Contents
Introduction
The Gran Paradiso National Park
Valleys and bases
Information
Access
When to go
How to use this book
Path marking
Dos and don'ts
Emergencies
Mountaineering and guides
Maps
Accommodation
What to take
Wildlife
Vegetation
Local traditions
Further suggestions
Alta Via 2
Stage 1 Chardonney to Rifugio Dondena
Stage 2 Rifugio Dondena to Rifugio Péradzà
Stage 3 Rifugio Péradzà to Cogne
Stage 4 Cogne to Rifugio Vittorio Sella
Stage 5 Rifugio Vittorio Sella to Eaux Rousses
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 La Haut
Stage 10 La Haut to La Thuile
Stage 11 La Thuile to Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini
Stage 12 Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini to Courmayeur
Day Walks
1 The Lillaz Waterfalls
2 Lago di Loie
3 The Money Glacier Terrace
4 The Casolari dell'Herbetet Traverse
5 Punta Pousset – the local ‘Gornergrat’
6 Beneath the Grivola
7 Passo d'Invergneux and the Mines Circuit
8 Laghi di Lussert
9 Pondel's Roman Bridge
10 The 2205m Mont Blanc
11 At the Foot of the Gran Paradiso
12 Over Gran Collet to Col del Nivolet
13 The King's Path in Valle delle Meyes
14 Vallon di Sort
15 Col Rosset
16 Punta Basei
17 Becca della Traversière
18 Legendary San Grato
19 Becca dei Quattro Denti
20 The Royal Track to Ceresole Reale
21 Sentiero Glaciologico Lago Serrù
22 Beneath the Tre Levanne
23 The Villages of Valle dell'Orco
24 Beyond the Dam in Vallone di Piantonetto
25 Nivolastro to Andorina
26 Frescoes and Fridges en route to Bivacco Davito
27 Sanctuary of San Besso
28 Col Larissa
Appendix A Italian-English Glossary
Appendix B Route Summary Table
"It has been my pleasure to follow in Gillian's footsteps all over Italy"
I have used Gillian Price's books for the Dolomiti, Stelvio, and Gran Paradiso, and most recently last year for Alpi Maritime and Mercantour. It has been my pleasure to follow in her footsteps all over Italy. Thanks so much for her wonderful books and sense of humour.
- Sandy
A very useful guide to walking in the beautiful Grand Paradiso
Thank you for writing a very useful guide to walking in the beautiful Grand Paradiso. My wife, Oonagh and I were lucky to squeeze in seven-day trip, primarily on the AV2 in July this year.
Invaluable in planning an itinerary and a regular reassurance on the trail.
A profound thanks for your guidebook. Hiking the AV2 this past summer was a glorious experience. Everything - the wildlife, wildflowers, hospitality, food - was breathtaking. Thanks so much for such a wonderfully-written guide: it was invaluable in planning an itinerary and a regular reassurance on the trail. Staying at La Haut is one of our most cherished experiences. We can't wait to get back.
Josh & Liz
Gillian Price gives detailed information about the area, when to go there, where to stay, and much more.
Another guidebook published this year by this prolific writer [Gillian Price] is about walks in northern Italy. This time she focuses on the beautiful landscape of the Valley of Aosta and surrounding areas of the Gran Paradiso, Italy's first national park declared by King Vittorio Emanuele Ill, grandson of the 'Hunter King' in 1922 to protect the flora and fauna, as well as the beauty of its gorgeous scenery.
Once again, Gillian Price gives detailed information about the area, when to go there, where to stay, and much more. The Valley of Aosta is breathtaking especially in summer. Walks off the beaten track along country and mountain pathways appreciating incredible landscapes and encounters with ibex and chamois in healthy fresh air are out of this world. lt is real paradise for the sporty, as well as for the less equipped and experienced mountain lovers.
The writer recommends various places to see and a large choice of day walks, routes, maps and accommodation shelters for enthusiasts like herself, who enjoy hiking and wish to persevere along their discovery of nature.
Living Italy Magazine
Your wonderful guides have been a pleasure to read, and have been particularly helpful, thank you!
Dear Ms Price,
For the last 20 years, my wife and I have relied heavily on Cicerone guidebooks. Your wonderful guides for Amalfi, Dolomites, and Gran Paradiso have been a pleasure to read, and have been particularly helpful, thank you!
Thanks again!
Dan & Cheryl
Seattle, WA