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Take on an epic trekking adventure in one of the last hidden treasures of the Alps, Gran Paradiso National Park. This rugged landscape will test you as you hike over high passes, lush green meadows and glacial trails up to the summit of the highest mountain entirely in Italy. Your mission: to conquer the awesome summit of Mt. Gran Paradiso, the highest peak entirely within Italy's borders
The Gran Paradiso National Park is Italy's first national park and also one of the oldest in Europe. It's an amazing place to explore with its network of huts and refugios providing plenty of areas for epic trekking!
You will be trekking through pristine trails that wind through majestic mountains, dense forests and breathtaking glacial valleys whilst you enjoy views of the surrounding peaks of Mt Blanc, Monte Rosa and Mont Viso. Get ready for close encounters with the park's awesome wildlife such as the iconic ibex, agile chamois, and adorable marmots. You'll also get to take on the summit of Gran Paradiso at over 4000m(4061m), and of course, delve deep into Italian culture with the wine and cheese on the menu pretty much everywhere you go. This is one heck of a trek and certainly one to tick off your list.
Experience required
The Gran Paradiso Trek and Summit is suitable for trekkers who can walk for over 6 hours on mountain trails on consecutive days with a rucksack. The summit day is approximately 10 hours from start to finish with an altitude gain of 1300m, so not an easy ascent by any means but more than achievable with the right training and taking it slow. Gran Paradiso is not considered a technical peak however it's ideal if you do have experience walking in crampons and use of an ice axe. You can get some instruction of using these on the trip but as with anything, the more time you've got to practice, the easier it will be. To reach the summit you will be attached to fixed ropes and will have to cross a short but very exposed section. Our highly experienced alpine climbing guide will be with you the entire time to ensure a safe climb and make sure we get those summit high fives.
Equipment
We can forward a detailed equipment list upon booking. Over the years, we have gained an incredible amount of experience and expertise in outdoor equipment and clothing. We have applied this to each trip that we offer and recommend what we believe to be the most suitable gear for your trip. We have also teamed up with outdoor equipment experts Cotswold Outdoor and other outdoor brands for discounts on your equipment which you'll get access to once you book.
Please Note
This trip requires a minimum number of 4 EverTrekkers to guarantee it goes ahead. We will notify you at the time full payment is due (6 months prior to trip start date) if the trip going ahead or if the minimum number of bookings has not been achieved.
We therefore recommend you do not incur any non refundable expenditure until you have received confirmation that your trip is guaranteed to proceed.
We recommend you read our minimum number T&Cs (Section 6c) before booking: https://evertrek.co.uk/about-us/terms-conditions
As a responsible trekking company, your safety is our top priority. During the trek, the team leader or guide assigned to your group is the person responsible for your safety. These team leaders are also strictly instructed to follow the provided itinerary. However, in case of unfavourable situations like poor weather, bad health of a group member or unforeseen natural disasters, the team leaders or guide hold every authority to alter the itinerary provided to you. In such a situation, we expect and request you to be flexible and cooperative.
Ciao! Welcome to Italy!
Upon arrival at Malpensa Airport in Milan, you'll meet the rest of your group and catch your private transfer to Aosta, deep in the Italian Alps. Normally flights get into Milan just after lunch so all of these transfers will be between 2-4 pm and should take about two hours. Take in the views as you head into Aosta Valley, famous for many things but especially its wine, cheese and awesome mountain views. After you check into your room at the hotel in Aosta, depending on your arrival time, you should have some free time to explore the old town. If you're into a little bit of history you can check out the beautiful and ancient Roman ruins. Tonight you'll get to know the rest of your group over a glass of the local red, definitely some cheese and sample the epic gastronomies of Aosta.
Please aim to arrive at Malpensa by 3:00 PM.
Meals: -/-/D
It's time to get trekking! After grabbing some breakfast at the hotel you and the rest of the group will take another private transfer to Eaux Rousses (Valsavarenche, 1667m). Here you will meet your trekking guide and have a briefing before starting on the trails.
The trek starts by following a gravel road from the village, passing through some woodland before reaching the open meadows to the ranger's hut at Orvieilles. You'll trek past the gorgeous Djouan lakes before it's time to stretch those legs as the trail gets steeper on the way to your first high pass, Col Entrelor pass (3007m). The views from this vantage point are something else as you can look over to the Gran Paradiso massif and the snow and ice on it's flanks. This stretch taking you over the high pass is challenging but will really help you acclimatize to the altitude. In parts of the trail here, you'll be grabbing hold of a cable as you step onto iron or wooden steps. This part isn't technical but it's really useful if there is any snow about. Once you're over this part, you'll reach some gentler trails to the old village ruins at Plan des Feyes before finally reaching Rifugio delle Marmotte (2142m), where you’ll rest and spend the night. An awesome first days trekking!
A+ (m.): 1340
D- (m.): 850
Length (km): 12
Expected duration (h): 7
Meals : B/D
It's a day for epic views again! As you leave the scenic Val di Rhemes, one of the most iconic valleys in Gran Paradiso National Park you'll descend from Rifugio delle Marmotte down to the little quaint village of Rhemes de Notre Dame (1722m). Once down at the valley floor, your group will follow the river and a nice easy trail leading to the end of the valley. Take a breather before you take the trails upwards passing the great waterfalls, across open pastures and finally reaching your stop for the night, Rifugio Benevolo (2287m). As you'll hopefully be reaching this spot nice and early in the day, you'll take an afternoon acclimatisation hike to the scenic viewpoint at Goletta Lake. This awesome place, located between Granta Parei (3.387m) and Becca della Traversiere (3.337m), offers a magnificent panorama over towards the Gran Paradiso and its sister peaks (if you climb slightly from the lake). Once you've spent some time here, you'll take it slow back down to Rifugio Benevolo where you'll be spending the night.
A+ (m.): 560 (+460 with Goletta lake)
D- (m.): 400 (+460 with Goletta lake)
Length (km): 10 (+7 with Goletta lake)
Expected duration (h): 3h30min (+2h30 min with Goletta lake)
Meals : B/D
I've heard you like high passes?!! Of course you do and today is an epic one as you trek up over Col Rosset pass (3024m). You'll be trekking along the Gran Vaudala valley, trying to look where you are going without getting distracted by the towering peaks above. You'll reach a section where there are some scrambly sections as you near the top of the pass. Your lung-busting efforts will be rewarded for sure as you'll get great views over the Gran Paradiso range and its glaciers. You'll get to spot some of the sections that you'll be trekking and climbing up in a day or so.
This is one of the best days and one of your best chances to see the famous beasts in this part of the world, the mountain ibex and chamois, so keep a sharp lookout for these beautiful creatures. After crossing the high pass, the descent starts steep but not technical, leading to easier terrain and the mesmerising Nivolet Plateau lakes. As you draw your eyes away from these lakes, you'll follow the glacial Savara river down the valley and descend to the village of Breuil and your stop for the night, Rifugio Tetras Lyre (1996m), passing by beautiful meadows with breathtaking views keeping you company all of the way!
A+ (m.): 800
D- (m.): 1100
Length (km): 16
Expected duration (h): 6
Meals : B/D
You'll be leaving the valley floor for the last time before the Gran Paradiso summit as you’ll take the trails heading up through the forest and the meadows along the old kings path to reach the rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II (2719 m). This is your base camp and the classic starting point for most climbs of Gran Paradiso, so you'll be spending plenty of time here acclimatising and preparing for the summit attempt tomorrow. There will be heaps of opportunities to hike the trails in and around this place, reaching the epic glacial areas for some more awesome views.
As you'll be getting ready in the evening, you will meet another member of the team - your alpine climbing guide. They will provide another briefing about tomorrow's plan to take on the summit. It's an early night to get some rest before an epic day to follow!
A+ (m.): 700 (+450 with optional hike in the afternoon)
D- (m.): 0 (-460 with optional hike in the afternoon)
Length (km): 6 (+5 with optional hike in the afternoon)
Expected duration (h): 2h30min (+2/3h with optional hike in the afternoon)
Meals : B/D
It's time to reach the high point of the trek and take on a 4000m peak in the Alps and what a peak this one is! The epic Gran Paradiso. You'll get up nice and early, grab some breakfast and your gear and then make your way to the starting point. It's normally a short hike before putting your harness and crampons on. If you've not used them before, your alpine guide will have provided full instruction on how to use these the previous afternoon, but of course, any experience on crampons is ideal. The initial route from Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II begins on rocky glacial moraine made of large stone blocks so you'll navigate your way around these and head towards the side of the valley and the glacier itself. You will have a short break near the Schiena d’Asino, then ascend to the Becca di Moncorvé pass. These trails are not super steep but as you get close to 4000m it will seem more difficult due to the altitude. Up and up you go as you head towards the end of the glacier and onto the rock part of the mountain where there's a summit ridge that will take you all the way to the summit. The climb is not considered technical, but whilst you're on the summit ridge you will be attached to fixed lines and will make a short but exposed step up to reach the actual summit. It's super safe but something to be prepared for and is all part of the challenge. Once on top of the summit, take in those epic views with hugs and high fives all around!
You'll take it slow as you and the group head down and over to some different accommodation at the Federico Chabod mountain hut where you can enjoy a nice hot meal and celabratory drink with a summit well earned!
A+ (m.): 1330
D- (m.): 1350
Expected duration (h): 10h ca.
Meals : B/D
You'll still be feeling on top of the world (No pun intended) after your summit yesterday but it's time to descend and bid 'Arrivederci' to this beautiful place. You drop down to the valley after a couple of hours trekking to Pont Valsavarenche for a lunch stop and then the transfer back to Milano Malpensa airport and the start of your journey home. What an epic several days in one of the most spectacular areas of the Alps.
Please aim to book your international flight to depart from Malpensa after 4:00 PM
A+ (m.): 0
D- (m.): 700
Expected duration (h): 2h ca.
Meals : B/-
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