The trip

LEVEL ****

Elevation: +/-1100 to 1300m approximately per day.
Walking time: 6 to 8 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.
The route in general is well indicated, and the Roadbook provided sufficiently complete to allow you to hike in complete safety. However, it remains essential to know how to read the 1:25,000 map and to be sufficiently autonomous in the mountains to be able to approach the route confidently, whatever the weather.

Climbing to the Gran Paradiso summit involves walking with crampons without any major technical difficulty, however it is a long glacial walk. The last 100m to the summit are steep and more technical and may induce vertigo in those sensitive to heights. It is always possible not to carry out this stage.

ROAD BOOK

Before departure, we send you a travel folder containing: 
- 1 IGN TOP 25 with the route highlighted. 
- 1 road-book containing all the information necessary for the trek. 
- 1 waterproof map holder.
- Accommodation list.

Your roadbook can be provided in a digital format with an app to download on your phone, or with the traditional paper format send by mail (or even both versions, with a supplement of 25€). Please tell us your preference!

SIGNPOSTS AND WAYMARKS ALONG THE TREK

The route is marked with a yellow arrow and regular ground markings (in both directions).
The trails are numbered.
It is preferable to know how to read a topographical map at 1/25000.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Two options:
without baggage transport: you carry your own bag.
with baggage transport: your baggage is transported daily (except day 6) by our logistics vehicle.

ACCOMMODATION

2 nights in a gite in a bedroom or dormitory of 2 to 8 people.
4 nights in refuge in a dormitory of 4 to 8 people.
All accommodation offers hot showers.

MEALS

Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are not included and can be pre-ordered at each accommodation in the evening. 
Possibility to buy picnic supplies in small local shops on day 2 in Breuil.

FITNESS LEVEL

Ability to easily walk 20km (on flat trails) in a maximum of 4 hours. 
If this is not the case, we recommend that you train during the three weeks prior to departure, for example running 4-5km or hiking/cycling 3-4 hours, 2 to 3 times per week. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.

YOUR BACKPACK FOR THE NIGHT WITHOUT YOUR BAGGAGE

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!)

PERSONALISED TOURS

We can personalise a tour according to your requirements (number of days, participants, level of route, accommodation, etc.)

MAPS

Instituto Geografico Centrale: 
n°102 VALSAVARENCHE, VAL DI RHEMES, VALGRISENCHE

Practical information

ACCESS TO DEPARTURE POINT

Meeting point at the parking in Pont to collect your baggage.

BY TRAIN
To Aosta via Turin. From Aosta, Savda buses run 3 times a day to Pont. Departures from Aosta at 7:15am, 12:30pm, 4:30pm (1.5 hour lift).
www.savda.it
From Chamonix, join Aosta with SAT buses
www.sat-montblanc.com
For trains in France: https://www.oui.sncf/

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-Saint-Maurice. Follow signs for "Col du Petit Saint Bernard" and Italy (a very good mountain road) passing through La Thuile to Pré Saint 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.

End point at the parking in Pont to collect your baggage.

ACCOMMODATION BEFORE AND AFTER

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

CONTACT US

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

Equipment & baggage

EQUIPMENT LIST

Clothing

• Walking trousers
• Shorts (Bikini/swimsuit, just in case!)
• Breathable or merino wool t-shirts
• Breathable or merino wool leggings
• Fleece or jumper
• Wind stopper or Goretex jacket
• Waterproof poncho + gaiters or Goretex trousers + waterproof rucksack cover
• Pair of gloves and a warm hat
• Sun hat or baseball cap
• Walking socks (1 pair per day)
• Sturdy walking boots, already broken in with a good sole stiff enough to support crampons (no trail running shoes or flexible hiking shoes). Crampons to suit all types of hiking boots will be available, it is not necessary to have glacier mountaineering boots.
• 1 change of clothes for the evening
• A pair of comfortable shoes for the evening

Other Equipment

• Toilet bag
• Quick drying towel
• Sunglasses and sun cream
• Water bottle or Camelback (1.5 litre minimum)
• Knife, fork and spoon
• Plastic lunch box/plate for your picnic lunches
• Plastic cup for coffee
• Small First Aid kit (antihistamine, ibuprofen, Compeed type blister pads...)
• Survival blanket
• Head torch or hand torch
• Sleeping bag liner sheet and pillowcase (blankets provided at accommodation)
• Two adjustable walking poles (highly recommended)
• Identity card or passport

BACKPACK

Bring a comfortable backpack of 40 to 50 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.

EQUIPMENT FOR THE SUMMIT

Crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe for climbing the Gran Paradiso summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and supplementary warm layers to add if necessary). High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory.

BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

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.