WALKING AND TREKKING IN THE GRAN PARADISO

The Gran Paradiso region nestles in north-western Italy, a stones throw from Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn ranges. This is a marvellous region of magical mountains and rugged, desolate valleys that offers 470km of waymarked routes and an excellent refuge network. The area is relatively undiscovered, and walkers can often enjoy its trails in solitude.This guidebook describes the superb 12 stage Alta Via 2 that leads over 140km from Chardonnay to Courmayeur, passing through the region and beneath the foot of Mont Blanc. It also details 28 day routes in the national park for walkers who prefer shorter excursions.It begins with the long-distance Alta Via 2. It lends itself to numerous variations and each stage could be followed as a day walk. It is an exhilarating long-distance route that cuts its strenuous way across the rugged southern flanks of the Valle dAosta. Originating just outside the eastern edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park, the AV2 offers 12 memorable, energy-packed days through the heart of the protected area. The route is relatively untrodden, making for sublime solitary days. The 12 stages are split equally between high altitude huts and valley hotels to suit everyone. The day stages in the 12-day Alta Via 2 route vary in length from 5.8 to 18.4km and in total the route covers an ascent of 9420m and a descent of 9639m.The successive chapters of the guidebook contain walks suitable for visitors who prefer to make their base in a valley hotel or campsite and embark on shorter excursions. A handful of excellent traverses are also included, brilliant routes that convey walkers to wild exhilarating heights and act as links between the inhabited valleys. Suggestions are given for combining these into a further series of long-distance routes. Each walk ranges from 2 to 33km in length and vary from straightforward paths to routes for experienced alpine walkers.SeasonsMay to October (high altitude refuges open late June to late September). Accommodation busiest in August.CentresTiny Valnontey, Valsavarenche, Eaux Rousses, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Valgrisenche, La Thuile, Ronco Canavese, Ceresole RealeDifficultyAll routes graded: from paths suitable for all to routes requiring alpine experience, with steep and/or exposed sections. 12-day Alta Via 2 is strenuous but suitable for experienced walkers.Must SeeThe walking is wonderful and the alpine wildlife and flowers amongst the best anywhere.