and ice axe. You need to be a reasonably strong off-piste skier able to deal with a variety of snow conditions (powder, crust, slush) and able to ski on steeper and narrower slopes with the requisite ability and confidence for exposed sections.

For our Advanced Off-Piste Coaching courses you should be an excellent piste skier and have many years experience of skiing off-piste. You should be able to ski off-piste in most conditions linking controlled parallel turns, ski bumpy terrain, trees, narrow gullies and enjoy pushing yourself to achieve new things. Your skiing should be reasonably fluid and autonomous i.e. you can already adapt your turn radius and speed to the terrain and snow conditions off-piste. This course will focus on the technical and tactical skills to ski steep terrain, jump turns and line choice as well as refreshing your avalanche skills and mountain safety. The mission is for your skiing to become more dynamic and reactive!

You are an experienced and confident off-piste skier able to handle most snow types and conditions, you can ski steep slopes (30 degrees+) and make short turns in gullies and ski through trees. These skills have been learned over a number of years of skiing off-piste with mountain guides or experienced groups of friends. You are happy to ski tour to access descents and better snow, so you will have previously used ski touring equipment and can do effective and safe uphill kick turns. You aspire to ski the best snow available and are happy to push yourself to reach the best snow and terrain.

Advanced-level tours are for experienced ski tourers who’ve previously completed another hut-to-hut trip or multiple day tours. A large proportion of the terrain may be steep and exposed; thus confidence in your uphill kick turns on 35+ degree slopes is a must, as is your ability to ski slopes of 40 degrees. You will be a strong, fluid off-piste skier able to handle all conditions. You will be confident of using crampons and an ice axe and happy scrambling/climbing on snow and rock on short climbs to summits, and in gullies to gain a col.

You can ski fluidly and autonomously on all terrain. You often ski couloirs and gullies and seek out steep slopes and you can jump turn in narrow couloirs and have experience of abseiling and sideslipping on steep terrain. You can ski fast with fluid ‘freeride’ style turns and can jump off small rocks and ski trees with no fear or problems. You are happy to ski tour and hike to reach the best snow and terrain and you should have some basic knowledge of using crampons and ice axe. Your aims are to push your skills and challenge yourself further.

Expert level ski tours are pure ski mountaineering journeys in the high mountains. You must be confident skiing steep exposed terrain and ski touring for at least 5 hours per day with long ascents. You will be expected to climb on your feet carrying your skis on your pack to summit mountains above 4000m in altitude. You must be completely confident with your crampon placement and use of an ice axe and you will have some basic rope skills and be happy walking along exposed ridges on mixed terrain to gain the summits of peaks.

Stamina Level

• Level 1 You are fit enough to ski all day with only short stops for food and drink. You can ski off-piste all day without being too tired at the end of the day; you can ski in this way for multiple days on your holiday. You can also hike or ski tour for around 2 hours per day. You’re used to doing cardiovascular exercise 3 to 4 times a week (bike, run, gym) to maintain your fitness, and you’re able to push yourself if needed for short periods of time at a higher rate than usual.

You can ski all day comfortably off-piste with only short stops for food and drink, you can do this for multiple days on your holiday. If necessary you can ski tour for around 1-2 hrs up hill plus your happy to do a few short hikes to access good snow with your skis on your shoulder or rucksack. Your stamina and endurance fitness is good and you work hard to maintain a good level of fitness. You will be exercising 3-4 times a week and also at the weekend; thus running a half marathon, doing a 50 mile cycle ride, 3-4 hours on a mountain bike or a full day’s hill walk would all prove possible with this stamina level.

You can ski all day comfortably and will be expected to ascend on skis at around 400m/hr and be able to skin for at least 5hrs with up to 1000m to 1300m of ascent per day. Your stamina and endurance fitness is good and you work hard to maintain a good level of fitness. You will be exercising 3-4 times a week and also at the weekend; thus running a half marathon, doing a 50 mile cycle ride, 3-4 hours on a mountain bike or a full day’s hill walk would all prove possible with this stamina level.

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IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV

The IFMGA / UIAGM / IVBV symbol is the logo of the International Federation of Mountain Guides Association.

Nick, Olly and Matt are all fully-qualified UIAGM Mountain Guides and members of the British Mountain Guides Association.

The International Ski Instructors Association is the world body for professional ski instructors.

The ISIA was formed in 1971 and there are currently 39 member nations representing the very best in ski instruction around the world.

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• Dates & Prices

Trail Conditions Season 2024 See our News Page

Traverse of the Gran Paradiso

The alta via 2 from chardonney to courmayeur in the italian alps.

The Traverse of the Gran Paradiso or Alta Via 2 is a remote and stunningly beautiful gem taking you 130 kilometres from Chardonney to Courmayeur in the Italian Alps.

This 8 day Traverse of the Gran Paradiso trek is high above the Aosta Valley. The route takes you over high altitude cols and through seemingly pristine untouched, rugged terrain. At night you rest in mountain huts and hotels. This long distance trek with an accumulation 9,000 meters of height gain is must for the seasoned trekker who is looking for the next challenge.

Our Trek Packages

Gran Paradiso Self-Guided Trek

• Traverse of the Gran Paradiso National Park
• 8 days, 9 nights
• Stunning high altitude terrain trekking at 3200m
• 130 kms of quiet and pristine trail
• Pre-booked hotels and huts
• Fabulous Italian food and drink
• Flexible start dates available
• Maps, guidebooks, route cards and expert advice provided as and when required

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Happiness Promise

There are hundreds of thousands of guides and tour operators around the world. Figuring out who to trust is stressful and hard.

That’s why we started 10Adventures Tours, we’re here to make it easy to find a great guide or tour operator. We handpick the best local guides and tour operators for 10Adventures, working to ensure you have great guides and a great trip.

We know it sucks to show up in a different country and find out the tents are junk, the guide incompetent or the route different from what we thought we were getting.

We want to give our users peace of mind that you’ll have a great trip and offer a guarantee that we will work with you to make it right.

How does this work? Well, if you feel that something about your trip didn’t’ meet your expectations, let us know. We will then work to gather the details and figure out where things went wrong. If something indeed wasn’t as described, or went wrong with your trip, and the problem was within the control of either oursleves, the guide or the tour company, we will then work out a refund with you that’s proportional to the scale of the problem.

Obviously the best way to make a great trip is to tell your local guide or tour operator and give them the chance to fix the solution while you are on your trip. Most things can be solved by telling your guide when the issue develops. If that doesn’t solve it, then email us right away. Please don’t wait to voice your concerns until the trip is over, as it’s much harder to solve issues after the fact.

We work hard to make sure you have a great trip. If something isn’t right, please email  [email protected]  and we will get to work right away.

Lifetime Deposit

Is there anything better than booking a trip, and being able to have peace of mind when doing so? At 10Adventures, you're covered with Lifetime Deposits! As world travellers ourselves, we understand how important this is and that's why we've introduced our Lifetime Deposits program for most tours on 10Adventures.

It's simple! You pay your deposit to confirm your trip, and if you have to cancel, we'll keep your full deposit amount on file for you to use towards any future booking with 10Adventures. You can use this deposit within the same year, or even 10 years later...it's your call!

• A voucher in the amount of your deposit paid will be issued to you by email on cancellation of your tour booking.
• Lifetime Deposits are transferable, so if you'd like to give your deposit to someone else to book a tour on 10Adventures, just let us know.
• You can only use one lifetime deposit towards a future booking (not multiple).
• If your Lifetime Deposit amount is more than the total tour value you're re-booking, no cash value or credit will be issued.
• Not all tours on 10Adventures are eligible for Lifetime Deposits.
• Lifetime Deposits cannot be redeemed for cash value.
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Check out complete details in the Booking Terms and Conditions.

Group Trips

Group travel can be chaotic and messy, which is why going on a trip with family or friends is the fun part and planning the trip, well… isn’t. But what if the group travel experience of your dreams could be organized without the hassle of you needing to plan every detail?

With 10Adventures group tours, you’ll be the mastermind behind an unforgettable trip without the need to worry about logistics, payments, or who can get time off for a holiday.

The VIP-level service of our Travel Advisors allows you to organize the adventure of your dreams, customize it exactly how you want to, and watch the savings roll in as more of your friends and family sign up for the once in a lifetime experience you created. It’s that simple!

Take the first step on your next group adventure by contacting one of our Travel Advisors today.

The window to travel as a family only narrows with time. Make the most of it by exploring the world together and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Why share a travel experience with people you don’t know? Spend your hard-earned vacation surrounded by close friends on the adventure of a lifetime.

Shared travel experiences strengthen bonds and are the perfect way to come together as colleagues to solve challenges in a way that just can’t be done in an office environment.

Connect with members of your club or social circle over shared interests like food, culture, and the outdoors.

• VIP Service: Have a dedicated Travel Advisor who is always a call or a click away.
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• Customizable: You are in charge and choose the start date, length, itinerary, accommodations, and other services.
• Easy Payment: Flexible payment schedule, and most importantly separate invoices so you aren’t left paying for other people.
• Private: Just you and your group making memories that will last your lifetime.
• Quality Time: There’s no better way to travel than alongside family and or friends. Enjoy quality time exploring the world with those you love most.

Gran Paradiso Loop

Chat with us on our contact page or fill out the form below!

Experience the splendour of the Aosta Valley on this 8-day self-guided trek

• Lifetime Deposit - Lifetime deposit means if you need to cancel your booking you’ll get a credit for your full deposit to use on your next booking.

About this tour:

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Why travellers choose this tour

At 10Adventures, we take care of the details so that our guests can focus on making memories. Enjoy these key features on this tour.

We're Canadian

Book with a Canadian company whose mission is to help you travel the world.

Accommodations

Accommodations for 7 nights are included.

Don't worry about meals. 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.

Check out the 'What's Included' tab for more info on personal transfers during your tour.

Local Support

Travel stress-free knowing in-country local support is available by regular phone or WhatsApp to support you during your tour.

Payments Made Easy

Enjoy the flexibility and ease of staggered payments in your own currency using your choice of credit card.

Route Resources

Route notes, maps, and/or a trail app make navigation on this tour a breeze.

Park Entrance Fees

Included where possible! Check the 'What's Included' tab for more info on park entrance fees during your tour.

Luggage transfers

Take a load off, with optional or included luggage transfers. Check inclusions for further details.

Accommodation for Gran Paradiso Loop

This tour is based in mountain huts and hotels. Hotels on this trip are 2 star and offer modern conveniences that can make this trip more pleasant. The accommodation in mountain huts is based in shared dormitory rooms.

In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.

Single Rooms and Solo Travelers Rooms in hotel are of double and those willing to stay in a single room will have to pay a supplement (please enquire about the pricing). Please note that the single accommodations are not available in dormitory-style mountain huts, where all of the living spaces are shared with other trekkers.

Hotel in Aosta

Enjoy this comfortable hotel stay in the capital of the Valle d’Aosta region, a fascinating city well worth exploring with deep Roman roots.

Dormitory accommodation in Savoia Hut

Rest well in this cozy mountain hut situated north of Alpe Pilocca in the Aosta Valley.

Dormitory accommodation in Benevolo Hut

Wake up to majestic views, surrounded by mountains at the Benevolo Hut.

Dormitory accommodation in Mario Bezzi Hut

Built in 1925, this historic hut located nearby Alpi Vaudet provides the perfect place to lay your head after a day of exciting trekking.

Dormitory accommodation in Épée Hut

A beautifully rustic stone hut serving up tasty food and endless mountain views!

Dormitory accommodation in Rhêmes Notre Dame Hut

Find yourself surrounded by majestic mountains and sprawling green meadows at this comfortable mountain hut located at the end of the Rhêmes Notre Dame Valley.

Hotels on Standard Tour

Planning a group trip?

Learn how we help group of friends, outdoor clubs and families get the tour they’ve been dreaming about.

Gran Paradiso Loop Tour Details

Gran paradiso loop overview.

The 8-Day self-guided Gran Paradiso Loop will introduce you to the might and majesty of the Italian alps as you venture deep into the Aoasta Valley and discover the wonders of Gran Paradiso National Park. From one rustic mountain hut to another, you’ll explore the park’s breathtaking alpine meadows, glacier-fed lakes, and towering peaks.

Hike through fragrant pine forests as you navigate the alpine pastures of Entrelor and witness the beauty of the Valgrisenche Valley below as you traverse a spectacular balcony section. Each night you’ll retire in rustic mountain huts and enjoy local specialties like Aosta Valley’s fontina cheese and the famous Aostan Coffee.

The option to add a 2-day guided extension to the tour to climb Gran Paradiso Peak comes highly recommended and can be added during the booking process.

Gran Paradiso Loop Itinerary

Make your way to Aosta, the capital of the Val d'Aoste, a truly special place in Italy and the location where your self-guided tour begins. Check into your hotel in Aosta and prepare for the exhilarating days of trekking that lie ahead. If time permits, make sure to explore this charming town, steeped in fascinating Roman history.

Hike from Pont

A brilliant first day of hiking awaits you as you transfer from Aosta to the starting point of your hike in Valsavarenche valley. Start the day's hike from the trailhead in Pont, located at the end of the road that leads up Valsavarenche Valley. If you chose the "baggage transfer" option, meet in Pont at 1:30pm with the taxi that will handle transferring your bags.

Choose from two options for today’s hike.

Option 1: A longer hike that starts in Pont (1,994m) and follows a trail that climbs to Grand Collet Pass (2,832m). From here, enjoy spectacular views of the legendary Gran Paradiso Peak. Then, descend into Nivolet Valley to join the trail that leads to the Savoia (2,533m) and Chivasso (2,600m) huts. For today's hike, you have two options:

Option 2: This is a shorter option compared to option one that also starts in Pont (1,994m) and follows a trail that climbs straight to Rolley/Arolley (2,313m) where you’ll revel in the insurmountable beauty of Grand Paradiso Peak. From here, you’ll continue up the valley along Nivolet creek all the way to your hut accommodations.

Alpine Lakes and Meadows

This morning, with Gran Paradiso Peak behind you, follow the trail (and animal tracks) through the area's serene alpine meadows, with lakes scattered here and there, and then through a snowfield or two until you reach Col Rosset Pass (3,023m). This is the week's first mountain pass above 3,000m! Enjoy the descent into Val di Rhêmes, as well as dinner and spending the night in the Benevolo Hut (2,287 m). If you're lucky, the hut managers will offer you a cup of "Aostan coffee."

Mountains and Glaciers

Following breakfast this morning, depart the hut, and pursue the trail that passes through a rocky bottleneck on your way to glacier formed Golette Lake, which reflects in its waters the seracs and glaciers looming above.

Press on to climb to Col Bassac-Déré Pass (3,082m) and take full advantage of your high perch to soak in the views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The descent on the other side of the pass takes you right along the edge of the Glairetta Glacier and then to Mario Bezzi Hut (2,240m), where you will spend the night.

Views of the Valgrisenche Valley

No high-altitude passes to cross today! Instead, you’ll walk along a spectacular balcony traverse Above the beautiful Valgrisenche Valley. Stroll through meadows and pastures, as well as rocky alpine terrain scattered with small lakes and creeks fed by the summer's glacier meltwater. You are now in the heart of where Aosta Valley's world-famous fontina cheese is made. All throughout the day, enjoy views of Ruitor Peak, whose summit offers one of the most spectacular vistas in the Alps. The warm and welcoming Epée Hut (2,373m) is the day's final destination.

Glacial Peaks

This morning, another high-adrenalin trek awaits as you ascend to Lake Part (2,458 m). The Col de Chavière (2,796 m) is a small indentation in the ridge between the Péclet-Polset area and the Pointe de l'Echelle, glacial peaks. Later, descend to the Péclet-Polset refuge where you’ll enjoy a well earned rest (2,474 m).

Hike to Eaux-Rousse

The longest stage of your trip is before you this morning! Enjoy this outstanding traverse through varied terrain, with unforgettable views from beginning to end. Your early-morning start leads out of Rhêmes-Notre-Day and through beautiful pine forests to the alpine pastures of Entrelor (2,142m). The trail follows Entrelor Creek for a while, and then slowly but surely climbs to Entrelor Pass, the trip's last high-mountain pass above 3,000m elevation! The descent takes you to Noir Lake (2,670m), and then towards Djouan Lakes (2,516m), with great views of Gran Paradiso Peak all along the way. At this point, your final destination and the end of the trip are near. Traverse along the mountainside to the national park's visitor center, through the pine forest to the village of Eaux-Rousses (166m), and to the end your six-day adventure through Gran Paradiso National Park. Transfer by public bus back to Aosta.

Optional: Climb Gran Paradiso Peak (4,061m) You have the option of extending your trip by two days to climb Gran Paradiso Peak with a high-mountain guide. Enjoy the company, guidance, and instruction of a state-certified high mountain guide for a group of one to four people. Please request this add on at time of booking.

With a storehouse of memories made in Italy’s breathtaking Aosta Valley, it’s time to depart this morning after breakfast. Arrivederci!

Tour Highlights

Highlights for gran paradiso loop.

Discover the mesmerizing landscapes of the Italian Alps as you trek its alpine meadows, lakes, and pastures.

Experience some of Italy’s best trekking as you uncover the wonders of Gran Paradiso National Park.

Visit remote mountain villages and enjoy local delicacies like Aosta Valley’s world-famous fontina cheese.

Enjoy high-adrenalin trekking as you tackle thrilling mountains passes that soar 3000m above.

What's Included

7 breakfasts and 5 dinners are included.

Transportation during the Tour

This tour includes luggage transfers, however, personal transfers are not included and you will be in charge of organising your own logistics, such as getting to the start of the tour. You can also exclude luggage transfers from your tour package to lower the price.

Also Included

• The roadbook (1 per 4 travellers)
• Support hotline 24/7
• Access to mobile application for GPS guidance

Not included

• Lunches and any other meals not mentioned as ‘included’
• Showers in mountain huts
• Guide services
• Anything not mentioned as ‘included’

Optional Extras

• Extra night in Aosta before or after the tour
• Transfers between Aosta and starting/ending points of the tour
• Optional extension to climb to Gran Paradiso

Dates & Prices

The pricing for this self-guided tour in Italian Alps depends on the size of your group. You also have an option to opt out of luggage transfers to reduce the tour price. All the prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room where possible (note only dormitory rooms are available in huts) and those who need single rooms will have to pay a supplement.

Self-guided Gran Paradiso Loop Tour Price without Luggage Transfers

Enjoy a private self-guided tour for your group only:

• Groups of 2-3: $875 USD per person
• Groups of 4+: $795 USD per person

Self-guided Gran Paradiso Loop Tour Price with Luggage Transfers included in the price

Enjoy a private self-guided tour for your group only with luggage transfers included in the tour package:

• Groups of 2: $1,450 USD per person
• Groups of 3: $1,225 USD per person
• Groups of 4: $1,125 USD per person
• Groups of 5: $1,025 USD per person
• Groups of 6+: $975 USD per person

Optional Extension: Climb to Gran Paradiso Peak

This is a great opportunity to climb one of the highest peaks in Italy! This extension is guided (1 guide per 4 travellers) and includes 2 additional nights in Vittorio-Emanuele II Hut (with breakfast and dinner included), as well as all safety gear.

• Groups of 2: $750 USD per person
• Groups of 3: $575 USD per person
• Groups of 4: $495 USD per person
• Groups of 5: $650 USD per person
• Groups of 6+: $575 USD per person

Accommodation

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Tour Booking Process

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Frequently asked questions for Gran Paradiso Loop

How hard is the Gran Paradiso Loop Tour?

We rate this tour as a 4 / 5. The distances are moderate; however, the elevation gain is significant, therefore this tour is not recommended for beginners. Optional ascending to Gran Paradiso peak is technically quite straight forward (it is one of the easiest 4,000m peaks in Alps) but is physically demanding due to elevation gain.

Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?

Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website , though you should verify with your government.

Are meals included on the Gran Paradiso Loop Tour?

Do I need insurance?

Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip, and your insurance should cover (activity). Get your Travel Insurance .

How do I get to Aosta to start this tour?

The closest airport to Aosta is Turin (TRN) however, Aosta can also be easily reach from Malpensa Airport near Milano (MXP). There are numerous options to reach Aosta with public transport, however, renting a car would be the best solution.

Is the Gran Paradiso Loop Tour in English?

This tour is not guided, however, you’ll get all the necessary information provided to you in English.

Where does the Gran Paradiso Loop Tour end?

The tour ends where it starts, in Aosta.

Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?

Check with your family doctor.

Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?

Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.

Tour Difficulty

Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.

This tour was made for you!

Start filling out your booking details. Once you submit your request, we'll review availability for this tour and contact you within 24 hours to further customize your perfect adventure.

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We make it easy for travellers to book private travel experiences, so they can make memories exploring the world with the people that matter most.

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Gran Paradiso ski Tour

Group departures.

Difference in altitude: 950 m Ascent time: 3-4 hours Meeting point: Aosta, around 11.00 a.m., equipment check and short briefing with the Guide before transfer by car to Val di Cogne-Valnontey

Climb to Sella hut (2.588 m).

Difference in altitude: 1,400 m Descent gain:  1,200 m Ascent/descent time: 7-8 hours

Climbing up the glaciers Lauson and Grand Valley will take us to the top of the Grand Sertz Peak (3,552 m). We will go down along the Valsavarenche side on the slope along the glacier Timorion, crossing the Grand Neyron glacier and then we’ll go up the Col Grand Neyron where is the Sberna bivouac (3,414 m). Descent through the Montandayné glacier to Rifugio Chabod (2,750 m).

Difference in altitude: 1,360 m Descent gain: 1,360 m Ascent/descent time: 5-6 hours

We will climb to Gran Paradiso (4,061 m) along the glacier Laveciau. Then, we will go down on the Gran Paradiso Glacier to reach the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele (2,735 m).

Difference in altitude: 900 m Descent gain: 1,400 m Ascent/descent time: 6-7 hours

From the hut we will climb towards the Gran Paradiso pass (3,345 m); once we reach it, we’ll go down along the Noaschetta glacier until the Ivrea bivouac (2,770 m). We climb back to the Becchi pass (2,990 m) and from here down to the Pontese hut (2,200 m).

Difference in altitude: 1,100 m Descent gain: 1,800 m Ascent/descent time: 6-8 hours

From the Pontese hut, we will climb to the Colle di Teleccio (3,304 m). From here we will follow the Valleille glacier, then the Valleille and continue up to Lillaz (1,617 m) where we will return to the car in Valnontey by public transport or taxi.

• the assistance of a UIAGM/IFMGA certified Mountain Guide
• the Mountain Guide’s expenses (transfers, meals and accommodation)
• liability insurance
• loan of personal equipment (harness, ice axe and crampons)
• pic-nic for the day of ascension
• booking assistance service (including assistance for refuges and lifts reservation)
• 4 nights accommodation in refuge in half board (dinner and breakfast included)
• transfer at the end of the tour from Lillaz to Valnontey
• research and rescue insurance with UVGAM coverage (recommended): €12 per person for 7 days
• the hiring of any personal equipment (harness, ice axe, crampons and helmet): €30/day per person while supplies last
• extra meals and beverages for you and the guide
• the hiring of any personal equipment (avalanche beacon, shovel and probe): €30/day per person
• anything that is not mentioned under "The rate includes"
• It is crucial that participants follow all instructions provided by the mountain guides before and during the activities, and that they accept any changes made to the programme in order to guarantee their safety.
• Fees for lift facilities, transfers and mountain lodges are subject to changes established and applied by the respective owners without any liability attributable to PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides.
• The rates listed in the “The rate does not include” section are to be considered merely indicative and are therefore subject to changes.
• PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides reserves the right to change any route or activity programme based on conditions (weather, accessibility, refuge) and participants’ fitness level.
• The dates indicated for the activities may change due to weather, snow, or soil conditions, etc. In addition, they depend on the date of opening/closing of the lift facilities, which are established seasonally/yearly by the managing entities of the same and, therefore, are not in any way attributable to PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides.

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Gran Paradiso ski-tour

A 5 days ski-tour on gran paradiso.

Gran Paradiso is a splendid peak of 4061 meters: it is located inside the Gran Paradiso park, a wild and fascinating environment. This 5-day ski tour  is one of the most beautiful in the Alps, perhaps less famous and frequented than Chamonix-Zermatt and for this reason more recommendable. The tour includes the departure and the return to Cogne along a complete ring and 4 nights in refuge. The highlights of this tour are for sure the italian huts, where the friendly atmosphere will make you feel welcomed and relaxed, but the highest point of this tour is literally reached on day 3, when the Gran Paradiso ascent is scheduled: in fact is not common to have the opportunity to touch the top of 4000 meters’ peak by skies, and for sure you will remember this feeling for the rest of your life.

Ski-touring traverse

All-inclusive 5 days/4 nights

1400 meters

good tech and fit level ( 3-4 )

Contact us . We will ask you a few things and we’ll together come up with a customised programme . We will suggest an activity package tailored around your experience and wishes. Particularly if you are interested on this tour but you would like first to do few extra days, please don’t hesitate to tell us; we will be happy to organize other guided days or to help you with suggestions!

In the ALL-INCLUSIVE formula, we think about everything: the offer includes half-board during the tour. Even so, our desire is to satisfied your personal needs and resolve any logistic issue, so don’t hesitate to write us!

The mountain guides will provide the avalanche transceiver kit , shovel and probe free of charge if required. The equipment of skis, skins, boots is required and can be rented in the shop on site (please indicate this by email during registration). It’s recommended to wear breathable fabrics and to dress in layers: see here what to bring ).

Our climbing activities are carried out by a mountain guide within UIAGM/IFMGA certified . In Italy, this is the only certification allowing a guide to accompany clients on the peaks. Besides, local mountain guides most definitely sport the best knowledge and will guarantee your safety and your fun.

April-May on request (private tour)

see below for the group tour dates

For the current season, we guarantee a 100% refund of the deposit, in case of cancellation due to any Covid restriction.

DAY 1: From Cogne to Sella Refuge

The first day we start from the village of Cogne and in about three hours of easy climb we reach Rifugio Sella (2584 meters), where we begin to adapt to the high altitude.

LEVEL: ascent 900 meters.

DAY 2: from the Sella refuge to the Chabod refuge

Today a fascinating and long stage awaits us: we start from the refuge climbing towards the Gran Serra (3552 metres), from here we descend briefly into the Tymorion valley and then climb up to the Gran Neyron pass (3400 metres) from where we can enjoy the spectacular view of the north face of Gran Paradiso. We head in that direction and then take the descent towards the Chabod refuge (2750 metres).

LEVEL: ascent 1300 metres, descent 1300 metres.

DAY 3: Gran Paradiso peak

Today is the most awaited day, we leave the refuge early to cross the spectacular Laveciau glacier and then reach the “Schiena d’Asino”, the ridge from which only a few rocks separate us from the summit. Here we linger and admire the view that takes us from the flat land to embrace all the Alps. Now begins the descent that will lead to the Emmanuele II refuge (2730 metres).

DAY 4: from the Vittorio Emmanuele refuge to the Pontese refuge

Today’s programme includes a gentler climb but also a visit to some particularly wild and unspoilt corners of these mountains. In fact we descend through the Noschetta valley passing by the Ivrea bivouac (2745 metres). Now we climb up to the col dei becchi and then take the last descent to the Pontese refuge (2200 metres).

LEVEL: ascent 900 metres, descent 1200 metres.

DAY 5: from Pontese refuge to Cogne

The last day’s programme includes the crossing of Colle del Teleccio (3304 metres): during the ascent the view of the walls of the Valsoera beak is impressive! The descent takes place through Valeille until reaching the valley floor. From the village of Lillaz it takes a few minutes by taxi to the starting point.

LEVEL: ascent 1100 metres, descent 1750 metres.

• Last Minute

Gran Paradiso Adventure

• guided alpine walk
• 6 nights in mountain refuges/gîte-hostels
• 6 Breakfasts

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Destination

Bosnia and herzegovina, czech republic, liechtenstein, netherlands, north macedonia, switzerland, türkiye/turkey, united kingdom, bike & boat, multi-activity, vessels & boats, advanced search.

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Suggested extensions, trip highlights.

• Trek through stunning alpine scenery in Italy’s first national park
• View ibex and chamois as you walk
• Stay in atmospheric refuges with superb views and hearty cuisine
• Share your walking day with a group of like minded travellers

Deep in Italy's Aosta Valley on the border with France, is Italy's first national park, so declared by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1922 in the tradition of his grandfather who had named it a Royal Game Reserve in 1856 to protect the ibex and chamois populations. As a direct result of this decree, encounters with these animals occur daily in Park, in the valleys and high on alpine passes. With much of the walk over 2000m (up to a maximum altitude of 3152m), it is not suprising that the scenery is exceptional with views to Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn ranges from the high passes and lookouts encountered. Rugged valleys carpeted in wildflowers, rocky snow covered passes and glacial lakes are typical of this alpine paradise. At night the hosts of the rifugi (mountain refuges) welcome you with good quality mountain cuisine and a dining room brimming with atmosphere.

Trip Grading

Moderate to challenging.

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Day 1 Meet Bourg St Maurice, transfer to Ste Foy en Tarentaise, ascend to the refuge (4hrs)

Meals:   L,D

Day 2 Cross border into Italy via the Col du Mont to arrive in the Gran Paradiso NP (6hrs)

Meals:   B,L,D

Day 3 A stunning traverse of the flanks of the Grande Rousse to Refuge Bezzi (5hrs)

Day 4 ascend permanently snow covered col du bassac, descend to refuge benevolo (5hrs), day 5 a sustained ascent to col basei or col rosset and descent to rifugio savoya (5-6hrs), day 6 descend to the historic rifugio vittorio emmanuele ii (2732m) (5hrs), day 7 descend to roadhead then transfer to bourg saint maurice (4hrs), trip concludes.

Meals:   B,L

What's included

• 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties
• 6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges in dormitory style accommodation. Alternatively you can upgrade to 2 nights dorm, 2 nights double room and 2 nights quad - supplement applies.
• Luggage transfer by mule, 1 piece maximum 7kg
• Experienced certified mountain guide

What's not included

• Travel to and from Bourg St Maurice
• Travel insurance - mandatory. As this trip uses guides and ropes you will need mountaineering insurance either supplementary to your standard travel insurance or as part of a mountaineering travel insurance policy. We can advise on a few options.
• Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
• Optional climb of Gran Paradiso peak on the last morning (subject to weather conditions and fitness).
• Storage of luggage
• Items of a personal nature

moderate to challenging   

This trip is graded moderate to challenging and includes daily walks of up to 6 hours with ascents of up to 1200m in a day (average of 800m). There are some stages during the walk with steep uphill, descents, and at times sections of the trail will require care. The accent is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos (subject to weather conditions). You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only. Some passes are permanently snow covered and the snow may be quite deep which makes the trip more challenging. There is also a glacier crossing. At any time during summer, weather conditions may be variable and you should be prepared for all conditions including snow, ice, strong sun and extreme winds. distances walked range from 12 to 15 km each day. As with all our moderate to challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be. Activities as close to the actual activity on your trip are the best training; in this instance walking with and without a pack. This builds leg strength, aerobic capacity and confidence in your ability to travel comfortably with a pack for extended periods. At the same time, you are also comfortable with the layers you like to wear and footwear. Important note: good quality walking boots with ankle support are a pre-requisite for your participation. Runners or shoes without ankle support are not suitable for the conditions encountered on this walk.

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Gran Paradiso Tour

A wonderful ski mountaineering tour starting and ending in the beautiful valley of Cogne, the pearl of the Aosta Valley. From the very first hours of walking the environment becomes magnificent, with the seracs and suspended glaciers of the Gran Paradiso that seem to fall over the fir woods. Then you enter the folds of the frozen giant, between reddish-yellow rock crests and blue seracs, enjoying beautiful descents in isolated and bright environments. The ascent to the summit of Gran Paradiso, the only 4000 meters mountain entirely Italian, which takes place on the third day, completes the challenge.

•   Dates to be defined

This proposal include the accompaniment of

Daniele Macagno

Global Mountain Alpine Guide

He divides his residence between Peveragno and Limone where he also works as a ski instructor. A strong mountaineer with a respectable curriculum, he works as a mountain guide with enthusiasm and professionalism. He is a National Instructor at Alpine Guide Training Courses. He works as an air ambulance technician for 118.

Travel program

1° Appointment in Valnontey - Cogne, Val d'Aosta, unless otherwise indicated by you.

Day 2 to 5: Lauson Glacier, Gran Neyron Glacier, Chabod Refuge (2750 m), Gran Paradiso Peak, Vittorio Emanuele Refuge (2732 m), Noaschetta Glacier, Ivrea Refuge (2770 m, wild and isolated place!), Pontese Refuge, Punta d' Ondezana (m 3492), Glacier of Teleccio and Valleille and other wonders.

Is it for me?

Freeride/ski touring

Travel factor

Culture and folklore

LEGEND: based on our personal experience, the evaluations give a subjective, measured and highly reliable value of the elements that make up the travel experience.

Other informations

Departure and return, guaranteed departure.

Minimum 4 partecipants

IDENTITY CARD FOR EU CITIZENS

The price includes

• 4 overnight stays with half board treatment in refuge in shared rooms
• Presence, assistance and accompaniment of the UIAGM Global Mountain mountain guide
• Excursions every day as per schedule

Price per person

from € 1060

Deposit of € 318

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Gran Paradiso Tour

Moreover than amazing alpine skking days in wild and challenging valleys, we will climb up the highest peak of the massif: gran paradiso 4061 mts., good ski mountaineers -, max 5 per guide, national gran paradiso park, march /april.

To be defined depending on your requests

Per person: 1 person: 1500 € 2 persons: 800 € 3 persons: 550 € 4 persons: 480 € 5 persons: 450 € more than 5 persons: 450 €

The investment includes

• the assistance of the Alpine Guide UIAGM during the whole lenght of the activity.

The investment doesn’t include

• extra expenses like cableways,refuge expenses, public or private transportation expenses.

The Alpine Guide expenses are on the partecipants.

Request Information and Reservations

Description

Soaked in the National Park of the Gran Paradiso, thanks to this trip, we’ll have the possibility to get to know the hearth of the park. The itinerary unrolls through famous and awarded valleys like the valley of Cogne and Valsavaranche; moving to the misterious and little known valleys of Piemonte belonging to the Valle dell’Orco massif an to the Vallone del Piantonetto, to finish our loop tour in Valleile and then Cogne. Durig the 5 days, with itineraries with BSA difficulty, we’ll enjoy the nature rich in various life forms and species from the valley floor to the glacier, 4000 mts high that we wll reach on the third day, reaching the highest italian mountain: Gran Paradiso 4061 mts high. We will sleep in big lodges like the Chabod or Vittorio Emanuele lodge in the Gran Paradiso park and we’ll enjoy the little gems like Pontonese Lodge in Piantonetto, where the warm welcoming of Mara and her spectacular dinners will boost us up to handle the last day of our itnierary in full forces.

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Stradale Torino 80

10034 Chivasso (TO)

P.I: 10508200010

Via San Maurizio 9

10090 Gassino Torinese (TO)

P.I: 10919480011

phone: +393336723181

+44 208 144 8102

[email protected]

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek

Stunning views of Gran Paradiso

Trek through an unspoilt alpine National Park

Enjoy traditional Italian food and hospitality

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure ​

Outstanding fully-qualified guides

All meals included

Experience authentic mountain refuges

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

6 days' trekking

Group size 4-10

Join: Chamonix

Nearest Airport: Geneva

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights in hotels

5 nights in refuges

DIFFICULTY GRADING

Challenging

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Overview

The Gran Paradiso National Park lies between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont regions of Italy. It is an unspoilt area of natural beauty, with stunning mountain views. Our 6-day Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek takes us through a landscape of towering peaks, rugged cliffs, and remote glaciers, with the mighty Gran Paradiso as our backdrop. In the picturesque valleys we will look out for local wildlife and can expect to see ibex, marmots, chamois and eagles. Despite its beauty, the Gran Paradiso National Park has managed to stay free from the crowds, so we can enjoy an unexpected level of peace and solitude as we get off the beaten track. 

What to expect

This circuit trek doesn't include glacial travel, so no specialist equipment is needed, but there is a fair amount of ascent and descent as we travel through this relative wilderness. The mountain refuges we stay in are inaccessible, so there is no vehicle support for the majority of the trip. We will therefore need to carry our own equipment each day, but we don't need to pack sleeping bags or camping mattresses, so we should be able to keep our packs light. We will walk for around 7-9 hours per day, with a couple of longer days, so a good level fitness and hill walking experience is essential. 

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Chamonix

Our trip starts in Argentière in the Chamonix valley. We hold a trip briefing in the chalet, followed by our evening meal.

Accommodation: Chalet, dinner included

Luggage access

Day 2 - From Argentière to the Rifugio Chivasso

We leave our chalet in Argentière and take a trip through the Mont Blanc Tunnel, crossing from France to Italy. We then take the mountain road as far as the hamlet of Pont (1952m). After our first Italian coffee of the trip, our circuit of Gran Paradiso can begin, as we ascend steeply, but slowly, up the side of the valley to the Grand Collet (2840m). We are surrounded by rock spires and ridges as we head under the Pointe de la Roley, and into the large meadows surrounding the Laghi del Nivolet lakes. We continue past the lakes to the Rifugio Chivasso, which is our base for the night. 

Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included

No luggage access

Walking: approx 5-7 hrs

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +1080m / -440m

Day 3 - Trek from the Rifugio Chivasso to the Rifugio Benevolo

After leaving the hut we walk through grassy meadows and alpine flowers as we head to the lakes of Lago Leyta and Lago Rosset. We enjoy beautiful views of the mountains and valleys, and keep our eyes peeled for edelweiss, as we ascend to the Col Rosset (3025m). The landscape becomes steadily wilder and more remote as we climb, and from the col we look down to the glaciated terrain of the Glacier de Lavassey. We traverse the mountainside and descend steadily to the Rifugio Benevolo. The Rifugio Gian Federico Benevolo (2287m) is a traditional hut built in 1930. We always receive a warm welcome here, and ibex can often be seen grazing in the valley to the front.  

Accommodation : Mountain refuge, dinner included

Walking: approx 5-6 hrs

Distance: 12km

Altitude gain / loss: +590m / -870m

Day 4 - Trek from the Rifugio Benevolo to the Rifugio Bezzi

As soon as we leave the hut we start a steady climb towards the Col Bassac Dere at a height of 3085 metres. If the weather is good, and we have made good time, we can climb a further 336 metres and enjoy the panoramic views. We then trek past the Lac de Golette and the Glacier de Golette. From the col we can see the peak of the Grande Sassière in the distance, and the rocky ridgeline ahead. We descend into Valgrisenche, past the cascading streams and waterfalls, and on to our base for the night. At the Rifugio Bezzi we enjoy a warm welcome, hot showers, and an excellent Italian meal.

Walking: approx 5-7 hours

Altitude gain / loss: +830 / -860m

Day 5 - Trek from the Rifugio Bezzi to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame

Today is a long day, but it starts gently with a relatively easy path that traverses the mountain, and climbs gradually. We eventually reach the Chalet de l'Epée, where we can stop for lunch if the guardian is there. From here we climb over the Colle Finestra de Torrent (2875m), followed by a steep descent to the tiny commune, and popular ski resort, of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (1723m). 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Walking: approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 19km

Altitude gain / loss: +1190m / -1690m

Day 6 - Trek from Rhêmes-Notre-Dame to Eaux Rousses

After leaving Rhêmes-Notre-Dame we cross the river, then climb up through the forests and pastures until we reach the Plan de Feya, with its remains of old huts. We eventually climb above the treeline, where the larches and firs are replaced with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. On our way up to the Col d'Entrelor (3007m) we cross meadows and moraine, before enjoying a fabulous view of Gran Paradiso. We spend the afternoon steadily traversing and descending through pastures, and past lakes, until we reach the village of Eaux Rousses (1666m), where we will spend the night. 

Walking: approx 7-8 hrs

Distance: 16km

Altitude gain / loss: +1300m / -1300m

Day 7 - From Eaux Rousses to Chamonix

Our last day is spent in the shadow of Gran Paradiso itself, and is one of the most spectacular days of the trip. We climb up through the larch trees, to more open landscape, where we often wander past herds of grazing chamois and ibex. Our ascent continues up to the Rifugio Federico Chabod (2750m); a charming refuge offering excellent food and wine, along with beautiful views. After lunch we traverse the slopes of Gran Paradiso on our way to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele, enjoying sensational views of the whole of the Valsavarenche. In the cafe at the bottom of the trail we can have a well-earned drink, before taking our transfer back to our chalet in  Argentière.   

Accommodation: Chalet, dinner included

Walking: approx 6-7 hrs

Distance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +1350m / -1250m

Day 8 - Depart Chamonix

Our trip finishes after breakfast.

All accommodation 

All transport as detailed in the itinerary

Fully qualified & experienced International Mountain Leader

Not Included

Travel insurance

Airport transfers

Personal drinks & snacks

Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Book Online

The Park, Waresley, Sandy, Beds SG19 3BS

+44 208 144 8102     

© 2024 Cloud 9 Adventure

Tour of Gran Paradiso

Gran paradiso in lodges.

DURATION 3 DAYS DIFFICULTY HARD PRICE € 539

•   Duration : 3 days
•   Difficulty : 4/5 (hard)
•   Recommended Seasons : Summer
•   Height Diff. : 2100mt / 7000 ft
•   Lenght : 20Km / 14ml
•   Location : Valsavarenche, Rhemes Valley
•   Area : Gran Paradiso -
•   Tags : 3 days hike , 4000 meters views , animals , difficulty 4/5 (hard hikes) , summer

Dates and features of our hikes are flexible: we can build together the adventure that is tailored to your needs.

Tour of Gran Paradiso: 3 days of Deep Nature and Mountains

• Overnight Staying Details two nights in Shelter/Lodge Highest Poing Porta Pass (Colle della Porta) 3002m – 9850ft Setting Alpine meadows, Forests, Glaicers View Special Features and Points of Interest Wildlife, Gran Paradiso Peak view Animals you may encounter Probable: Marmot, Ibex, Chamois – Rarely: Eagle, Volture, Ermine and Fox Family Fit for very sporty children wtih some adjustments

 WHAT YOU NEED

• Backpack (30-50 liters) – Rent Possible
• Hiking Boots – Rent Possible
• Light Sleeping bag – Rent Possible
• 1 t-shirt per day
• 1 jacket against cold
• 1 jacket against rain
• 2 extra socks
• 1 comfortable trouser
• 1 water bottle
• Hat and gloves
• Sun glasses
• Spirit of Adventure!

THE COST INCLUDES

• Hiking Guide
• Trasportation from Torino till the Mountain area and back (free service)
• Overnight staying (directly to the shelter)
• One meal per day (home made dinner at unguarded huts)
• Suggestions for the organization of your trip (free service)

 WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

• Other Meals
• Air ticket till Torino
• Health Insurance

 POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS AND CHANGES

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Home / Trips / Gran Paradiso Ski Tour

Gran Paradiso Ski Tour

The Gran Paradiso Ski Tour traverses this famous National Park which is well known for its wild ambience and abundant wildlife, and makes an ascent of the only 4000m summit entirely within Italy.  We make a circular tour of the massif, climbing the Gran Paradiso (4061m) itself as a grand finale – including the superbly exposed rock ridge to the very summit. On this classic ski mountaineering circuit we will be staying at some of the friendliest huts in the alps – where a warm welcome and convivial atmosphere are the perfect place to relax after a good day on the hill. This trip runs at a low ratio of 1:4, to allow an efficient ascent of the Gran Paradiso on summit day.

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It was a very good tour and we were lucky with the weather. Excellent huts en route and some pretty challenging terrain… I was looking for a challenge and this trip did not disappoint… Neil was great, I expected a very competent mountaineer/skier and he was all of that and more – he went the extra mile for the group, sorting out gear failure, doing afternoon transceiver training… and was an all-round star. I have not done much guided stuff in the Alps and didn’t realise how much the guides input makes or breaks the tour for a client, so the fact that everyone finished with a grin from ear to ear says it all really. Chaumiere Lodge good with cheerful and helpful staff. Thanks for your help. Keith Grant

The week was great thanks.  Weather was amazing (apart from the first Sunday which turned into a really useful and instructional avalanche safety day!) Gav was a really good guide offering lots of advice and providing a great experience – finding powder but always considering the avalanche risk – as you know, the first two days had to be changed, but this led to a very nice night in a hotel in Rhemes-Notre-Dame. Matt Hall

I really enjoyed the trip. Good group – one of the best combinations of fitness, ski ability, company etc I’ve experienced. And it is such a great area – I really enjoyed the Italian huts – not so much the first small one but all the subsequent ones. Also thought Neil was a very good guide. Cheers for now. Jim Edwards

Fab tour, fab guide, fab other folks! Specifically, I particularly appreciated the chance to stay in some less mass sized huts with a bit of character. Route was ace with just the right amount of challenge… You may see me on another tour in the future! Hebe Carus

Really enjoyed the trip – I was just about fit enough, and Neil helped a lot with tips on skinning rhythm and kick-turn technique. Both the hotels were very good, The Corronne was a good hub – I met 2 other people not connected with the tour that I knew. Now saving to get pin bindings for next season. Jeremy Frost

Had a belter of a week. The route was stunning and Neil provided fantastic guidance. My skills on the mountain on ski’s really came on a lot during the week as a result. On the final day when the weather clogged in Neil did a really good job of finding alternatives too. He was great to spend time with during the week. Huts were great, nicest I’ve been in. The route had a remote & wild feel to it; Exactly one of the reasons I signed up for this tour. The variation offered by skiing galciers, steep, exposed and the whole range of snow types have left me with a smile on my face all week since returning. Look forward to more of the same in the future. Dominic Salmon

Many thanks for organising a great trip. We were lucky with the weather and the group and it fully met my expectations. I particularly wanted to commend Gav. He did a great job: very safety conscious; part of the team; explaining his thinking; skilled management of the group; lots of really interesting information about mountain skills and facts (he is a natural teacher); immensely positive; exuded confidence; and made it fun. Paul Lomas

Yes, we dropped lucky with the weather and that combined with the itinerary/huts made it a top trip. All accommodation was great, especially the quirky huts for the first 2 nights and the hotel in Pont. The journey was great, real variety in a relatively compact area. Neil was a great company and helped create a great atmosphere for the trip. His knowledge of the area was clear and he was great at sharing his decision making/logistics etc. Even better he was a Stockport lad! All in all a top trip – already planning for next year. Have a great summer. Clive Harvey

It would be hard to imagine a more successful trip. The group was one of those happy coincidences where everyone gets on, and we were extremely well overseen by Gav – always open to answering questions and very generous with his knowledge. In short, a first rate guide. The hotel, huts, routes and all logistics were excellent. Lastly to you and Al, thanks… David Ibison

The trip was excellent on all counts. Hotel friendly, helpful and rooms more than adequate. Huts all welcoming especially Fond and Chivasso, which being small also have a great deal of added character. Food tasty and plentiful, not a surly patron in sight (there is a good reason to ski in Italy). Gav did everything I could have wanted in a guide. Excellent guiding with a running commentary to logic, always ready to discuss skiing and the mountains, great insight into the group dynamics and kept (albeit a relatively similar skill and fitness group) together. Skiing was great, all 3 main decents we did the snow was on our side and the scrappy bits through the woods to Pont both time were a lot of fun. So I’d keep everything very similar for next year! Looking forward to the ski program for 2017. Jonathan Dilley

Trip overview

The Gran Paradiso Ski Tour traverses this famous National Park which is well known for its wild ambience and abundant wildlife, and makes an ascent of the only 4000m summit entirely within Italy.  We make a circular tour of the massif, climbing the Gran Paradiso (4061m) itself as a grand finale – including the superbly exposed rock ridge to the very summit. On this classic ski mountaineering circuit we will be staying at some of the friendliest huts in the alps – where a warm welcome and convivial atmosphere are the perfect place to relax after a good day on the hill. This trip runs at a low ratio of 1:4, to allow an efficient ascent of the Gran Paradiso on summit day.

This is a popular classic ski tour covering an excellent variety of terrain, including the ascent of a famous 4000m peak . It is also a very ‘ski focussed’ week – linking up summits and passes to ski the best descents in the range. Expect some roped climbing and plenty of glacier skiing , both on the Gran Paradiso itself and at other stages during the tour. Due to the technical terrain traversed on this tour, the full itinerary is only possible in stable weather and snow conditions – however, some of the peaks can be climbed in most conditions and a number of variations are possible. So like all technical ski mountaineering weeks, you need to be prepared for changes to the itinerary if conditions require this.

Trip Reports  >> Report 1, Report 2

Suitability

This is an intermediate to advanced level trip . To take part you should be at Fitness Level 3-4 and Tech Level 3-4 (see our Fitness/Experience guidelines below). You need previous multi day hut touring experience , plus some roped climbing or cramponing experience in order to join this tour. As this is a multi day tour, if you haven’t skied with us before, then we may ask for a reference to confirm your experience/ski ability for the trip. The week involves continuous 6-8 hour days and some big (1000m+) climbs, so you can expect to be skinning for 3-5 hours a day. Type of ascent: 20% uplift and 80% skinning on this tour – approx 5500m skinning up, 7300m skiing down (including Chamonix day tour on day 1.)

Guiding ratio

One IFMGA guide skiing with 4 clients. An Aspirant guide may also join the team, skiing at 2:5 ratio. This is ideal for summiting the Paradiso, with one efficient trip on the summit scramble. 

Included in price

• 6 days of guiding
• All guides expenses
• 3 nights accommodation in the Chamonix valley, including breakfast and evening meal
• 4 nights accommodation in mountain huts, including breakfast and evening meal
• Return travel from Chamonix to the tour start point in Italy

Excluded from price (see factsheet for extra cost estimates)

• Cable cars and taxis
• Lunches and drinks
• Travel to resort
• Equipment hire

Our base for the week is the Chaumiere Mountain Lodge , in Chamonix. The hotel is well set up for touring, with a comfortable bar, good local food and quick access to the local skiing. Hotel rooms are provided on a twin (or occasionally triple) sharing basis, but if you wish to book a single room please let us know and we will confirm availability.  Hotel details can be found on our Accommodation page.

For overnights in the high mountains we will use mountain huts. This tour stays in friendly Italian huts with great food, coffee and a super relaxed atmosphere. For more info please read the Using Alpine Huts article which provides an overview of typical facilities, average costs to help you budget for lunches/drinks, and general info on hut etiquette. Also, our  Ski Touring FAQs  page answers some of the most common questions we are asked about multi day ski touring and logistics etc.

ABTOT Protected

This trip is protected by ABTOT – Alpine Guides Ltd, Membership Number 5394.  For further information, please visit our Financial Protection  page.

Detailed Itinerary

Subject to weather and snow conditions, the plan is as follows. Please note that this is a sample itinerary only – on trips like this, itineraries are always subject to change as the current snow, weather and avalanche conditions need to be taken into account. This is an essential part of safety planning for all backcountry skiing, so please be ready for changes as part of your trip.

You should arrange outward travel on Saturday, arriving by 6-7pm latest in time for the briefing at your accommodation. Your guide will run through kit checks and safety routines , as well as hand out any rental equipment, before going on to discuss the current weather and mountain conditions and how these affect our plans. We’ll have maps and guidebooks of the area to show you, so if you’ve any further questions or last minute requests, then this is the ideal time to bring them up. Overnight in the valley.

Before setting off on the Paradiso Tour, we do a warm up day ski touring in the Mont Blanc Massif to help you find our ski legs again and acclimatize for the week ahead.

The Chamonix Valley is famous for it’s good off piste descents and shorter day tours – ie perfect for a first day. Numerous options are possible depending on the party, weather and snow conditions.

~4-800m ascent, 2-3000m descent ~5-6hrs

Overnight in Chamonix.

AM Drive through the Mont Blanc Tunnel to Italy, then on to Rhemes de Notre Dame.

The ascent to the Benevolo hut from Rhemes Notre Dame follows a scenic trail up the valley, taking around 3 hours. After lunch, there’s time to do a half day tour up the Pointe de Lavassey near the hut.

600m ascent to hut ~3hrs (+450m ascent and descent, 2-3hrs for summit above the hut)

The ascent of Punta Galisia  is a long, steady climb of about 1000m. In the upper half, the Glacier du Fond and Glacier de Basagne must be crossed in order to reach the summit.

The descent follows north facing slopes to just below the Col de Basey, which must then be crossed in order to reach the Chivasso Hut. Stable snow conditions are required in order to make the final descent to the hut, as there are some steeper slopes which cannot be avoided – this will be evaluated before/during the trip.

In recent years the Chivasso hut has not been open during the winter, so instead we have continued into Valsavarenche and stayed at the comfortable Hotel Gran Paradiso, located at the roadhead in a wild and scenic setting.

(If conditions not stable enough to ski this section, then it’s usually possible to head back to valley, drive around and pick up the trail, in order to continue to the Gran Paradiso).

1200m ascent, 900m descent ~5-6hrs.

Leaving the Chivasso Hut, we head northwards following a remote high level traverse running parallel to the French border.

The route takes us across two cols and three glaciers to eventually arrive at the Vittorio Emanuele Hut.

This is another day that requires stable weather and conditions to complete safely, as the line is complex and crosses steep terrain in places – however, there is some excellent skiing as a consequence.

If we stay in the Hotel Gran Paradiso instead of the Chivasso hut – this day becomes a hut approach day, skiing from the valley to the Vittorio Emanuele Hut, perhaps with time for a short tour near the hut in the afternoon.

800m ascent, 700m descent ~6hrs

The Gran Paradiso  is one of the most classic ski mountaineering ascents in the Alps.

It’s a long climb, with over 1300m of skinning in order to reach the final summit rocks. These are quite exposed, so need to be climbed on foot – we’ll be roped up from the ski depot 200m from the top.

Once back at the skis, it’s then time to enjoy one of the best ski mountaineering descents in the Alps. The slopes are at a perfect angle to provide good, challenging skiing and the views are brilliant in all directions.

1350m ascent/descent ~6hrs

The Colle del Grade Etret lies 5km south of the Vittorio Emanuel Hut, right at the head of Val Savarenche.

It’s a great place to visit for the view alone, but more importantly it provides a very long north facing descent down to Pont, where we finish the tour.

700m ascent, 1450m descent ~4-5hrs

PM Taxi back to Rhemes de Notre Dame to retrieve car, return to Chamonix. Final night in the hotel.

Return travel should be arranged on Saturday morning, after your final nights accommodation.

Location and Travel

Your course starts and finishes in the Chamonix valley, at our base in Argentiere – the Hotel De La Couronne. The most common way to reach Chamonix is fly to Geneva, then take a shared minibus taxi transfer to the Chamonix valley (must be booked in advance).

Flights and transfers

• Fly to Geneva with numerous budget airlines, for an overview of the best options check out the excellent Sky Scanner website.
• Airport transfer from Geneva to Chamonix: Mountain Drop-offs offer the best all round service, with regular reliable transfers through the season. They offer a shared minibus taxi service which meets you in the airport and drops you off at the door of your hotel. Book your transfer here and use promo code ALPGUID to receive a discount on your journey.
• Alternatively hire a car at Geneva airport (1.2 hrs drive to Cham).

For flights and other travel options, including train, coach and driving, visit our Travel Planning page.

Fitness and Experience

To enjoy this trip you should be comfortable operating at Fitness Level 3/4, and  Ski Tech Level 3/4:

Fitness Level 3 You do 3-4 hours cv training/sport per week . At this level you are happy doing a 5-6 hr hillwalk, 40-50ml cycle or 3-4hr mountain bike ride without being totally exhausted. If you are into challenges – then the thought of doing a road sportive, or training to do a 1/2 (or maybe even a full) marathon, wouldn’t seem too ridiculous. On foot: you should be able to do the full Langdale Horseshoe: Langdale – Pike of Stickle – Angle Tarn – Bow Fell – Crinkle Crags – Pike of Blisco – Langdale in a day without finishing up exhausted. On skis : you can skin uphill at 300-400m/hr for 3-4 hrs a day (ie 8-1200m of ascent each day) Fitness Level 4 You do 4+ hours CV training/sport per week . A 70+ mile cycle ride, or 20+ mile hillwalk on a weekend would hold no fears. If so inclined, you might be the kind of person who has done longer road sportives/challenge rides, a ~3.30hr marathon or other similar endurance events. Keen hillwalkers who happily knock off 3-4+ munros in a day also have this kind of fitness and endurance. On skis : you can skin at 400m+/hr or could handle 4-6hrs skinning a day. (ie 1000-1400m+ of ascent each day).

Tech Level 3 Confirmed Off Piste Skier . You can put down a reasonable set of tracks in powder, but difficult snow types – eg heavy wet snow, crusts, poor visibility or 40dg slopes – can all cause problems (though you can cope with them safely, if not elegantly!) *Equivalent to Ski Club of GB Off Piste Level: Purple – Advanced* Likely to say : ‘I’d like to handle difficult snow/steep slopes more confidently in better style’ Our Advice : Off piste coaching still useful. Intermediate off piste weeks are at your level too. If you want to get into ski touring, try a touring course or intro level ski tour. If you’re an established ski mountaineer, then intermediate level tours are generally suitable. Tech Level 4 Advanced Off Piste Skier . You can put turns in through heavier snow and on icy 40dg slopes, but difficult breakable crusts and skiing a fresh track off piste in zero visibility are still somewhat challenging! *Equivalent to Ski Club of GB Off Piste Level: Gold – Expert* Likely to say : I’ve been skiing ten/twenty years – I’d like to do your ‘……’ tour. Our Advice : You will enjoy our advanced level trips, but don’t overlook the touring skills and physical fitness needed as well. Mileage is the best way to improve your ability level.

To view all of our Ski Fitness Levels and Off Piste Technical Levels, please visit our Ski Ability page.

If you need to top up your fitness for this trip, please see our Ski Touring Training Advice page.

Hut to Hut Touring Equipment List

Just remember, every extra kilo on your back knocks 10% off your enjoyment on the descents – so try and keep the weight down!

Technical Clothing (more info here )

• Waterproof Jacket – preferably lightweight and breathable
• Overtrousers/ski pants – preferably with side zips
• Fleece mid layer – or equivalent
• Socks – specialist ski socks or a warm loop lined pair of mountain socks
• Wicking thermal top – not cotton please…
• Thermal leggings or ski pants
• Thin inner gloves
• Warm ski gloves or mittens, if you suffer from cold hands
• Spare fleece /lightweight duvet jacket

Personal Items

• Water container – at least 1 litre
• Personal medications and blister kit – regular meds, zinc oxide tape, compeed and painkillers etc
• Lightweight head torch
• Ski goggles
• Sun glasses – CE rated 3 or 4 with side protection
• Sun and lip cream – factor 30+
• Wallet, passport, Alpine Club/BMC card (hut discount) and insurance docs

Hut Overnight Items

• Small wash kit
• Spare lightweight t-shirt/socks/pants
• Silk sheet liner
• (Hut slippers for indoor use, blankets/duvets and pillows are provided by the huts)

Technical Equipment (more info here )

• Rucsac 35/45l – try and avoid ones covered in too many features, just ski and ice axe attachments required
• Ski mountaineering boots
• Skis with touring bindings – some ‘freeride’ bindings are also suitable
• Ski strap – to keep skis together on your rucksack if we need to carry them
• Ski poles – with good size 5cm+ baskets (telescopic poles are not needed)
• Climbing skins – they come with the skis if you hire your kit
• Harscheisen (ski crampons) – they come with the skis if you hire your kit
• Metal snow shovel – must be a full metal shovel (plastic blades don’t work in real avalanche debris!)
• Avalanche probe
• Avalanche transceiver – must be a modern digital model (older analogue models are now obsolete)
• Harness , with 120cm sling and locking karabiner
• Crampons – lightweight model
• Ice Axe – lightweight model
• Helmet – a lightweight ski touring or climbing model – you may need this on certain parts of the route depending on conditions

Your guide will have all other safety kit, first aid and survival equipment.

Recommendations and Advice Visit the Knowledge Base section of our website, where we publish an annual review of the years best new skis, boots and touring equipment, plus a range of other interesting tips and recommendations. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, please get in touch!

Purchasing Equipment Backcountry UK in Otley offer an excellent ski touring boot fitting service, one of the best ranges of ski mountaineering equipment in the UK and top notch advice.

Hiring Equipment Please visit our Equipment Hire page for recommended hire shops in your resort, and Alpine Guides hire equipment price list.

For this trip you must have specialist travel insurance providing medical, emergency search/rescue and repatriation cover for off piste skiing and ski touring, as outlined in the trip itinerary. We also strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation cover , in case you’re unable to attend your trip due to personal circumstances or injury. Please arrange your insurance as soon as your trip is confirmed to run.

Further details can be found on our insurance info page.

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The most breathtaking peaks of the Italian Alps—The Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso, and Mont Blanc

We recommend flying into Milan, Italy for this tour. On the first day, the group will meet at our hotel around 4:00 PM for a casual meet and greet, followed by a short excursion and a welcome dinner. The next day, we will embark on our hiking adventure to Gressoney-la-Trinité.

We recommend flying out of Geneva, Switzerland for this tour. Near the end of our tour, we will depart Italy and travel to Chamonix, France, where we will spend our final night. After a final breakfast at your hotel, we will provide transportation to Geneva Airport (a 1.5-hour shared shuttle) for your departure or onward travel.

Pre- and Post-Tour Travel

Our Alps experts and Destination Specialists can assist with recommendations for your pre- and post-tour travel arrangements. Simply call or email us your plans and we are happy to help make the best of your vacation experience. 

Accommodations

You will stay in carefully selected hotels that capture the authentic charm of the Italian Alps. 

The hallmark of an Alpenwild trip is our exceptional dining, including buffet breakfasts & many dinner options. Meals, starting with dinner on the day of arrival, buffet breakfasts, rifugio and picnic lunches, are included. Alcoholic beverages, diinner on Day 7,  and related gratuities are not included.

The services of an expert trip leader

All accommodations (11 nights in hand selected hotels) 

All meals as shown (B = Breakfast, S = Snack, D = Dinner)

Shuttle transportation from Milan to the start of the tour and return to Geneva Airport at the end of the tour

Ground transportation throughout 

All admissions, excursions, and activities

Fully supported with luggage transfer

Not Included

Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine) with meals

Trip insurance  (can be purchased separately)

Items of a personal nature (laundry, phone calls, room service)

Extra shuttles if you choose not to walk

Optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff

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How to Plan a Spectacular Day Trip to Gran Paradiso National Park

Want to visit the spectacular Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy? In this post, we share the best things to do and how to get the most from your visit. Read on to start planning your adventure to Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso !

What’s in our guide to visiting Gran Paradiso National Park?

When you’re in Turin, the Alps call to you. The mountains arc around the city, far away enough to be mysterious, close enough to be incredibly tantalizing. While wandering Torino, for all that I love the city, part of me just keeps thinking “Why aren’t we in the Alps right now?”

The great news is that it’s easy to visit Gran Paradiso National Park (or Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, if you want to practice your Italian) from Turin.

The park is nestled in the Alps on the border with France, not far from the city. Driving takes a little more than an hour, or you can hire a guide to take you, or even go by public transport.

Whether you want to take a gentle stroll through an Alpine meadow or challenge yourself on an almost vertical hike up above 2,000 m (6,500 ft), you’ll find the opportunity in Gran Paradiso.

The bad news is that there are so many places to hike and so little information available, especially in English, that it can be tough to decide where to go for your day trip!

Start with the Gran Paradiso tourist map — which we didn’t discover until after our visit — which will be big help in planning your trip.

We opted for a challenging day hike, taking us to the peak of Punta Quinseina, just above 2200 m high. Luckily we drove up to about 1500 m first, otherwise we never would have made it to the top!

Though the hike was marked as “medium” on all our apps, it was more than enough challenge for us for that day, leaving our legs sore and our knees aching by the end. It was also incredibly rewarding.

So, if you’re interested in exploring the mountains and finding some time to reconnect with yourself through nature, read on to discover…

How to do a Spectacular Day Trip to Gran Paradiso National Park

Before you start reading the details, watch our short video of our day hike in Gran Paradiso to get inspired!

Also don’t miss your complete Turin travel guide , your guide to visiting the Mole Antonelliana , the best day trips from Turin , and our collection of travel tips for Europe .

What is Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso?

The 700 square kilometres (that’s 173,000 acres, fact fans!) of protected area that makes up the park is in the northwest corner of Italy, in Aosta and Piemonte provinces. On its west side, the park borders France and connects with Parc National de la Vanoise.

Gran Paradiso is in the Graian Alps, so you can expect lots of Alpine terrain if you decide to visit.

The park’s origin story is a little sad — it all began because people love to kill wildlife. The area had been a hunting ground for the royal family and was also frequented by poachers. It was originally protected by Vittorio Emmanuel as a Royal Hunting Reserve, so that the Alpine ibex would be protected from poachers (and reserved for Royal hunters).

In 1922, the land was donated by the royals to Italy and it became Italy’s first national park. Though the ibex were supposed to be protected, the law was not enforced at first and the population dwindled to dangerously low numbers.

Now, they are properly protected and the ibex population is healthy and thriving! They are also daredevils .

Things to do in Gran Paradiso National Park

Hike to your heart’s content.

Hiking is, of course, one of the main things to do in Gran Paradiso. There are more than 700 km of marked trails to try out, so you could go for a very long walk and never take the same route twice.

Climb Every Mountain

OK, you probably climb every mountain in the park, but there are lots of opportunities for rock climbing and ice climbing in Gran Paradiso.

For climbers, basing yourself in Turin or somewhere on the Piedmont side of the park is perfect, as this is where you’ll find the best climbing routes in the park. Check out the Orco Valley and the Soana Valley for incredible climbing opportunities.

Sleep in a Refuge

If you’ve hiked to a refuge hut anywhere in North America, you might be picturing a small wooden hut, with some sleeping bunks, a fireplace, and not much else.

But in Gran Paradiso, many of the hiking huts (refugio) are European-style. That is to say, they are almost full-service hotels, with restaurants and comfortable beds. Your chance to adventure in style.

Different huts offer different services, so make sure you know what to expect and what you need to bring before you go.

Spot the Wildlife

On our hike up Punta Quinseina, we kept our eyes and ears open for marmots. Alas, it was a little early in the season and we didn’t get to se any. The only wildlife we saw, apart from lots of soaring birds, was the not-so-rare Italian hang-glider. They did make for an impressive site, soaring through the air at 1500 m!

Marmots do populate the park though. These plump rodents evolved to deal with the harsh mountain climates, and can hibernate for up to 9 months of the year. You’ll often hear marmots before you see them. They make a high-pitched chirp that sounds a lot like a bird, and, if you get to close, their chirping will increase in frequency.

Deeper in the park, you might see the Alpine ibex (also know as the Steinbock) which is the symbol of the park. As we said in the intro, it’s because of these long-horned wild goats that the park was established in the first place.

You might also spot a chamois, another species of goat that looks like the steinbock but with shorter horns. However, female steinbocks also have shorter horns, so it’s easy to get them confused.

Keep your eyes to the skies to spot golden eagles, impressive birds of prey that feed on marmots and other small mammals — but are sometimes big enough to make off with a small goat. Yikes!

Finally, a wolf pack has recently taken residence in the Aosta Valley. You probably won’t see wolves (which is a good thing) but you may hear them howling at the moon.

Get on Your Bike

If you’d rather roll than walk, there are plenty of bike trails in the park , from fully paved gentle routes to all-out technical mountain bike trails. Many routes pass through some of the historic Alpine villages that skirt the lower edges of the park.

Explore a Winter Wonderland

If you happen to visit Italy in winter, strap on your snow shoes and hit the park trails. You can also cross-country ski, downhill ski, and go ice climbing in Gran Paradiso.

Visit the Botanical Garden

If you want a little less energetic outing, the Paradisia Alpine Botanic Garden is a great destination. Located on the Aosta Valley, this 10,000 square metre garden gives you a chance to see Alpine flora up close.

The best time to go is mid-June to mid-July, when you can take a guided tour or visit independently using the garden brochure to navigate.

How to Get to Gran Paradiso National Park from Turin

There are several different valleys in Gran Paradiso that all offer access to the park. The Valle d’Aosta valleys (Valsavarenche and Valle di Cogne) are the most popular but also the furthest from Torino. If you want to minimize your drive time, look for activities in the Orco Valley or Valle Soana.

Getting to Gran Paradiso By Car

Though driving is the quickest and easiest way to get to Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, it can also be quite nerve-wracking if you’re not used to the distinctive driving techniques that Italians employ.

Driving in Italy is truly mind-boggling / terrifying!

Once you’re off the busy city streets and fast-moving highways, you’ll also have to contend with winding, narrow roads, often single-lane, that switchback their way up the mountains.

If you don’t have a lot of driving experience and/or nerves of steel, I’d suggest you find another way to get there.

But, if you want drive to Gran Pardiso, here’s how:

From Turin to Valle Orco, point your GPS towards Rivarolo Canavese. From there, take road 460, which follows the route of the Orco River. Turn right at Pont Canavese, onto the SP 47 to reach the Soana Valley.

Getting to Gran Paradiso By Bus or Train

From Turin, you can take the bus to Rivarolo ( line 131 Torino to Rivarolo ) or the train from Torino Porta Susa to Rivarolo and Pont stations . From there, public bus lines serve Valle Orco ( line 137 Rivarolo or Pont to Locana or Noasca ) and Val Soana ( line 140 Pont to Valprato Soana ).

To get to the Aosta Valley from Torino, follow the instructions here →

A Fantastic Day Hike from Turin

If you’re looking for a rewarding day hike within easy reach of Turin, you can try the same hike we did — up Punta Quinseina di Santa Elisabetta. Technically this hike is not inside Gran Paradiso but it’s close enough to get the idea!

The hike starts at the tree line and goes up from there, so you get to experience panoramic views of the foothills and the mountains the entire way. No dull forested trail where you can’t see anything!

If you don’t like climbing, this one is not for you.

It starts with a steep uphill, which takes you to a gorgeous alpine meadow. Spend a little time taking in the views of the Alps and watching the hang-gliders soar above your head. There’s also a small stone hut which is interesting — but resist the temptation to go inside. The structure looks fundamentally unsound.

Past the meadow, the path turns upwards again, and continues on a steep incline until you reach the summit. The trail is rocky and somewhat technical. You’ll need hiking shoes with good grip and support to be comfortable.

As you climb, you’ll be rewarded by the continually incredible views. The most magnificent one is at the summit, where you experience 360 degrees of Alpine perfection.

There’s a guest book at the summit, hidden inside the small cabinet connected to the steel cross. Look for our entry and make sure to leave your own!

If you haven’t had enough after you summit, you can continue along the ridge trail and off into the wilderness. As we took about 3 hours to climb up, we’d had plenty of walking and did not extend our hike!

How to Get to Punta Quinseina

The drive from Turin to the Punta Quinseina trailhead is an experience in its own right. The first part is simple highway driving from Turin to Castellamonte (though that didn’t prevent us from getting lost and having to backtrack).

From Castellamonte to Colleretto Castelnuovo, it’s quiet, well maintained country roads. There are lots of speed cameras, especially around the villages, so stick to the speed limit. The fines are around €70, so not worth it!

After Colleretto Castelnuovo, which is a charming sub-alpine town that’s worth a stop, things start to get interesting.

A paved but extremely narrow road leads out of town. Soon you’ll find yourself on a series of (seemingly never-ending) tight switchbacks up the side of the mountain. It is steep and narrow — only wide enough for one car in many places. If you aren’t a confident driver with nerves of steel, you might think twice before attempting it.

We didn’t meet a single car coming down as we were going up, which was a blessing, because I was not prepared to back down that winding ribbon of road.

If you start the drive and feel like it will never end, just think about the cyclists in the Giro d’Italia — this road was part of their route in 2019. It must be absolute murder trying to cycle up here!

Practical Details

Hike stats. 8 km, 787 m elevation gain, 2,231 m highest elevation, out & back, 4–6 hours for return trip.

Hike summary. There is very little flat terrain on this hike. It’s mostly up, up, up. The trail markers are painted onto rocks along the way, with only a few real signposts.

Go when the weather is clear, as it would be easy to lose the trail in fog. In fact, we managed to lose the trail a couple of times on a perfect, sunny day.

Parking & facilities. There is a small parking lot at the foot of the hike with picnic tables and a public restroom.

Trailhead. The trailhead is a bit hard to find and I think we didn’t manage to start the hike in the right spot. To find the trail from the car park, walk up the paved road until the paving ends.

A road on your left leads to a popular hang-gliding launch spot. Continue past this road on the dirt road that leads toward a small farm. Turn left into what looks like the farm driveway, and you’ll find the trailhead on the left, just before reaching the farmhouse.

There’s an alternative trailhead that starts just behind the hang-gliding launch spot. It’s a little harder to find and starts the hike off with a very steep climb. But it’s do-able, as it’s the one we took!

Use the AllTrails map here to find the directions →

What to bring. As usual, bring all the typical hiking necessities you would bring on any wilderness hike. This includes first aid kit, plenty of water, extra snacks, and warm layers.

We went in early June, and there was still a little snow at the peak, though typically you might find more snow at this time of year. At the bottom, we were in t-shirts and by the time we reached the top, we needed winter hats, gloves, sweaters, and jackets, so be prepared to layer up!

The weather can change extremely quickly up here, so be prepared for any conditions.

Hiking poles would be an asset, for balance and to save your knees on the steep descent. We did the hike without, but I would have loved to have a pair with me.

Also bring a GPS-enabled device and an offline mapping app, so you have assistance in finding your way if you lose the trail (like we did a couple of times). You don’t necessarily need a paper map if you stick to the trail and don’t wander off, but it can be an extra safety asset if your phone dies.

Guided Adventures in Gran Paradiso

If you’re not comfortable hiking Gran Paradiso on your own, or you just want to increase the adventure quotient, you can hire a guide to organize everything and take you to the park.

Mountain Guides Society of Gran Paradiso

Variety of trip lengths and difficulty

The official park mountain guides organization operates every day all year long. They are based in the Aosta Valley but can organize an activity for you closer to Torino if you don’t want to drive that far.

They can guide you on a huge range of activities, from trekking, canyoning, and rock climbing, to snowshoeing, off-piste skiing, and ice climbing.

Explore Gran Paradiso National Park with Trekking Alps

3 days, €449 per person

Rated as 4/5 on the difficulty level, this exciting tour will immerse you in the wonders of Gran Paradiso and give you a chance to completely disconnect from everyday life (to forge a deeper connection to yourself, naturally).

Accommodation is in mountain huts — which are more like rustic hotels, where you get a soft bed and a hot meal — in the wilderness. You can do this as a private hike, or join a scheduled group tour. You can also arrange a self-guided trek through Trekking Alps.

Whether you just want a few hours outside, or you want to challenge yourself on a multi-day hike or back country skiing trip, Gran Paradiso is ideal. Much less crowded than the French Alps, this spectacular corner of Italy offers a true getaway — a place where you can immerse yourself in nature and truly disconnect from everyday stress.

Whatever adventure you’re looking for, big or small, you’ll find it in Gran Paradiso National Park.

We hope this short guide to Gran Paradiso helps you plan your trip. Leave at least one day in your Turin itinerary to visit this magnificent park in the northwest corner of Italy. But if you have time, we recommend spending at least three days to get the most out of the park.

♥   Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen

We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J

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About Jane Mountain

Hi, I'm Jane, founder and chief blogger on My Five Acres. I've lived in six countries and have camped, biked, trekked, kayaked, and explored in 50! At My Five Acres, our mission is to inspire you to live your most adventurous life and help you to travel more and more mindfully.

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Novosibirsk tourist information and tourism, (novosibirsk, siberia, russia), novosibirsk tourist information and tourism: top sights, more novosibirsk information / fast facts and orientation.

• Country: Russia (Russian Federation)
• Location: Novosibirsk Oblast region / Southern Siberia
• Status: city / capital of Siberia
• Area: approximately 193 square miles / 500 square kilometres
• Population: approximately 1.5 million
• Language: Russian
• Currency: Russian Ruble (RUR)
• Time zone: UTC / GMT +3
• Country dialing code: +7
• Telephone area code: 383
• Average daily Novosibirsk January temperature: -14°C / 7°F
• Average daily Novosibirsk July temperature: 25°C / 77°F

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