Gran Paradiso Traverse —
Hiking and walking in the Italian Alps
Created in 1922 as one of Europe's first National Parks, the Gran Paradiso National Park has come to symbolize how man and nature can interact without negative consequences for each other.
The Gran Paradiso National Park has an abundance of wildlife: The ibex, Europe's largest Alpine mammal, can be seen grazing high above the valley floor on most walks. Its smaller cousin, the Chamois, is also a permanent member of the park, so is the Royal Eagle and the Marmot.
Our trekking journey begins in the city of Aosta, capital of the Val d'Aosta, an ancient Savoy town, not far from the Grand Saint Bernard Pass, where Romans created a thriving commercial hub.
Based for one night in Aosta itself, we will use the afternoon and evening to explore this nearly 2'000-year old city. If we have time, we will organize a guided tour by an English-speaking local guide, to discover Aosta's hidden treasures.
Using the excellent trail system called 'mulattiere', or mules' paths, we will climb through forests before reaching alpine terrain and Italy's famous mountain huts or 'rifugios', mostly family-run restaurants and hotels.
After the Gran Paradiso traverse we will spend two days around Courmayeur and the majestic south side of the Mont Blanc Massif. Walks will take us up the Mont de la Saxe ridge, where views of Mont Blanc, Grandes Jorasses and the Peuterey summits unfold before us.
This is a relatively arduous trip with elevation gains up to 1'500m (4'900ft) per day. Some scrambling is involved as we skirt glaciers and moraines to reach high passes that are often above 3'000m (9'840ft).
We will have ample time to taste the cuisine of this unique region of Italy. Autonomous since 1948, the Aosta valley combines cuisine from both France and Italy, and blends traditional Italian dishes with local delicacies.
Client References
"Louis — A sincere thank you for a fantastic tour of the Gran Paradiso! Beyond my expectations and they were very high. Your expertise, patience and companionship were greatly appreciated. Thanks again for a great adventure - one I will always remember." D. Wood, IN » More references
