Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek
Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek
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Stunning views of Gran Paradiso
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Trek through an unspoilt alpine National Park
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Enjoy traditional Italian food and hospitality
Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure
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Outstanding fully-qualified guides
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All meals included
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Experience authentic mountain refuges
Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Dates and Prices
AT A GLANCE
7 nights
6 days' trekking
Group size 4-10
Join: Chamonix
Nearest Airport: Geneva
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights in hotels
5 nights in refuges
DIFFICULTY GRADING
8
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
No luggage access
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.
Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included
No luggage access
Walking: approx 5-7 hours
Distance: 12km
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
No luggage access
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.
Accommodation: Mountain refuge, dinner included
No luggage access
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
Luggage access
Walking: approx 6-7 hrs
Distance: 17km
Altitude gain / loss: +1350m / -1250m
Day 8 - Depart Chamonix
Our trip finishes after breakfast.
Included
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All accommodation
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All meals
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All transport as detailed in the itinerary
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Fully qualified & experienced International Mountain Leader
Not Included
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Flights
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Travel insurance
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Airport transfers
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Personal drinks & snacks
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Tips
Tour del Gran Paradiso Trek: Book Online