The Gran Paradiso National Park is still a reference in terms of nature conservation: chamois, ibex, marmots, foxes, bearded vultures, but also a magnificent flora such as the beautiful pulsatilla alpina...
We offer you a discovery at your own pace, with each day an accessible hike, or an other itinerary harder towards a big pass, a glacier or a remarkable mountain pasture for the volunteers. And even, as an option, the final ascent of the Grand Paradis summit (4061m) for the most athletic.
And in the evening, return to the comfortable fold, nestled in the hollow of an alpine valley... The best of Grand Paradis!
Departure from end of June to september 2023
Circuit 6 days / 5 nights:
725€ per person in the hotel ***
Circuit 7 days / 6 nights:
800€ per person in the hotel *** and 1 night in a refuge
Option ascent of the Grand Paradis:
340€/ person for 2 people
240€/ person for 3/4 people
Single departure on request
Secure payment
Includes:
For the ascent of Grand Paradis:
Does not include:
The rate is all inclusive from the meeting point to the point of dispersion.
Departure of the trip at Valgrisenche, in the Aosta valley.
LAGO DI SAN GRATO
Start of the hike from the Beauregard dam, above Valgrisenche. Quickly, the view opens up on the surrounding peaks the path climbs through the alpine pastures to reach this beautiful lake, set at the foot of the Ruitor head, a glacial summit at 3486m. The return is done through the valley, close to the Rio del lago and its beautiful waterfalls. A more sportive variant by the wild crest of the Arp Vielle.
First the two nights in this old hamlet above the dam, in a lodge ***.
4h30 walk / Elevation: +/- 480m 8km
6h walk / Elevation: +/- 900m 15km
ÉPÉE REFUGE - COL FENÊTRE
Cross the dam, then climb through a beautiful larch forest until you reach the alpine pastures and the Epée refuge (a family refuge, recommended stopover) and, just above, the beautiful vallon del Bouc. The volunteers can continue to the spectacular Col Fenêtre, while the others take a nap near to the river. Descend to the lake of Beauregard and return to the lodge *** for the night.
5h walk / Elevation: +/-560m 12km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +/-1000m 16km
RIFUGIO BENEVOLO - LAGO DI SANT ELENA
Transfer (1 hour drive) to the Rhême Valley. Departure from the bottom of the valley and ascent through the Gran Vaudala. We reach the Basey mountain pasture through a beautiful high meadow. Crossing to the rifugio Benevolo and descent along the Dora di Rheme stream. while going up directly to the Benevolo refuge, it is possible to make a superb hike around the Truc de San eléna, up to the turquoise lake that escapes from the glacier. A very alpine atmosphere at the foot of the first summits of Tsanteleina.
Descent and installation for 2 nights in the ***hotel, at Bruil.
5h walk / Elevation: +/-520m 10km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +/-820m 14km
OPTION BY A REFUGE : LAGO DI SANT ELENA or BASSAC DÉRÉ PASS
If you want enjoy this great hiking area, we suggest that you spend the night at the Benevolo refuge. In this case, you leave in the morning with the necessary for the night. Climb up to the Benevolo refuge and hike around the Truc de San Elena, up to the turquoise lake that escapes from the glacier. Very alpine atmosphere at the foot of the Tsanteleina first summits, in an ancient glacier valley and finally the ascent of the Bassac Dere pass, at 3082m. Climbing through the glacial lake of the Goletta, then the high rocky valley until the pass, from where the immense glacial cirque of the Sassière is revealed. Some old snow could add spice to the route. Back to the refuge for the night.
6h walk / Elevation: +820m -450m 10km
6h30 walk / Eevation: +1200m -800m 12km
ENTRELOR VALLEY
If you have slept at the hotel: Climb through the forest to reach a small alpine hamlet. The Gollien pass allows to go around the tête de l'Entrelor, for a wide view on the whole Val di Rhème. Descent through the Sort valley. For the sporty ones, we suggest to go up to the col de l'Entrelor, at 3007m, territory of the ibexes and panorama on the Grand Paradis summit. Return to the hotel for the night.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +/-840m 7km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +/-1280m 12km
OPTION REFUGE: LAC DE LA GOLETTA ou NIVOLETTA
If you have slept in the refuge. If you have not done the tour of the Truc de Sant Elena or the lake of La Goletta the day before, this is the time to take advantage of it, so much these landscapes of altitude are aesthetic. For the more athletic, a morning climb to the Cime de Nivoletta, then a descent around the Truc of Sant Elena. A day full of colors! Night in a hotel*** in Bruil.
5h walk / Elevation: +420m - 800m 8km
6h30 walk / Elevation: +980m - 1250m 14km
VALSAVARENCHE - PASTURES OF MEYES
Morning transfer to Valsavarenche (45mn). Departure from Pont, to go up in the suspended valley of Nivollet, with its river in cascades and the sight on the Grans Paradis. Panoramic crossing towards the alpine pastures of Meyes. Descent to Pont. Night in a hotel***, in a small hamlet of the valley. A more sportive hike extends the day from Meyes to the Djouan lake by the Col du Manteau (2795m). Direct descent to the hamlet of Eaux Rousses, where the hotel is located.
6h walk / Elevation: +/- 720m 11km
6h30 walk / Elevation: + 920m - 1150m 14km
GRAND COLLET - NIVOLET PLAIN
The ascent by the pass Grand Collet takes a lot of elevation but it is a rather wild pass which is worth a small detour... Chamois or ibexes are sometimes still visible in the morning. We follow the beaconing for the itinerary, to arrive at the vast pass to 2832m. Descent on the beautiful plain of Nivolet, then along the meanders of the river. We join the Cross of Nivolet passed the day before, then finally Pont, end of the hike.
5h30 walk / Elevation: +/- 850m 8km
Every day, two options are possible:
Level **: Height difference : +/- 450m to 700m, walking time : 3h to 5h per day, type of walk : mountain route with no particular technical difficulty between forest and pastures.
Level ***: variants are proposed reach passes between 2800m and 3000m. Elevation: 800m to 1300m. A few steep passages are possible, secured, as well as some aerial or technical passages mainly at the beginning of the season with the crossing of residual snow. The paths are well marked or marked by cairns at the approach of some passes.
For the ascent of Grand Paradis: hike on the glacier with crampons, without any particular technical difficulties, but a long day. The last 100m of crossing are aerials and can be impressive. There is a possibility to do not climb this last step.
Before departure, we will give you a travel pack containing
This tour is organised as an auto-tour, so transfers are carried out with your personal car or with a local bus. In option, we can offer taxi transfers, with additional cost.
2 nights in a newly renovated hotel, lost in the mountain
2 nights in a 3-star hotel
1 night in a gite
Breakfasts and dinners are provided in each accommodation.
Picnic lunches are not included and can be ordered the day before in each accommodation. You can buy food in the shops in Breuil, in the Rhêmes valley.
Level 2:
Good physical condition recommended with 3 to 4 hours of sports per week.
Level 3:
You should be able to walk 15km (on the plains) in a maximum of 3 hours.
If this is not the case, within three weeks before departure, at a rate of 2 to 3 times a week, we advise you to undertake a good training: 4 to 5 km of jogging or 3 to 4 hours of hiking or cycling. Your physical preparation will facilitate your stay and allow you to enjoy it all the more.
Instituto Geografico Centrale:
n°102 VALSAVARENCHE, VAL DI RHEMES, VALGRISENCHE
Departure in Valsavarenche, Italy.
BY TRAIN
TO AOSTA VIA TURIN OR
TO CHAMONIX VIA PARIS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 12:45pm arrive in Chamonix at 7:50pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified in a train station or on www.oui.sncf
BY BUS
VIA CHAMONIX
From Chamonix to Aosta by SAT bus.
www.sat-montblanc.com
VIA AOSTA
The Savda buses drive you 3 times a day to Pont. Departure from Aosta at 7:15am, 12:30pm and 4:50pm (1.5 hour lift).
Times given are indicative and should be verified at www.savda.it
BY CAR
VIA THE MONT BLANC TUNNEL
Take the A40 motorway towards Chamonix, follow signs for Milan and take the Mont-Blanc Tunnel to Italy (58€ return) www.atmb.net
Follow signs for Courmayeur/Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.
VIA THE COL DU PETIT ST BERNARD
From the southern regions of France take the A43 motorway to Chambéry, the A30 to Albertville and follow direction Bourg St Maurice. Follow signs for Col du Petit St Bernard and Italy (a very good mountain road) passing through La Thuile to Pré St Didier. Follow signs for Aosta (signed blue), then direction Introd and Valsavarenche, 3kms after the village Aviez continue to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.
If you chose the return transfer option Chamonix/Pont
Free parking: Chemin du Biolay, opposite the Montenvers train station in Chamonix.
If you wish to leave your car in a covered garage, contact:
Chamonix Auto Park: 04 50 53 65 71 (40 to 50€ per week).
End point in Pont, Valsavarenche.
Transfer to Chamonix if option chosen (1.5 hour drive).
Warning: the tunnel may be very busy on Saturday. Think of a little bit more time if you need to book a bus or train from Chamonix.
Chamonix - Hôtel de l’Arve: +33 (0)4 50 53 02 31
Hôtel Vallée Blanche: +33 (0)4 50 53 04 50
Chamonix Tourist Office: +33 (0)4 50 53 00 24
www.chamonix.com
Pont, Valsavarenche - Hôtel Gran Paradiso: +39 01 65 95 454
Hôtel Genzianella: +39 01 65 95 393
Aosta Tourist Office: +39 01 65 23 66 27
www.aoste.ialpes.com
www.lovevda.it
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible on: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Your baggage will be transported daily (except Day 6) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!
If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.