The Gran Paradiso High Route
The Gran Paradiso National Park is situated in northern Italy, close to the French border, just south east of the Mont Blanc massif.
The park was established as a hunting ground by the Italian king Victor Emmanuel in 1856. 

Hiking Gran Paradiso

Paradoxically his protection of the wildlife there, albeit for his own sport, has lead
to this being an area renowned for its fauna, with ibex and chamois roaming the area in abundance.
The Gran Paradiso itself at 4061m is the highest peak entirely in Italy.



The trek takes an east to west traverse of the park. The region is split by a series of valleys running north - south. The trek climbs over high mountain passes and descends to these valleys, each with its own character. The few villages we pass through are traditional mountain farming settlements, with beautiful old rural houses. It is a fabulous trek, with its wild scenery and high cols.
Nights are spent in mountain refuges and hotels enjoying superb Italian hospitality.

Hiking Gran Paradiso

We spend the first two nights on the trail at the same hut. This means that we can go for a day walk on day 2 carrying very light sacs - if weather permits we'll do a great hike to a non-glaciated summit. We do the same thing later in the trek and this breaks up the journey and gives us more flexibility. Mid-way through we stay in a very comfortable hotel where we'll live it up with a delicious meal and good wine. First and last nights are spent in the Roman city of Aosta....a buzzing town with lots of historical interest as well as great café life. 

marmot in the Alps Ibex in the Alps

PRICE: 1475€

DATE: Meet 15 July 2018

MEETING PLACE: Hotel Turin Aosta

TRAVEL: The nearest airport is Turin. Geneva is another option.

ACCOMMODATION: The cost of all accommodation - bed, breakfast and evening meal - is included in the price of the trek, except for dinner the last night in Aosta. Accommodation will be in hotels (3 nights) and mountain refuges - the 2nd one of which is quite up-market. In the refuges we stay in dormitories, although early booking could get you a double room at the 2nd hut; in the hotels the price is costed on double occupancy of rooms. At both mountain huts there are good facilities including hot showers. The dormitories are equipped with blankets and pillows. The food is always excellent, filling and plentiful and the ambience is fun and warm.

CURRENCY: You’ll need to buy picnic foods, drinks, as well as souvenirs and postcards of course. Also, travel to and from Aosta at the beginning and end of the trek. The € is the currency in Italy. Please note that credit cards are not widely accepted in mountain huts, so be sure to have plenty of cash.

EQUIPMENT: A detailed list will be sent on booking. If you follow my advice you can keep your sac pretty small and light. 

DIFFICULTY OF THE WALK: 2/3   This means it’s a trip that will appeal to people who are looking for a challenging and energetic mountain trek. However, this trek will also appeal to those who are also looking for comfortable mountain accommodation with reasonable facilities. There will be lots of uphill and down every day and you need to be in good hiking shape but it won’t be relentless and we will take plenty of time to enjoy the views. The terrain will at times be rugged and you do need to be a keen hillwalker to enjoy this week. Expect to be outside for around 8 hours a day. This time is NOT spent just walking! There’s plenty of time for rests, taking photos, eating, drinking and of course just enjoying the views.

As for all my trips, I strongly recommend that you get plenty of aerobic exercise before the trek and make sure that your boots and sac are comfortable. Then you’ll get the maximum enjoyment out of what will be a wonderful holiday.


For a more detailed programme email me