Founded in 1922, the first national park in Italy and Europe, the Gran Paradiso National Park defines an impressive high mountain range furrowed by deep valleys. Created on the initiative of King Victor Emmanuel II to protect ibex, the park remains a safe haven and protective area for animals including chamois, ibex, marmot, fox and vultures.
We propose an unusual circuit crossing some of the finest high mountain passes between the Valgrisenche and Valsavaranche. Seven days of trekking, escaping civilisation to discover a universe shared with wildlife in valleys, traditional pastures and a high mountain wilderness.
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Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meeting on Sunday at 11:45am in Pont, picnic and departure of trek.
PONT - VALSAVARENCHE - VALLON DE NIVOLE
Enter into the Gran Paradiso National Park by the pastures of Nivolet to the mountain pass Col de Nivolet. An immediate immersion into the world of this mountain range, between the peak of Galisia and the summit of the Gran Paradiso (4061m). Night in a refuge on the shores of Lake Nivolet (without your baggage).
3 hour walk / Elevation: +700m -100m
LAKES LEITA AND COL ROSSET - REFUGE BENEVOLO
Starting out on a wide plateau punctuated by a dozen lakes including Lake Rosset and Lieta, creating memorable images. Crossing the Col Rosset mountain pass at 3023m, descend through meadows to the Gran Vaudala valley, then traverse to the Benevolo bowl-shaped glacial amphitheatre. Possible variant by the Basei pass to walk closer to the glaciers. Night in refuge Benevolo.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -750m
COL BASSAC DERE AND LAKE GOLETTA - REFUGE BEZZI
Climb to the Col de Bassac Déré at 3082m, under the summit of Grande Sassière. Following along the Goletta Glacier, its glacial lake with a small sandy beach! Descend alongside the terminus of the Gliairetta Glacier. At a bend in the path, lying peacefully on rocks, ibex may await our passage. Night in refuge Bezzi.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +800m -800m
INVERGNAN AND SAN MARTINO GLACIERS - REFUGE DE L’EPEE
Long traverse overlooking Lake Beauregard, facing the Ruitor mountain range. This panoramic trail passes at the foot of a multitude of small glaciers including the San Martino Glacier. Small detour to Lake San Martino at 2770m.
Night in refuge Epée.
5 hour walk / Elevation: +600m -500m
COL DE FENETRE AND BRUIL VILLAGE
Climb to the Col de Fenêtre (2840m) passing by Lake Tei. These quiet unfrequented spots allow us the perfect opportunity to observe the wildlife. A beautiful descent, steep at the start, meanders into a large pasture amongst chamois and ibex. Night in a hotel in the typical village of Bruil in the Val de Rhême.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +500m -1100m
COL DE L’ENTRELOR AND LAKES DJOUAN AND NERO - EAUX ROUSSES
Easy gradual climb through the Entrelor valley. Cross the mountain pass, facing the Gran Paradiso summit, descend from the mountain pastures passing by Lakes Djouan and Nero to the village of Eaux Rousses. Possible encounters with chamois, ibex, marmots and soaring vultures. Night in a gîte.
6.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1280m -1300m
LA COMBE DE MEYES - PARADIS AND PONT VILLAGES
A small forgotten path leads us to the Meyes valley dotted with dry stone built hamlets, then onwards to the small Lake Aouillier reflecting the snow topped Gran Paradiso. Descend to Paradise and Pont. A quieter variant is possible to reach the valley directly from the hamlet of Meyes Desot.
4.5 hour walk / Elevation: +900m -600m
End point Saturday at 2:00pm in Pont.
Transfer with our logistics vehicle if you have chosen this option - arrival in Chamonix around 4:30pm.
The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.
Elevation: +/- 750m approximately per day. Day 6 +1300m.
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours per day.
Type of trek: Stony trails that take daily passes located between 2800m and 3000m altitude. Some passes are steep as well as several aerial or technical paths, mainly at the start of the season with the crossing of residual snowfields. The trails are relatively well marked except when approaching certain passes.
Number in a group between 6 and 14 people supervised by a qualified professional mountain leader. At the beginning of the season group numbers may be reduced depending on snow conditions.
5 nights in dormitories in mountain refuges and gîtes.
1 night in a cosy hotel bedroom for 2-4 people.
All accommodation offers hot showers.
For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your mountain leader, comprising a variety of a healthy salads and local products.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.
1/25000 Val Savarenche-Val de Rhême-Val Grisenche N102
Edition Instituto Geografico Centrale
Meet on Sunday at 11:45am in the car park at Pont Valsavarenche, Italy.
Optional round-trip transfer organized by Altitude Mont-Blanc by minibus, supplement to be booked at registration, €50 per person.
Meet at 9:45 a.m. in front of Chamonix SNCF station and transfer (1h30 journey).
If you come by car, several free car parks in the village of Les Houches, Prarion sector. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Jacquier bakery in Le Prarion, Les Houches. You will meet your driver there.
BY TRAIN
TO AOSTA VIA TURIN OR
TO CHAMONIX VIA PARIS
Inbound: depart Gare de Lyon (Paris) the day before at 12:18pm arrive in Chamonix at 7:10pm.
Return train: depart Chamonix at 2:57pm arrive in Gare de Lyon (Paris) at 9:42pm.
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 with SAT bus.
www.sat-montblanc.com
VIA AOSTA
Inbound: depart Aosta at 7:15am, 12:30pm and 4:30pm by bus to Pont, Valsavarenche.
Return: depart Pont at 2:00pm arrive in Aosta at 3:15pm.
Times given are indicative and should be verified on 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 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 to 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 to the end of the valley to arrive in Pont.
If you have chosen the return transfer option from Chamonix:
Free parking: everal free car parks in the village of Les Houches, Prarion sector. Meet at 9:15 a.m. in front of the Jacquet bakery in Le Prarion, Les Houches.
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 Saturday at 2:00pm in Pont.
Transfer to Chamonix if you have chosen this option (90 mins transfer).
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 - Hotel Gran Paradiso: +39 01 65 95 454
Hotel 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 1) 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.