A guidebook to trekking Alta Via 2, a route of 148km, from Chardonney and Courmayeur in the Gran Paradiso National Park. While not high on the difficulty scale, Alta Via 2 is strenuous, and best suited to trekkers with some alpine experience. Fittingly perfectly into a two-week time slot, the route is best undertaken between late June and late September. 

The route is described across 12 stages (with a 4-stage extension option in place of Stages 6 and 7). Stages range from 5 to 18km, with stage ascent varying from 50m (Stage 8) to 1400m (Stage 9). Net ascent is 9630m. The route is described east to west so trekkers are rewarded with the beauty of Mont Blanc at the journey's end.

• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on travel logistics, the mountain hut network, as well as kit requirements
• Trek-specific Italian-English glossary included
• Information given on local alpine flora and wildlife
• Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket 

Map key

Overview map

Overview profile

Route Summary Table

Introduction

The Gran Paradiso National Park

Alta Via 2

Wildlife

Plants and flowers

How to get there

When to go

Shorter and longer itineraries

Accommodation

Food and drink

What to take

Maps

Languages and place names

Dos and don’ts

Emergencies

Using this guide

Further suggestions

Alta Via 2

Stage 1 Chardonney to Rifugio Dondena

Stage 2 Rifugio Dondena to Rifugio Péradza

Stage 3 Rifugio Péradzà to Cogne

Stage 4 Cogne to Rifugio Vittorio Sella

Stage 5 Rifugio Vittorio Sella to Eaux Rousses

Extension

Stage A Pont to Col del Nivolet

Stage B Col del Nivolet to Rifugio Benevolo

Stage C Rifugio Benevolo to Rifugio Bezzi

Stage D Rifugio Bezzi to Planaval, Valgrisenche

Stage 6 Eaux Rousses to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame

Stage 7 Rhêmes-Notre-Dame to Rifugio Chalet de l’Epée

Stage 8 Rifugio Chalet de l’Epée to Planaval

Stage 9 Planaval to Bivacco C Zappelli

Stage 10 Bivacco Cosimo Zappelli to La Thuile

Stage 11 La Thuile to Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini

Stage 12 Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini to Courmayeur

Appendix A Italian–English glossary

Appendix B Useful contacts

Seasons

The trekking season corresponds to the opening period for the high altitude refuges, namely mid June through to late September. July is the best time to go for wildflowers while August and onwards usually guarantees snow-free passes.

Centres

Chardonney, Cogne, Valnontey, Eaux-Rousses, Valsavarenche, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Valgrisenche, La Thuile, Val Vény, Courmayeur

Difficulty

While not high on the difficulty scale, Alta Via 2 is strenuous, best suited to trekkers with some alpine experience. The majority of the route rates as average difficulty (Grade 2), while a handful of stages include short demanding sections with unstable terrain and exposure (Grade 3).

Must See

Italy’s historic Gran Paradiso National Park in the northwest, close to the border with France, has resident populations of magnificent ibex, chamois, marmots, golden eagles and lammergeier vultures, along with hosts of brilliant alpine wildflowers and glacial tarns such as Lago Lauson and Lac Djouan reflecting snowcapped peaks. The Gran Paradiso mountain (the only 4000+m peak wholly in Italy), Mont Blanc, Testa del Ruitor, Grivola.

October 2025

Stage 9

February 2025

Alpine Clubs

September 2024

Updates

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