Gran Paradiso Guided Hike

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Walking Trekking and Hiking Adventure Guided and Escorted

Carbon neutral

7 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

14 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Bourg , France

Ends

Lyon, France

Highlights

Trek through stunning alpine scenery in Italy’s first national park

View ibex and chamois as you hike

Stay in atmospheric refuges with superb views and hearty cuisine

Share your hiking day with a group of like minded travellers

Gran Paradiso Guided Hike

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What's Included

Accommodation

6 nights accommodation in mountain refuges in dormitory style accommodation. Alternatively you can upgrade to 2 nights dorm, 2 nights double room and 2 nights quad - on request only, limited availability, supplement applies.

Meals

6 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) – continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee, tea and juices. Lunch is picnic style. Dinner will consist of 2 or 3 courses which include regional specialties

Transport

Transfer to Bourg St Maurice on Day 7 at the end of your hike

Guide

Experienced certified mountain guide

Others

Luggage transfer by mule, 1 piece maximum 6kg nett (not including the supplied duffle bag) - additional luggage storage available, fees apply, must be pre booked

What's Excluded

Tour Availability

Select your preferred departure date and secure your spot

Cyber Monday Extended SalesUp to 3% off

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Good to Know

Cancellation

Payment

Travel Insurance

Visa

Do you need help from our trip consultants?

If you have any question about this tour or need help with planning a trip, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Our travel experts are ready to help.

Jane Andersen

Sine

Rasmus Juul Olsen

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Itinerary

Head deep into the Aosta Valley on foot to experience the rugged alpine beauty of the Gran Paradiso National Park. Deep in Italy's Aosta Valley on the border with France, is Italy's first national park, so declared by King Victor Emmanuel III in 1922 in the tradition of his grandfather who had named it a Royal Game Reserve in 1856 to protect the ibex and chamois populations. As a direct result of this decree, encounters with these animals occur daily in Park, in the valleys and high on alpine passes. With much of the walk over 2000m (up to a maximum altitude of 3152m), it is not suprising that the scenery is exceptional with views to Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn ranges from the high passes and lookouts encountered. Rugged valleys carpeted in wildflowers, rocky snow covered passes and glacial lakes are typical of this alpine paradise. At night the hosts of the rifugi (mountain refuges) welcome you with good quality mountain cuisine and a dining room brimming with atmosphere.

day 1 - Meet Bourg St Maurice, transfer to Ste Foy en Tarentaise, ascend to the refuge (4hrs)

After meeting in Bourg St Maurice (at 10:30am), the last major town before the Alps in the Tarentaise Valley, we transfer to Ste Foy en Tarentaise, a pretty ski town in the heart of the French Alps. It is close to here that we begin our hike up the Tarentaise Valley past verdant green pastures and grazing animals to our overnight refuge, Refuge de l'Archeboc (2030m/6660ft). Possibility to walk longer route and swim at an alpine lake, (+1100m/3609ft at guides discretion). The refuge is set amongst the pastures with lovely views to the surrounding peaks. Shower available (depending on current energy source it may be cold showers only).

(+600m/1969ft)

Meals:Lunch and Dinner

day 2 - Cross border into Italy via the Col du Mont to arrive in the Gran Paradiso NP (6hrs)

After breakfast, we ascend the Col du Mont (2636m/8648ft), marking our departure from the Vanoise National Park (and France) and into the Gran Paradiso National Park and Italy. The ascent is sustained yet the views from the pass are breathtaking to Pointe d’Archeboc (3272m/10,734ft) in the south and Becca du Lac (3405m/11,171ft) in the north. Long descent followed by a short ascent to the refuge for overnight accommodation. Overnight Refuge de l'Epée (2370m/7776ft). Shower available. (+1200m/3937ft, -850m/2789ft)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 3 - A stunning traverse of the flanks of the Grande Rousse to Refuge Bezzi (5hrs)

A great day trekking in Italy with views of the stunning Grande Rousse (3607m/11,834ft) which resembles a leaning Matterhorn. The hike from the refuge takes you through marshlands and farmlands, to woods of Larch trees beneath which you may find the pink alpenrose and some bilberry shrubs. Keep your eyes peeled for the local herd of Ibex. Soon you reach a trail junction at 1850m/6099ft from which you head south along the Dora di Valgrisenche (small river) to ascend to Refuge Bezzi (solar heated free showers, 2284m/7493ft).

(+798m/2617ft, -1340m/4395ft)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 4 - Ascend permanently snow covered Col du Bassac, descend to Rifugio Benevolo (5.5hrs)

A rewarding day today if the weather is good. Ascending a rocky path awash with wildflowers and with small waterfalls on the side of the trail. On the ascent to the pass you may need to cross small streams. The valley opens out as you near the pass and there are stunning views of the alps to the north including the distant Mont Blanc. Soon you reach the narrow saddle of Col Bassac Déré (3082m/10,112ft) with its awesome view of the Ghiacciaio di Glairettaz which is an enormous expanse of ice filling the valley, to the west the Grande Sassière and to the east the sweeping view from the Gran Paradiso to the Grivola in the northeast. It is possible to ascend further up to the Becca della Traversère (3337m/10,948ft) depending on weather conditions and group fitness. Descending switchbacks and past the Lago Goletta, you continue down through a rocky landscape with possible sightings of Ibex. Cross a small stone bridge before you ascend to the refuge Benevolo (2285m/7497ft).

(+750m/2460ft, -1350m/4430ft)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 5 - A sustained ascent to Col Basei or Col Rosset and descent to Rifugio Savoya (5-6hrs)

The morning is the best time to view the towering Granta Parei (or Great Wall) which is lit up with the sun. There are two options for our hike today. Either a challenging route via the Col Basei (3176m/10,420ft) or a less challenging route via the Col Rosset (3023m/9918ft). Both options offer superb alpine views of tumbling glaciers and snowy peaks. Just after passing by Lago Leytaz, the two trails converge and you descend further to reach Rifugio Savoya (2534m/8314ft). Shower available. This evening you may be offered to try the 'grolla' or friendship cup which is passed around the group until all the drink is finished - an Aosta tradition.

(+900m/2297ft, -630m/2067ft or +738m/2421ft, -491m/1607ft)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 6 - Descend to the historic Rifugio Vittorio Emmanuele II (2732m) (5hrs)

Descend along the valley of Piano del Nivolet dominated by Mont Taou Blanc and Punta Basei where small glaciers and snowy peaks are the norm. Entering a new valley you ascend to Gran Collet Pass (2832m/9291ft) which has views of Gran Paradiso and on the descent from the pass, clear views of Ciarforon, Tresenta and the glistening metal roof of Rifugio Vittorio Emmanuele II. From Pont you ascend from the valley floor up a wide landscape to the Rifugio. The distinctive barrel shaped Rifugio Vittorio Emmanuelle II was established in 1884 and the original small hut is still used as an annex (2735m/8973ft). On the surrounding ridges you may spot ibex while chamois will almost certainly be grazing on nearby pastures.

Shower available.

(+1208m/3963ft, -1050m/3445ft)

Meals:Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

day 7 - Descend to roadhead then transfer to Bourg Saint Maurice (4hrs), trip concludes

On the last day of our trek, we follow an undulating trail through a rocky valley (with more descents than ascents), crossing over alpine streams to a wooden bridge. We may detour to Rifugio Chabod (2750m/9022ft), before continuing our descent past chamois and ibex and through larch forest to the Alpe de Lavassey farm at 2194m/7198ft. The final stage is through farm land to the roadhead at Pont (Valsavarenche) at around 1:30-2pm. From here the group is transferred back to Bourg Saint Maurice where the trip concludes around 5pm.

(+300m/984ft, -1165m/3822ft)

** Option (to be confirmed during the week and dependent on weather conditions and your fitness: climb Gran Paradiso peak 4061m from Victor Emmanuelle hut. This is an excursion at high altitude, for experienced hikers, however there are no particular technical difficulties. 2025 Price: 840€ / per guide for 4 participants + pack 17€/pers (harness, rope, ice axe etc) - payable locally (subject to change). Further information available on request.

Approx 4-5hrs ascent/2.5-3hr descent, +1,326 m/4350ft, -2,101m/6890ft

Meals:Breakfast and Lunch

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Sep 23, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Just wanted to say thank you to you and your team. The trip was amazing. Right from the first contact we made with you and your team things ran seamlessly. The walk itself was one none of us will ever forget. The 6 days prior to the Gran Paradiso summit were unreal. Every day I found myself having to stop and look around at the absolute beauty of our surroundings. The accommodation was very well organised and really well looked after. All the staff were very friendly and helpful. The food on the other hand was top notch. After a full day of walking nothing better than a hearty homemade meal – 3 courses none the less… Couldn’t fault anything relating to the accommodation at all. The guides Max and Arnold as well as Robust the mule were incredibly helpful and friendly. Nothing was too much, and their knowledge of the area and the environment was quite incredible. They made the whole experience unforgettable. Lunches out on the mountain were simple yet perfect. The summit of Gran Paradiso was something that took a lot of us out of our comfort zones. It was definitely the hardest day of walking that I have experienced. Very satisfying to reach the summit after 4.5hrs of walking. The views were amazing. We will definitely be back to walk more of these trails. Thanks again for your help in setting this up for our group.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Sep 18, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

We booked a 7 day trip with U-Tracks, with the ultimate goal of summiting Gran Paradiso. We were a group of 11 work colleagues who annually take on a charity event with this being the selected even this year. I must admit the trip was spectacular. the 6 day 'approach' to gran paradiso was varied in the way of physical challenge and then scenery. our guide - max was first class. he was able to assess the group and maintained a superb pace to keep us all moving. this was the first time we had taken on something as demanding as this (the final day in particular). The last day summit of gran paradiso was physically challenging but not technically (the very final summit section becomes technical but very well managed). the whole trip was fantastic from start to finish. I would 100% recommend and use again.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Sep 9, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Well organised. Good lodgings and food throughout trip. Guide was brilliant.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Jul 29, 2025

5.0

5.0 out of 5

Excellent trip - absolutely stunning views, and the tracks were mostly clear, it felt like we’re were the only ones there. The guide was excellent, very well organised and it was a very rewarding trip all round.

A

AnonymousVerified Traveler

Sep 20, 2024

5.0

5.0 out of 5

That was a fantastic, vibrant and unforgettable trip. Rushing rivers, sparkling waterfalls, snowy peaks and blue skies. The Gran Paradiso region is rich in forests, the slopes were strewn with blueberries and raspberries. There were both flat, easy areas, as well as steep piles of stones, so the difficulty level 4/5 - is very realistic. Nice authentic accommodation places, always great lunches and dinners. Just breakfast could be more rich. And we were lucky with our great guide Matthieu - always friendly, helpful, joking and sharing good mood with everyone.