Hike beneath the legendary giants of the Italian Alps along the Giants’ Trail: Alta Via 1, from Donnas to Courmayeur through the breathtaking Aosta Valley. This inspiring 180km (112-mile) route, also known as the Tour of the Giants (Tor des Géants), traces the northern flank of the valley in the shadows of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Grand Combin. 

Experience a two-week alpine adventure on quiet trails, far from the crowds, through spectacular mountain scenery, isolated villages, and welcoming refuges. Perfect for trekkers with some alpine experience seeking a rewarding challenge, this authoritative Cicerone guidebook describes the Giant’s Trail in 16 stages, each ranging from 4 to 17km (2–11 miles). 

It also offers a range of options to tailor your journey, whether you wish to complete the entire trek in one go or split it into two one-week sections, with convenient access at Valtournenche. Alternative variants, including an unforgettable detour to the historic Great St Bernard Monastery, allow you to personalise your trek according to your interests, fitness, and the weather.

• Marvel at the snow-capped massifs of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Grand Combin, as each day brings new views and unforgettable moments among the highest mountains in Italy and the Alps.
• Each stage features clear route descriptions, with distance, ascent/descent, walking time, and detailed information on accommodation, mountain huts, and refreshment options, plus advice on merging shorter stages for longer days or pausing to explore mountain villages like Gressoney and Champoluc, and to sample the region’s rich culture.
• Includes 1:50,000 mapping for every stage, downloadable GPX tracks, and concise summary tables for itinerary planning, ensuring straightforward navigation and flexibility for both full and partial treks of the Giants’ Trail.
• Essential advice covers preparation, weather, and when to go (huts open late June–early September), travel and local transport, mountain safety, flora, fauna, history, and culture, so you are equipped for every aspect of your Aosta Valley adventure.
• Public transport options allow you to access the route at multiple points, making it easy to customise your trek to fit your schedule and energy levels, and to explore the Aosta Valley’s towns and villages.
• The Alta Via 1 is more demanding than the Tour of Mont Blanc but poses minimal technical difficulty, making it ideal for experienced walkers seeking a quieter, more authentic Alpine trek.
• Can be combined with Alta Via 2 through the Gran Paradiso to form the full Tor des Géants circuit, an epic journey around the entire Aosta Valley beneath the greatest peaks in the Alps.

Plan your journey along the Giants’ Trail: Alta Via 1 with the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and discover a hidden gem of the Western Alps, where every step reveals new panoramas, warm hospitality, and the enduring spirit of adventure beneath the greatest peaks in Europe.

Trekking Italy’s Giants’ Trail – Alta Via 1: Quick Facts

Location: Northern Aosta Valley, Italian Pennine Alps, from Donnas to Courmayeur
Number of stages: 16 stages (can be merged or split; public transport and Trek-Bus access)
Distance: 180km (112 miles)
Duration: Around 2 weeks; daily stages 4–17km (2–11 miles); can be divided into two one-week sections
Areas covered: Eastern and western Aosta Valley; passes beneath Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Grand Combin; visits villages such as Donnas, Gressoney, Champoluc, Valtournenche, and Courmayeur
Route type: Alpine trails, high passes, mountain meadows, historic footpaths, and traditional villages
Difficulty: Challenging long-distance trek for experienced alpine walkers; harder than the Tour of Mont Blanc but with minimal technical difficulty
Terrain: Substantial ascent and descent each day; wildflower slopes, glacial valleys, panoramic ridges, historic monasteries, and quiet mountain huts
Navigation: 1:50,000 mapping for every stage, detailed route notes, downloadable GPX tracks, and summary tables
Best season: Late June to early September (mountain huts open; late August/early September offers quieter trails and autumn colours)
Highlights: Spectacular views of Italy’s highest peaks, welcoming mountain villages and huts, rich regional culture, the Great St Bernard Monastery
Equipment: Sturdy boots, layered clothing for alpine weather, trekking poles, lightweight sleeping bag liner for huts
Accommodation: Mountain huts (rifugi), inns, and simple hotels or guesthouses in villages and towns along the route
 

Author Highlight

"Italian trekkers use the term ‘Alta Via’ in reference to many long distance routes. In the UK, ‘Alta Via’ often refers to a specific route in the Dolomites. The AV1 is sometimes also referred to as the Tor des Géants, the Tour of the Giants. This is a fitting title as it wends its way in the shadows of the highest mountains in Italy and indeed the whole of the Alps.” 

- Andy Hodges, author of Trekking the Giants' Trail: Alta Via 1 through the Italian Pennine Alps

Map key
Overview map
Route summary table

Introduction
The route
Geography
Geology
History
Art and culture
Wildlife
Plants and flowers
Weather
When to go
Access and travel
In-route transport options
Accommodation
Mountain huts
Clothing
Food and drink
Language
Maps and navigation
Waymarking
Safety and emergencies
Insurance
Using this guide

The Alta Via 1: An Italian Haute Route
Eastern section
Stage 1    Donnas to Sassa (Etoile du Berger)
Stage 2    Sassa (Etoile du Berger) to Rifugio Coda
Stage 2A    The Col Portola Route: Sassa (Etoile du Berger) to Rifugio Coda
Stage 3    Rifugio Coda to Rifugio Barma
Stage 4    Rifugio Barma to Niel (La Gruba)
Stage 5    Niel (La Gruba) to Gressoney-Saint-Jean
Stage 3A    Rifugio Coda to Rifugio della Vecchia
Stage 4A    Rifugio della Vecchia to Rifugio Rivetti
Stage 5A    Rifugio Rivetti to Gressoney-Saint-Jean
Stage 6    Gressoney-Saint-Jean to Rifugio Vieux Crest
Stage 7    Rifugio Vieux Crest to Rifugio Grand Tournalin
Stage 8    Rifugio Grand Tournalin to Cretaz, Valtournenche
Western section
Stage 9    Cretaz, Valtournenche to Rifugio Barmasse
Stage 10    Rifugio Barmasse to Rifugio Cunéy
Stage 11    Rifugio Cunéy to Closé/Oyace/Lexert
Stage 12    Closé/Oyace/Lexert to Ollomont/Rey
Stage 12A    Closé/Oyace/Lexert to Ollomont/Rey: the low route
Stage 13    Ollomont/Rey to Rifugio Champillon
Stage 14    Rifugio Champillon to Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses
Stage 15    Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses to Rifugio Bonatti
Stage 15A    Via Francigena from Saint-Rhémy-en-Bosses to Great St Bernard Monastery
Stage 15B    Great St Bernard Monastery to Rifugio Bonatti
Stage 16    Rifugio Bonatti to Courmayeur

Appendix A    Alternative schedule
Appendix B    Useful contacts
Appendix C    Useful phrases
Appendix D    Kit list

Seasons

Once the rifugi open, from late June to early September each month offers different views and experiences.

Centres

From Donnas the route visits Gressoney-Saint-Jean before passing the world-famous Great St Bernard Monastery to finish in Courmayeur.

Difficulty

Regular, fit walkers will enjoy crossing cols of nearly 3000m and travelling across the 'grain' of the mountains. Harder than the Tour of Mont Blanc, but without technical difficulty, this trek will provide a suitable challenge for those familiar with Alpine trekking looking for quiet huts and stunning views.

Must See

The Alpine giants of Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, the Grand Combin and Mont Blanc form the stupendous backdrop to two weeks' trekking through the old kingdom of Savoy. With almost 1000 years of history, the Great St Bernard Monastery is a rewarding diversion.

August 2025

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