Italy
Country
5, 6 days
Duration
July-September
When
Experienced
Difficulty
Half board
Board
Optional
Luggage transfer
Classic
Accomodation

Nestled in the heart of the Italian Alps, the Gran Paradiso National Park beckons adventure seekers with breathtaking vistas of Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn ranges. This trekking tour offers an opportunity to delve deep into this untouched alpine wilderness.

Highlights:

  • Four or five days of remote trekking: Escape the hustle and bustle of civilization as you embark on a four-day trek through rugged valleys adorned with wildflowers, snow-covered passes, and pristine glacial lakes. This unspoiled environment provides the ideal setting for an immersive alpine adventure.
  • Wildlife encounters: Gran Paradiso National Park is a sanctuary for wildlife, making it a dream destination for nature enthusiasts. Throughout your journey, keep your eyes peeled for ibex and chamois, which call this protected area home. The park’s rich biodiversity and preservation efforts are evident as you explore Italy’s oldest National Park, established in 1922.
  • Overnight stays in alpine huts: Immerse yourself in the warm Alpine hospitality and savor traditional cuisine as you spend your nights in welcoming mountain huts. These cozy retreats offer a perfect respite after a day of trekking.

This self-guided tour provides you with maps and GPS tracks, allowing you to explore the most beautiful trails of Gran Paradiso at your own pace. For those seeking an extra thrill, the tour can be enhanced by combining it with the Gran Paradiso summit climb led by expert Alpine Guides. Customize your experience by adding other outdoor activities and tours upon request.

Set the stage for an unforgettable adventure as you arrive in Valnontey, your gateway to the wild beauty of Gran Paradiso.

Included Services

  • 4 or 5 overnight stays incl. Half-board.
  • Road book with map, route description and GPS waypoints
  • Service hotline
  • Detailed travel documents
  • Transfer at the end of the tour
  • Flight + Transfers to/from tour starting point and during the tour
  • Travel insurance
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
  • Extra nights

What to bring

Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.

Need to have:

Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)

Nice to have:

Walking poles
Power bank
Chocolate
Sandals for the cabins
Plastic bags to keep things dry

FAQ

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

If you cancel your tour 60 days or more before the departure date, you will lose your deposit. If you cancel your tour between 60 and 45 days before the departure date, you will lose 50 per cent of the total tour price. If you cancel your tour within 45 days of the departure date, you will lose the full amount. If you fail to turn up on the first day of your tour, Outdoor Europe may not be able to make arrangements for you to join the rest of the tour, and you will lose the full payment. If, for any reason, Outdoor Europe has to cancel your tour, you will be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.

How do I book my tour?

You can book your tour directly on the Outdoor Europe website. Choose the tour from the dropdown menu, select the date you would like to start, and the number of participants in your group. You can either pay a deposit (60 days or more from the start of your tour) or pay the full amount. Click ‘book’ and follow the instructions. Once we have confirmed your payment, you’ll receive your confirmed tour itinerary within 10 days. There may be seasonal variations in the time it takes us to arrange everything. Please note that programmes on the tour pages are only examples — there may be several differences in the final programme you receive.

How do I pay for my tour?

When booking your tour, you can choose to pay by credit/debit card or direct bank transfer. Direct bank transfers will generally take longer to process, while credit and debit card payments are processed instantly. You are, by default, asked to pay a deposit of 25% of the total cost of the tour. If you choose this option, you will be asked to pay the remaining 75% one month before your tour. Please be sure to follow the payment links you receive in your invoice or reminder email, which we will send you when the second payment is due.

Do I get my own room?

This depends on the individual tour and when you book it. When hiking in the Alps, most people stay in dorms or shared rooms as the availability of single, double and family rooms are limited. We can only guarantee your own room on certain tours such as in the Lys and Ayas Valleys — but only if you book in time. If this is your preference, we will do our best to ensure you get your own room, but please expect to spend some nights in shared accommodation if there is limited availability.

Is baggage transfer included with all your Alpine tours?

Unfortunately, we are not able to offer this service with all our packages. Often, the huts or hotels we work with are in locations that can only be reached by foot or helicopter. Indeed, when choosing a tour that includes baggage transport, there may be one or two exceptions depending on the route. This will appear clearly on the tour page and in the program you receive when your booking has been confirmed.

How many days do your tours last?

All our tours include the day of arrival and the day of departure. This means that a six-day tour will include five nights of accommodation, a seven-day tour will include six nights, and so on. On the first day, guests are usually expected to arrive in the afternoon. And the program does not include any activities except for a briefing by our representative on the first evening. On the day of departure, guests are free to decide if they want to leave directly after breakfast or go on a shorter tour before their journey home.

What meals are included in your Alpine adventure tours?

Most of our tours will include Half Board (HB) services, which means breakfast, a three-course dinner, and a light-packed lunch. Please check the individual tour page for details, however, as variations occur with certain tours.

What is a self-guided tour?

We specialize in self-guided tours. These tours are designed for travelers who love the independence of hiking, skiing, or running on their own but want to know that everything else is taken care of. In some cases, we are able to offer luggage transport to lighten your load as you enjoy the Great Outdoors.

Do you offer group tours?

Whether you’re already a group of friends, business colleagues or a sports club looking for an active mountain adventure, we can design and organize your Alpine tour for you. We also offer guided group tours for individual participants on fixed dates.

Can you create a tour just for me and my friends?

Yes, absolutely! Outdoor Europe can design the perfect mountain adventure for you and your friends or colleagues. Whether you want to hike, ski, run, cycle or climb, we have the expertise and experience needed to create a bespoke package for any level of experience or physicality. Please contact us if you would like us to create a customized package for your group.

Are your outdoor adventure tours family-friendly?

There are few better ways to spend time with your children than with an active holiday in the mountains. Sharing a mountain adventure with your child is a memory that will last a lifetime. We try to design child-friendly variations (marked ‘family’) of all our Alpine tours. Children can hike, ski or bike a lot longer than you might expect, as long as you make it entertaining for them. However, they will respond instantly to the way you behave, so please consider whether you are able to create a safe environment for your children when faced with the many different challenges of an alpine environment.

Do you offer discounts for children?

Yes, we are able to offer a discount for children on most of our tours, provided they are not yet 13 years of age on the first day of the tour. Please see the individual tour page for our child discounts.

Can I travel on my own?

Many single travellers chose Outdoor Europe due to our high level of service and our expertise in self-guided mountain tours. And the safety of one of our representatives will only ever be just a phone call away. However, please expect additional costs, as our prices are based on two persons — the industry standard for outdoor tours of this nature. Private rooms and other services are often more expensive for individual travellers. You can find information about any additional costs for individual travellers on the tour page.

Will I manage?

We are all different. Some of our clients are 70+ and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others may be twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental ability of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for level of physicality, which you can learn more about here. You are of course welcome to call us and we will do our best to advice you. Find your level of physicality here (link to Find your level page).

What if I get lost?

Our local partners know every square inch of this beautiful Alpine region. During the introductory briefing, you will receive an app, physical maps and a phone number to call if you need advice. In some cases, you’ll be able to forward your location to a local guide with the press of a button. This may prove helpful if you become lost.

Do I need travel insurance?

We recommend that you speak to your insurance provider to ensure your existing policy covers mountain-based activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking. Please note that any costs relating to emergency situations and the potential need for evacuation are the sole responsibility of the client.

Will I be able to cope with the physical challenge?

We are all different. Some of our clients are more than 70 years old and have lived an active lifestyle all their life. Others are twenty years younger and have barely left their office chair. It is very difficult to judge the physical and mental capabilities of a person on the basis of a phone conversation. If you are in doubt, each tour is rated for the level of physicality involved, which you can learn more about on our Find Your Level page. You are, of course, welcome to call us, and we will do our best to advise you.

Can I bring my dog?

Enjoying the mountains with your best friend can be a joyful experience, which is why we try to make our tours dog friendly wherever possible. Unfortunately, it is not always possible due to local rules. Selected tours are marked ‘Dog Friendly’ on the tour page. This means that your dog can stay with you in your private room or, in a few cases, the hut will have a separate or external room for dogs. Please refer to the individual tour page for more information.

 

1

Day 1:

Arrival in Valnontey and accommodation in hotel.

2

Day 2: Valtnontey to Sella

Trek Valnontey 1675 m. – Casolari dell’Herbetet 2442 m. – Rifugio Vittorio Sella 2579 m.
The first day of the trek leads you up the lush Valnontey valley, admiring the glaciers of the
Herbetet and Tribolazione peaks while walking on the beautiful trail to the Rifugio Vittorio
Sella, located in an upper valley below the Grivolas peaks. From Casolari dell’Herbetet to Vittorio Sella refuge, the trail cuts the side of the mountain, with
some sections slightly exposed but still on a fairly wide path and with handrails and steps in
potentially more delicate points. Alternatively, to avoid these aided sections, it is possible to go up to the refuge directly from
Valnontey without passing by Casolari Herbetet (path without difficulty, 3h +900 m.).

  •  15 km
  • 1050 m
  •  150 m
  • 5 hours
3

Day 3: Sella to Eaux Rousses

Trek Rifugio Vittorio Sella 2579 m. – Col Lauson 3296 m. – Eaux Rousses 1667 m.
Today a great challenge is awaiting with the Col Lauson pass at 3000 m., entering then in the
Valsavarenche valley, where a long descent awaits before arriving at the valley floor, with
superb landscapes on the Entrelor and Punta Bianca peaks. At Col Lauson, short, slightly exposed stretches, but still on a fairly wide path and with handrails
in potentially more delicate points. Crampons are usually necessary due to the presence of
snow.

  • 17 km
  •  700 m
  •  1600 m
  • 6 hours 30 min
4

Day 4: Eaux Rousses to Marmotte

Trek Eaux Rousses 1667 m. – Col Entrelor 3008 m. – Rifugio Marmotte 2143 m.
The way up to the pass Col Entrelor is quite long, but the nature you will get through and the
snow capped peaks of the Gran Paradiso on your sights will give the right boost to enter then
in the Rhemes valley and arrive at the Rifugio le Marmotte. Colle Entrelor has some passages equipped with steps or fixed ropes, particularly useful when
there is still snow.

  •  13 km
  •  1400 m
  • 900 m
  •  6 hours 30 min
5

Day 5: Martmotte to Benevolo

Trek Rifugio Marmotte 2143 m. – Rifugio Benevolo 2287 m. and optional hikes around the
rifugio.
Today is a more relaxing day, with a nice walk along the Dora di Rhemes river to reache the
Rifugio Benevolo, from where it’s possible to do hikes to reach beautiful lakes and meet local
wildlife. From the Rifugio Benevolo possible excursions to Lago Goletta (2700 m.) or to Lago di Tsanteleina
(2710 m.), about 3h round trip for both destinations.

  • 10 km
  • 500 m
  • 400 m
  • 3 hours 30 min
6

Day 6: Benevolo to Valnontey

Trek Rifugio Benevolo 2287 m. – Col Rosset 3024 m. – Rifugio Savoia 2532 m. – Breuil Valsavarenche
1996 m. – private transfer to Valnontey and departure.
For the last day another great adventure awaits with the Col Rosset pass, leading to the unique
Nivolet Plateau, facing the Gran Paradiso glaciers. A long descent will bring you down to Valsavarenche, where the driver is waiting for the transfer
back to Valnontey.

  • 18 km
  • 800 m
  •  1100 m
  • 6 hours 30 min

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