Gran Paradiso Alta Via 2, Self-guided
Follow the ancient Alta via 2 path across high mountain passes and through deep valleys in the Gran Paradiso National Park.
9 days holiday | 7 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 unspoiled parts of the Alps. The park offers stunning and wild views, amazing walking trails and is rich in alpine flora and fauna.
The central part of 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 night you’ll relax in welcoming and atmospheric Italian mountain accommodation. This is a great tour to explore the best parts of the Alta Via 2 and the stunning Gran Paradiso national park. And, of course, there’s plenty plenty of great Italian food and hospitality to accompany you. Belissimo!
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Approaching the Vittorio Sella rifugio after leaving Valnontey -
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 -
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
TRIP ITINERARY:
Day 1: Meeting in Aosta, Italy
You arrive in the old Roman town of Aosta, where Roman history meets Alpine life. Here, there are plenty shops in case you need to do any last-minute shopping or preparations. If you have time, you can also explore the roman ruins which are spread across Aosta centre.
In the evening there are many great bars, cafes and restaurants to explore.
Hiking details
Distance: 14 km / 8.7 mi
Ascent: 750 m / 2460 ft
Descent: 1350 m / 4430 ft
Walking time: 6 hrs
Day 2: From Aosta to Cogne
Your first day starts with a cabel car journey to the alpine resort Pila. From there, you begin your ascent to the first mountain pass on your tour, Col Tsa Séche (or Colle Tsasetze). At the pass, you’re treated to your first views of the Gran Paradiso mountain, which stands over 4000 meters tall and is the centerpiece of the Gran Paradiso national park. Across the pass, and away from the Pila resort, the descent takes you into a wild and stunning glacial valley, through meadows and, finally, larch forest. You spend the night in the charming alpine village Cogne.
Day 3: From Cogne to Vittorio Sella hut
Leaving the beautiful village of Cogne behind, you begin the day with a leisurely walk up a small valley to the old farming settlement Valnontey. Here, you can relax and visit the Alpine botanical garden before you commence your climb of the day. The trail snakes it’s way up through trees and between rocky outcrops. As you get higher, you enter a small hidden valley, which you follow up to a plateau. Here, you’re met by your home for the night - the Vittorio Sella hut, and also one of former King Vittorio Emanuele’s old hunting lodges.
Hiking details
Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi
Ascent: 1075 m / 3530
Descent: 0 m / 0 ft
Walking time: 4 hrs
Day 4: From Vittorio Sella hut to Eaux Rousses
Starting from the Vittorio Sella hut it's a fairly easy ascent through grassy slopes to start the morning. However, the gradient soon changes as you get higher and you’re now taken through terrain which, from a distance, seems almost impassable. Nevertheless, the trail is sound and you soon reach Col Lausonne at over 3200 meters to be met by spectacular views. It's now downhill into a wild and rocky valley where Ibex roam on the steep hillsides. You enter the tree line for the final part of the descent to the small hamlet of Eaux Rousses in the Valnontey valley.
Hiking details
Distance: 17 km / 10.5 mi
Ascent: 720 m / 2360 ft
Descent: 1650 m / 5410 ft
Walking time: 7 hrs
Day 5: From Eaux Rousses to Col du Nivolet
After a good nights sleep in the charming accommodation, you have a fairly long journey ahead. You climb through the idyllic Djouan pastures, and pass the glistening Djouan lake, on the trail to the Colle di Manteau mountain pass. At the pass, you’re once again greeted by views of the Gran Paradiso mountain. A long traversing descend takes you to the Col du Nivolet mountain pass, where you stay in a characterful mountain hut at over 2500 meters.
Hiking details
Distance: 18.5 km / 11.5 mi
Ascent: 1250 m / 4100 ft
Descent: 380 m / 1250 ft
Walking time: 7 hrs
Day 6: From Col du Nivolet to Rifugio Benevolo
You’re now well accustomed to the altitude. This comes in handy as another high pass awaits today - the Col Rosset at nearly 3200 meters. The route to the pass takes you past several beautiful mountain lakes, before a short but quite intense climb, finally lands you at the top of the pass. The descend is steep and rocky to start, but eventually changes to lush, green pastures. You arrive at Rifugio Benevole, where the guardians welcome you with homemade food, great coffee and beer on tap.
Hiking details
Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi
Ascent: 650 m / 2130 ft
Descent: 875 m / 2870 ft
Walking time: 5 hrs 30 mins
Day 7: From Rifugio Benevolo to Rifugio Mario Bezzi
You leave the friendly Benevolo hut behind and climb to the Comba di Goletta. 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. It leads you to the Col Bassac Dere mountain pass. At first, your descend is interesting and very spectacular as you’re edging the impressive Gliairetta glacier. As you drop lower the wild landscape is replaced with greener slopes and eventually you arrive at the welcoming Mario Bezzi mountain hut.
Hiking details
Distance: 11 km / 6.8 mi
Ascent: 850 m / 2790 ft
Descent: 820 m / 2690 ft
Walking time: 5 hrs 30 mins
Day 8: From Rifugio Mario Bezzi to Valgrisenche and Aosta
Your last walking day offers a very pleasant descent along the Valsaverenche valley, tracing the river down to the Beauregard lake and dam. All to soon, you arrive in the historic village of Valsgrisenche. There is time for a late lunch or a coffee before you catch the local bus back to your hotel in Aosta in the early afternoon. The rest of the day is free to explore Aosta and it’s many cafes, bars and restaurants at your leisure.
Hiking details
Distance: 12.5 km / 7.8 mi
Ascent: 125 m / 410 ft
Descent: 750 m / 2460 ft
Walking time: 3 hrs 30 mins
Day 9: 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:
9 days holiday with 7 days walking.
Accommodation:
3 nights in hotels, 1 night in auberge and 4 nights in mountain huts.
Group size and guides:
Max. 10 clients with 1 certified English-speaking guide (UIMLA).
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
Inclusions:
Expert tour planning and organisation by Alpine Treks
Detailed route cards
Topographic maps (1:25000), NOT photo copies
GPS files for the standard route
Practical information pack
8 nights accommodation
Meals (8x breakfast and 6x dinners)
ABTOT bonding and passenger protection
Exclusions:
Travel to and from Aosta
Lunches, snacks, drinks and meals not mentioned above
Unplanned transportaion if/when used