Walking Gran Paradiso National Park

Experience the best of Italy’s alpine landscapes on 30 unforgettable day walks through Gran Paradiso National Park, set between the Aosta Valley and Piedmont in the Graian Alps. As Italy’s oldest national park, Gran Paradiso offers a spectacular setting of soaring peaks, wildflower meadows, sparkling lakes, and tranquil river valleys. These routes showcase the region’s wild beauty, where you might spot ibex, chamois, and marmots, and savour local food in mountain villages.

Ideal for walkers of all experience levels, from relaxed strollers to seasoned trekkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guide describes 30 graded walks (2.5–24km/1.5–15 miles), each taking between 1.5 and 8 hours. Walks start from traditional villages and peaceful valleys, all accessible by public transport, with flexible itineraries to fit your plans.

• Choose from 30 inspiring day walks across Gran Paradiso National Park, following well-marked trails, old mule tracks, and alpine paths linking traditional hamlets, lakes, and mountain viewpoints, with opportunities to encounter wildlife along the way.
• Plan your Gran Paradiso walking holiday for the ideal season, with guidance on local weather and trail conditions showing why June to October is best for wildflowers, wildlife sightings, and open mountain huts.
• Benefit from clear grading and route descriptions, reliable waymarking, and daily information boxes covering distance, walking time, elevation gain, terrain, and facilities for every walk in Gran Paradiso National Park.
• Find practical holiday planning advice and recommendations for accommodation in the Aosta Valley and Piedmont, from village hotels and guesthouses to mountain rifugi, plus comprehensive notes on services, places to eat and sample local cuisine, water sources, and bus connections between valleys.
• Navigate Gran Paradiso’s trails with confidence using clear 1:50,000 mapping, downloadable GPX files, and step-by-step directions for every route.
• Expand your knowledge of Gran Paradiso with sections on geology, natural history, flora and fauna, travel, language, regional food and drink, and the vibrant culture of the area.

Plan your Italian mountain adventure with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. Immerse yourself in the wild beauty, history, culinary delights, and cultural richness of Gran Paradiso National Park, one of Europe’s most spectacular protected landscapes.

Seasons

June through October. Snow may be encountered on high altitude routes in early summer. As of July, wildflowers bring carpets of colour. Mountain huts open in summer but valley villages provide meals and accommodation year-round.

Centres

Cogne, Valnontey, Lillaz, Gimillan, Dégioz, Eaux Rousses, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Noasca, Ceresole Reale, Colle del Nicolet, Ronco Canavese and Piamprato.

Difficulty

Walks are graded 1-3, ranging from straightforward strolls through to demanding alpine routes. Fitness and some alpine walking experience are preferable, as are good boots. (No special equipment is required.)

Must See

Rugged alpine mountainsides, lakes, river valleys and the Lillaz waterfalls. Wildlife including ibex, chamois, marmots, lammergeier vultures and golden eagles. Admire the magnificent Gran Paradiso peak. Visit or stay at high altitude mountain huts. Explore old alpine hamlets reachable only on foot. Walk across the ancient Roman Pont d’Ael aqueduct-bridge.

Map key

Route summary table

Introduction

The Gran Paradiso National Park

Walks

Some geology

Some history

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

How to get there

Local transport

When to go

Valleys and bases

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Maps and GPX tracks

Dos and don’ts

Emergencies

Using this guide

Path marking

Local traditions

Further suggestions

DAY WALKS

Walk 1 The Lillaz Waterfalls

Walk 2 Lago di Loie

Walk 3 Vallon de Valeille

Walk 4 Cascades de Pila

Walk 5 Laghi di Lussert

Walk 6 Montseuc

Walk 7 The Money Glacier Terrace

Walk 8 The Casolari dell’Herbetet Traverse

Walk 9 Punta Pousset

Walk 10 Beneath the Grivola

Walk 11 Pont d’Ael’s Roman Bridge

Walk 12 At the Foot of the Gran Paradiso

Walk 13 The Gran Collet Circuit

Walk 14 The King’s Path in Valle delle Meyes

Walk 15 Orvieille and Lacs de Djouan

Walk 16 The 2205m Mont Blanc

Walk 17 Vallon di Sort-Vallon di Entrelor

Walk 18 Rifugio Benevolo and Lago Goletta

Walk 19 Lakes above Pian del Nivolet

Walk 20 The Royal Track to Ceresole Reale

Walk 21 Lago Serrù Sentiero Glaciologico

Walk 22 Upper Valle Orco

Walk 23 Beneath the Tre Levanne

Walk 24 Ceresole Reale lake circuit

Walk 25 The Old Villages of Valle Orco

Walk 26 Rifugio Pontese and Lago di Teleccio

Walk 27 Nivolastro to Andorina

Walk 28 Val di Forzo, Boschettiera and Bivacco Davito

Walk 29 Sanctuary of San Besso

Walk 30 Above Piamprato to Col Larissa

Appendix A Italian–English glossary

Appendix B Useful contacts

Appendix C Rifugi