Hiking in the Gran Paradiso National Park
This circular hiking trip in the Italian Alps takes in the best of the Gran Paradiso National Park. High mountain rifugios and cosy hotels, stunning sunsets, tasty traditional Italian food, and a 'glass' on the terrace watching the wildlife. Get fit over the six hiking days then add in the option to climb the Gran Paradiso mountain, the highest summit entirely in Italian territory.
Join us for this challenging hike in the Gran Paradiso National Park, it's a gem of a trip! The Gran Paradiso offers some of Italy's finest trails in a spectacular setting. It is an area rich in flora and fauna thanks to its protected status and where large herds of alpine ibex and chamois are to be found grazing in the flower meadows.
The area, between the Aosta valley and the Italian Piedmont region, was named as a paradise (paradiso) for good reason. It was here in 1856 that King Vittorio Emauele II established a royal hunting reserve, saving the wild ibex from extinction. Today the Park is involved in ecology and conservation. Wildlife includes the ibex which is the symbol of the Park, chamois, marmot, mountain hare, badgers, foxes, martens, and weasels. Birds include the golden eagle, the bearded vulture which has recently returned to nest in the Park, as well as buzzards, kestrels and other birds of prey.
Summit the Gran Paradiso mountain
You can now choose to climb the Gran Paradiso mountain at the end of your hiking trip. The highest mountain entirely in Italy the summit sits at 4,061 m (13,320 ft) and is a relatively straightforward ascent and a stunning finale to your week. The ascent will be with a professional High Mountain Guide, and require the use of crampons. For more details refer to Trip Information and Optional Activities or contact us.
Grade: Expert
READ GRADE DESCRIPTIONAt a Glance
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Countries Visited | Italy |
Dates and Prices
No Departures Available
There are currently no scheduled departures for this holiday. Please contact us for more information about future dates.
Itinerary
This evening your guide will meet you at your accommodation in Aosta, Italy at approximately 1800 hrs. Aosta is an old Roman town, founded in 25BC, and is well worth exploring. We ask that you aim to arrive late afternoon or early evening at your hotel to join your briefing which is usually before dinner. For this trip you will carry everything you require for the week in your rucksack, but you will be able to leave unwanted luggage at the hotel for your return. Refer to 'Trip Information', 'Arrival & Departure' for travel details.
From the Aosta Valley we take a transfer up the mountain road into Valsavarenche. The spectacular twists and turns take us high into the valley to the tiny hamlet of Pont, at 1952m (6402ft). This is our starting point for our circuit of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Pont is lovely, with traditional houses scattered around the flower meadows. After an Italian coffee, the first of many this trip, we begin our climb to reach the Col Grand Collet at 2832m (9288ft). Rock spires and ridges soar above us as we climb and you have your first taste of this beautiful landscape, often herds of ibex are 'chilling out' at the pass. After a rest at the Col, and our lunch, we head down under the Pointe de la Roley, eventually arriving at the large meadow and marshlands which surround the Laghi del Nivolet, 'the lake of the snow'. We pass the lake and make our way to our rifugio at Savoia.
Ascent: 1118m (3667ft) Descent: 857m (2810ft) Distance: 11km (6.8 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
From the Rifugio we set off through grassy meadows rich in alpine flowers, and make our way to the lakes of Lago Leyta and Lago Rosset. The views of the valley and the surrounding peaks are stunning as we climb steadily towards the Col Rosset at 3025m (9922ft). Look out for the iconic edelweiss here! On our climb we pass between rocky cliff bands as the terrain becomes steadily wilder, and the feeling of remoteness grows. There are marmots in quantity beside the path, and the youngsters have been know to collide with the guides legs in their haste to rush back home! From the Col we descend steeply at first as we traverse across the mountain side to reach the Rifugio Benevelo at 2287m (7501ft), our accommodation for the night. The 'Rifugio Gian Federico Benevelo' was built in 1930 and is a traditional Italian mountain hut. It was recently renovated and now has hot showers! Of an evening it's a cosy and characterful place to spend the night surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. There is usually a 'tame' fox who likes to visit the hut in the evening, probably as part of its patrol of its territory.
Ascent: 685m (2246ft) Descent: 960m (3148ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
We leave our cosy rifugio, heading out of the door and straight up the mountain this morning as we climb steadily to the Col Bassac Dere at 3085m (10,118ft). There are edelweiss to be found growing on this slope, and a photo opportunity not to be missed! It is a relatively rare flower and not to be found on all walking routes. The flower is said to signify deep love and devotion whereby men harvest the flower on daring steep and sometimes fatal climbs to prove their love and devotion to their partner.
Today is another day of wild, glaciated terrain as we hike past the Lac de Golette and the glacier of the same name. On this trip we are often walking very close to the glaciers which gives a true feeling of high, wild mountains, without the need for any of the technical equipment used to hike actually 'on' the glacier - a real bonus. Once at the Col we are greeted with distant views to the peak of Grand Sassiere, and the immense rocky ridgeline ahead. If conditions allow it is possible from the Col to climb a little further to the summit of the Becca della Traversiere, but we will need good weather for this. Our descent into Valgrisenche provides another wild valley with ribbons of streams and torrents cascading from the surrounding mountains. We spend the night at the Rifugio Mario Bezzi, at 2279m (9115ft). The rifugio has an interesting history and is named after Mario Bezzi (1868-1927) who was a grammar teacher, and professor of zoology at the University of Turin. He was also director of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin. Even today he is considered one of the world's leading entomologists, specialising in studying flies and mosquitoes.
Ascent: 980m (3214ft) Descent: 987m (3237ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 7h00-8h30
Today begins with a relatively easy start from the Rifugio Bezzi as we take a high traversing mountain path and begin our journey towards the quaint Italian village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame. We have an easier day in terms of ascent as we wind our way in and out of gully lines with fine views the length of Valgrisenche as we head for the Chalet de l'Epee. We usually arrive here around lunchtime and if the guardian is in residence we will stop here for something to eat. After lunch we have a steady and relatively easy climb that follows the valley up to the Colle Finestra de Torrent at 2875m (9430ft). Watch out for the chamois and Gran Paradiso icon, the ibex, on this section as there are usually herds to be found in this remote valley. A short, but steep descent leads us down from the Col to reach Rhêmes-Notre-Dame where we will spend the night.
The high Val di Rhêmes, now the parish and municipality of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, only became a popular hikers destination a few decades ago due to its extraordinary beauty and remarkable preservation of its ancient architectural heritage. Indeed, it wasn't until after WWII that a proper road was built and only since the late 1960s has it been possible to keep the road open for much of the winter. Rhêmes-Notre-Dame is the only community in Italy with twice as many hotel beds as residents!
Ascent: 1360m (4460ft) Descent: 1690m (5543ft) Distance: 19km (11.8 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
Leaving the lovely village of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame we set off for the high pass of Col d'Entrelor which sits at 3007m (9862ft). We leave the ancient buildings clustered around the heart of the village, and enter the larch forests for the beginning of our climb. Many of the local houses will have been constructed from larch as it is a more durable wood than pine. However, it is also more expensive and it is said that if you have clearly built your house from larch you are signalling that you are more affluent than your neighbours. Eventually we rise above the larch and pine forests and reach several alpine meadows at Plan de Feya where there are several ancient shepherd huts. The trail becomes rocky here with a short section of chain that helps us gain the our Col. It is at this point that you will realise that we have come full circle and that once again we are looking down into Valsavarenche where we began our journey. Here we are rewarded with fine views of Italy's highest peak, the Gran Paradiso with its summit at 4061m (13,320ft). The Gran Paradiso is the highest mountain in Italy with its summit entirely 'in' Italy. Its competitor is Mont Blanc which is the highest mountain in Western Europe with a summit that is shared by Italy and France. Though it is often disputed as to who has the highest point of Mont Blanc! We spend the afternoon descending and traversing the mountain side via lakes and more high summer meadows to reach the village of Eau Rousse and our hotel for the night. Eau Rousse means 'red water, and it takes its name from the nearby waterfall where the iron in the rock has been released by the water and has coloured the rock a rich red.
Ascent: 1300m (4264ft) Descent: 1345m (4411ft) Distance: 16km (10 miles) Duration: 8h00-9h00
After a hearty breakfast in our characterful Hostellerie du Paradis, we head off for a final but spectacular day into the shadow of the Gran Paradiso itself. We climb easily through the larch woods to the Rifugio Ferdico Chabod at 2750m (9020ft), arriving late morning. We often wander past herds of chamois and ibex as many of these mountain animals are to be found grazing above the rifugio. The Grand Paradiso National Park was in fact set up to protect and conserve the herds of Ibex, and today they thrive in relatively large numbers. The rifugio, built in the 1970's, is used as one of the starting points for the summit bid on the Gran Paradiso, and offers us spectacular lunchtime views. It's likely we will see climbers returning from their ascent, often looking rather tired! We spend the afternoon traversing the mountainside passing below the space-age looking Rigufio Vittorio Emanuele. We then descend through the forest to our starting point at Pont. On the way down there are great photo opportunities of the mountains through which we have spent the week walking. A well earned Italian hot chocolate or beer awaits in the cafe at the bottom of the trail, where we will be picked up and driven back to Aosta, a journey of just under one hour.
Ascent: 1288m (4224ft) Descent: 983m (3224ft) Distance: 17km (10.6 miles) Duration: 7h00-9h00
NB: Please note that unessential items for today's walk can be stowed at the hotel in Eau Rousse ensuring a lighter rucksack for your final day. Those who have chosen to do the Gran Paradiso summit will be dropped off at the Rifugio Chabod where you will meet your high mountain guide. You can spend the afternoon resting before the climb the following day.
Today is your departure day from Aosta. Refer to 'Trip Information', 'Arrival & Departure' for travel details.
It is our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
Accommodation
Rifugio Benevelo
The Rifugio Benevelo is situated at the end of Rhêmes Notre Dame valley bordering the Gran Paradiso National Park. First opened in 1930, the rifugio was built by the Italian Alpine Club of Turin, in memory of Gian Federico Benevolo, a mountaineer who had died in 1927 on Bionassay pass near Mont Blanc. In 2013 the hut changed hands and renovation work was done to install toilets, and showers.
As with many of these high mountain huts it has an interesting history and In the last years of World War II, it was seriously damaged by the Nazi-Fascist armies. Today it is a lovely place to stay and the surroundings are wonderful, high snowy glaciated peaks, alpine meadows and waterfalls.
Albergo Galisia, Rhemes-Notre-Dame
Tonight we stay in the tiny village of Rhêmes-notre-Dame with its traditional buildings and a population of only 120 souls. The Albergo Galisia is a comfortable and cosy albergo, which is situated right in the heart of the village. 'Albergo' is simply the Italian term of an 'inn', or small hotel. The Galisia serves good tasty local dishes, and has a sunny corner to enjoy a drink.
Tonight your accommodation will be in bedrooms, with ensuite facilities.
Rifugio Mario Bezzi
The Rifugio Bezzi is a lovely place to spend the night, high in a meadow at 2282m (7484ft) in the mountains with a lake nearby, and surrounded by wild peaks. There is a cosy bar where you can enjoy excellent cappuccino, or local wines from the Aosta valley. There are also showers which are always welcome! The accommodation is dormitory style.
The rifugio has an interesting history and is named after Mario Bezzi (1868-1927) who was a grammar teacher, and professor of zoology at the University of Turin. He was also director of the Museum of Natural Sciences of Turin. Even today he is considered one of the world's leading entomologists, specialising in studying flies and mosquitoes.
The rifugio was started in 1925 as a mountaineering and military support and completed in 1927, and was built as a replica of the nearby Rifugio Benevelo which is located at the same altitude. In 1982 the Bezzi was taken over by the Barrel family who then bought it in 1991, and extended it to its current size.
Hostellerie du Paradis, Eau Rousse
The Hostellerie du Paradis has been welcoming mountaineers, and hikers for generations. It sits right at the end of our trail and our first stop is often the terrace for a 'refreshment'. It is very traditional in terms of decor and style and a cosy overnight stop. The bedrooms are comfortable and en suite, and dinner is very Italian.
The name of the hotel 'Paradis' represents a long tradition of hospitality started in the last century by the manager of the old hotel, that tradition was continued by his son who was the builder of the present hotel in 1932. Completed after the war by his heirs it re-opened as the Hostellerie du Paradis. We love staying here.
Rifugio Savoia
The Rifugio Savoia hut sits in a stunning valley, just above a small lake. From its creation in 1921 to the present day, it has been owned and managed by the Dayné family. The Rifugio Savoia consists of three structures: the main one with the restaurant and rooms, the bar and a more detached annex. The hut has 10 rooms, of which 2 are double rooms and the others are small dorm rooms with have 4 or 5 beds each. After your days hike you can look forward to a warm welcome and the prospect of enjoying a hearty traditional meal served in the restaurant.
Duca d'Aosta, Aosta
The Duca d'Aosta 4* hotel is in the heart of the ancient Roman town of Aosta. The hotel has sixty bedrooms inspired by the design of the 1950's and 1960's, with oak wooden floors, stone clad showers, featuring amid art and antiques. The bedrooms have fibre wifi connection and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel is only 200m from the Porta Pretoria, which is an imposing stone gateway dating to Roman times, close by you can also find the Roman Theatre.
Trip Information
It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Tracks & Trails cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue It is a condition of booking you are insured for mountain rescue, medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. The exception to the mountain rescue insurance requirement is if the trip is taking place in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Ensure your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude can be checked in the 'At A Glance' box on the trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the minimum numbers required. In this case we offer a full refund or the option to transfer to another trip.
Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.
All the above is detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further information on insurance options click here.
On many trips there will be an element of 'group kit'. This kit will will be minimal and usually a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example, on a week-long trip you may carry a shelter for one day before passing it to the next person. If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items, such as a snow shovel, probe, spare ski pole etc.
For each trip a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm your trip will go-ahead. Minimum and maximum numbers are displayed in 'At a Glance' on the righthand of the trip page. If you book travel before we have emailed to confirm the trip is guaranteed we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss.
Tracks and Trails go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation. Your guide has our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. Your hiking guide will be a qualified International Mountain Leader. IML's are not only qualified to ensure the safe management of the group, but are also a source of knowledge about the local flora and fauna, culture and traditions. You can learn more about our guides on the About Us page.
The statistics given on your itinerary relating to ascent, descent and distance should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required. This is a guideline to help you decide if, based on previous experience, your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip. We ask you to note that the even the most modern of technology can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance.
Food On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes. If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us. We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water If the accommodation has a problem with the water supply they will post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water, otherwise it is normal to drink from the tap. Hotels - It is not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water at the evening meal. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost. Mountain Huts - If your trip features a stay in a mountain hut/refuge and the tap water is not potable then Tracks and Trails will cover the cost of bottled water at the evening meal. Sparkling water is not included in this option and any cost should be covered by you.
Plastic credit or debit cards or smartphone pay systems are increasingly accepted throughout the areas where we run trips. Some countries, such as Norway, are moving towards a cashless society. However, in Europe, in the mountain areas where we run trips, a small amount of cash in the local currency is useful. For example, if you stop at a family-run mountain cafe or farm they may not accept cards or smartphone systems, and cash will be necessary. We recommend having enough cash in the local currency to pay for a few snacks and drinks. Whether to bring cash or not is at your own discretion.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in your luggage. If your trip does not include luggage support carry a paper copy with you, but separate from your passport. You should check passport requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
NEW European Travel Regulations 2026 If you are travelling to Europe you may be impacted by a change to travel regulations. In the last quarter of 2026, the European Commission will roll out a U.S. style electronic travel authorisation system for visitors from countries that are currently not part of the EU. It is your responsibility to check for updates with regard to the introduction date.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
If your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut a slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be useful for recharging phones etc. This type of accommodation will generally have electricity, but it may be limited in supply, and it is not always possible to charge items.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. If you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor. We advise you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
GHIC For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring your Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). The GHIC gives access to state healthcare in Europe either free or at a reduced cost. The GHIC is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
EHIC If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you should apply for a GHIC.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We operate a zero tolerance for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all items from the mountain, this includes toilet tissue, and those items you consider to be bio-degradable.
The waste water in mountain huts, also known as refuges/rifugios, often runs into nearby streams and rivers with a potential impact on the eco-system, though in many places steps are now being taken to avoid this. Whether or not your trip involves staying in a mountain hut we would nevertheless recommend you consider nature friendly sunscreens which only contain mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as oxide, and titanium dioxide.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means the price of our trips can change overnight. We have undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. Most people have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply. Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic/sandwich from your accommodation, or your guide/instructor will advise you of options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.