Gran Paradiso Loop

Make your way to Aosta, the capital of the Val d'Aoste, a truly special place in Italy and the location where your self-guided tour begins. Check into your hotel in Aosta and prepare for the exhilarating days of trekking that lie ahead. If time permits, make sure to explore this charming town, steeped in fascinating Roman history.

A brilliant first day of hiking awaits you as you transfer from Aosta to the starting point of your hike in Valsavarenche valley. Start the day's hike from the trailhead in Pont, located at the end of the road that leads up Valsavarenche Valley. If you chose the "baggage transfer" option, meet in Pont at 1:30pm with the taxi that will handle transferring your bags.

Choose from two options for today’s hike.

Option 1:

A longer hike that starts in Pont (1,994m) and follows a trail that climbs to Grand Collet Pass (2,832m). From here, enjoy spectacular views of the legendary Gran Paradiso Peak. Then, descend into Nivolet Valley to join the trail that leads to the Savoia (2,533m) and Chivasso (2,600m) huts.

For today's hike, you have two options:

Option 2:

This is a shorter option compared to option one that also starts in Pont (1,994m) and follows a trail that climbs straight to Rolley/Arolley (2,313m) where you’ll revel in the insurmountable beauty of Grand Paradiso Peak. From here, you’ll continue up the valley along Nivolet creek all the way to your hut accommodations.

This morning, with Gran Paradiso Peak behind you, follow the trail (and animal tracks) through the area's serene alpine meadows, with lakes scattered here and there, and then through a snowfield or two until you reach Col Rosset Pass (3,023m). This is the week's first mountain pass above 3,000m! Enjoy the descent into Val di Rhêmes, as well as dinner and spending the night in the Benevolo Hut (2,287 m). If you're lucky, the hut managers will offer you a cup of "Aostan coffee."

Following breakfast this morning, depart the hut, and pursue the trail that passes through a rocky bottleneck on your way to glacier formed Golette Lake, which reflects in its waters the seracs and glaciers looming above.

Press on to climb to Col Bassac-Déré Pass (3,082m) and take full advantage of your high perch to soak in the views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The descent on the other side of the pass takes you right along the edge of the Glairetta Glacier and then to Mario Bezzi Hut (2,240m), where you will spend the night.

No high-altitude passes to cross today! Instead, you’ll walk along a spectacular balcony traverse Above the beautiful Valgrisenche Valley. Stroll through meadows and pastures, as well as rocky alpine terrain scattered with small lakes and creeks fed by the summer's glacier meltwater. You are now in the heart of where Aosta Valley's world-famous fontina cheese is made. All throughout the day, enjoy views of Ruitor Peak, whose summit offers one of the most spectacular vistas in the Alps. The warm and welcoming Epée Hut (2,373m) is the day's final destination.

This morning, another high-adrenalin trek awaits as you ascend to Lake Part (2,458 m). The Col de Chavière (2,796 m) is a small indentation in the ridge between the Péclet-Polset area and the Pointe de l'Echelle, glacial peaks. Later, descend to the Péclet-Polset refuge where you’ll enjoy a well earned rest (2,474 m).

The longest stage of your trip is before you this morning! Enjoy this outstanding traverse through varied terrain, with unforgettable views from beginning to end. Your early-morning start leads out of Rhêmes-Notre-Day and through beautiful pine forests to the alpine pastures of Entrelor (2,142m). The trail follows Entrelor Creek for a while, and then slowly but surely climbs to Entrelor Pass, the trip's last high-mountain pass above 3,000m elevation! The descent takes you to Noir Lake (2,670m), and then towards Djouan Lakes (2,516m), with great views of Gran Paradiso Peak all along the way. At this point, your final destination and the end of the trip are near. Traverse along the mountainside to the national park's visitor center, through the pine forest to the village of Eaux-Rousses (166m), and to the end your six-day adventure through Gran Paradiso National Park. Transfer by public bus back to Aosta.

Optional: Climb Gran Paradiso Peak (4,061m)

You have the option of extending your trip by two days to climb Gran Paradiso Peak with a high-mountain guide. Enjoy the company, guidance, and instruction of a state-certified high mountain guide for a group of one to four people. Please request this add on at time of booking.

With a storehouse of memories made in Italy’s breathtaking Aosta Valley, it’s time to depart this morning after breakfast. Arrivederci!