Cicerone Guides: Walking and Trekking in the Gran Paradiso Alta Via 2 Trek and 28 Day Walks

About this book

A guidebook to walking in the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Italian Alps, describing the 12-stage Alta Via 2 trek between Courmayeur and Chardonnay, and 28 walks ranging from 2 to 33 km, as well as suggestions for combining routes into long-distance hikes. The Gran Paradiso sits in the Valle d'Aosta, in northwestern Italy, a region verging on pristine wilderness. Views of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn ranges can be seen from routes in this guide. Despite its attractions, the park is relatively undiscovered. Walkers can often enjoy unforgettable days on excellent trails through spectacular valleys all to themselves, even at the height of the summer season. The guidebook provides plenty of practical information on getting to and around the Gran Paradiso, as well as advice on accommodation, language, equipment, planning and how to make the most out of any adventure in one of Italy's most spectacular national parks. A wealth of detail on points of interest walkers can explore, as well as information on wildlife, history, geology and flowers is also included.

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

Customer Reviews

Biography

Gillian Price was born in England but has lived in Venice for many years. Gillian has steadily explored the mountain ranges of Italy and Corsica, and brought them to life for visitors in a series of outstanding guides for Cicerone. She is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and Mountain Wilderness.