Gran Paradiso Alta Via 2, Private guided
Our Gran Paradiso traverse follows the best sections of the old Alta Via 2 path as it crosses high mountain passes and cuts through the heart of the stunning Gran Paradiso National Park.
8 days holiday | 6 days hiking | Stunning and wild
Formerly King Vittorio Emanuele's royal hunting reserve, the Gran Paradiso is Italy’s oldest national park and one of the wildest and most idyllic parts of the Alps. The park offers amazing walking trails and is rich in alpine flora and fauna.
The ancient Alta Via 2 path cuts straight through the national park, through deep valleys and over high mountain passes, which makes it an excellent way to explore this often overlooked part of the Alps. A true hidden gem!
During the day, you’ll be treated to spectacular walking in an unbeatable alpine setting, whilst at nigh you’ll relax in welcoming and atmospheric Italian mountain accommodation. There’s plenty plenty of great Italian food and hospitality to accompany you. Belissimo!
As a private guided trip it is possible to tailor-make the trip to your preferences.
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Farm houses occupy green meadows along the Alta Via 2 trail -
Steep and rugged terrain is leading to the 3299m high Col Lauson on the Alta Via 2 in the Gan Pardiso national park -
Colourful m pastures on the Alta Via 2 in the Gran Paradiso national park -
Crossing a mountain pass with a view to the Gran Paradiso summit. -
A marmot is having a rest on a rock in a green high mountain pasture -
Crossing a stream with a view to the Gran Paradiso mountain, which at 4061m is the highest mountain in the region and shares it's name with the Gran Paradiso national park. -
Views of steep valleys, glaciers and mountain tops are frequent on the Alta Via 2 -
The wild life is rich and we normally cross Ibex on our traverse of the Gran paradiso national park -
Col Bassac Déré at 3082m is one of several high mountain passes on the Alta Via 2 Gran Paradiso traverse -
The popular and confortable rifugio Bezzi in Valgrisenche -
Mountain lake reflections in the Gran Paradiso national park -
There are several mountain passes over 3000 meters on the Alta Via 2 Gran Paradiso traverse -
Old barn in high mountain pasture over looking the Gran Paradiso -
Shepherds hut below rifugio Vittorio Sella
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Aosta, Italy
You meet with your guide for welcome and briefing on the Gran Paradiso tour ahead in the afternoon. There may be time for a tour of the beautiful old roman town. The evening is free to explore the many bars and restaurants at your leisure.
Day 2: From Aosta to Cogne and Vittorio Sella hut
We transfer by local bus to the village of Cogne, where we have time to look around the beautiful old village and have lunch before we start the walking. We walk through meadows to the hamlet Valnontey before we ascend to the Vittorio Sella hut.
Day 3: From Vittorio Sella hut to Eaux Rousses
From the hut it's a fairly easy ascent to our first high pass. Over 3200 meters high, the wild and rugged Col Lausonne is a spectacular spot and we have an option to go even further by climbing to the Punta del Tuf, which is nearly 3400 meters. It's now all downhill, via a stunning valley where Ibex roam, to the small hamlet of Eaux Rousses .
Day 4: From Eaux Rousses to Rifugio Chivasso
After a good nights sleep in the charming Hostellerie du Paradiso, we have a long day ahead of us. We climb through the idyllic Djouan pastures, and pass the Djouan lake, on the trail to the Colle di Manteau. Here, we are greeted by spectacular views of the Gran Paradiso mountain. A long traversing descend takes us to the characterful Rifugio Chivasso.
Day 5: From Rifugio Chivasso to Rifugio Benevolo
Another high pass awaits us today - the Col Bassei at nearly 3200 meters. At the pass, there's an option to climb to the summit of the 3338 meter high Punta Basei. The descend to Rifugio Benevole is steep and rocky to start with, but soon changes to lush, green pastures.
Day 6: From Rifugio Benevolo to Rifugio Bezzi
We leave the friendly Benevolo hut behind and climb via the Comba di Goletta to the Col Bassac Dere. This cwm was recently occupied by glacier and is akin to a lunar landscape, surrounded by the remains of the Goletta glacier and rocky ridge lines. At the pass, we have the option to climb the Becca della Traversierre before commencing our interesting descend, edging the impressive Gliairetta glacier, to the Bezzi hut.
Day 7: From Rifugio Bezzi to Valgrisenche and Aosta
Our last walking day offers a very pleasant descending traverse above the Valsaverenche valley into the historic village of Valsgrisenche, where we transfer back to our hotel in Aosta. The evening is free in Aosta to explore the bars and restaurants at your leisure, but a group dinner is normally arranged.
Day 8: Depart Aosta, Italy
After breakfast you check out of your hotel. This is the end of the tour.
TRIP DETAILS:
Grade:
Suitable for mountain walkers with good fitness and stamina and an adventurous spirit.
Duration:
8 days holiday with 6 days walking.
Accommodation:
2 nights in hotels, 1 night in auberge and 4 nights in mountain huts.
Group size and guides:
Max. 8 clients with 1 certified English-speaking guide (UIMLA).
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and organisation by Alpine Treks
Expert tour planning and organisation by Alpine Treks
6 days guiding by English-speaking certified guide (UIMLA)
7 nights accommodation
Meals (7x breakfast and 5x dinners)
Planned road transportation during the trek
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to and from Aosta
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Unplanned transportaion if/when used