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At the Foot of Gran Paradiso
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/ The Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele IIPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd -
/ Mount Tresenta (3609m) from the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele IIPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd
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/ Alpine flowers on the traverse trail between Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II and Rifugio ChabodPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd
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/ Views of the Gran Paradiso peaks from Rifugio ChabodPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd
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/ The traverse trail at the foot of Gran ParadisoPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd
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/ The welcoming Rifugio ChabodPhoto: Fiona Marshall, Macs Adventure Ltd
Author’s recommendation
Safety information
Please note that the path from Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II to Rifugio Chabod should not be attempted in bad weather: snow, low visibility or rain. The path crosses several boulder fields and many rock slabs and can be treacherous in slippery conditions. Whilst the path is defined, it is more of a mountain trail than the more frequented ascent and descent routes and route-finding may be tricky in limited visibility. It is also a long day with considerable amounts of ascent/descent so please make your decision to continue carefully. That said, in good weather the path is wonderful and offers stunning views of Gran Paradiso, the surrounding peaks and to the valley below.Tips, hints and links
Points of Interest
Gran Paradiso
At 4061m, Gran Paradiso is the highest mountain entirely in Italy (Mt Blanc, or Monte Bianco to the Italians straddles the border with France) and the only peak in the country that exceeds 4000m. The first recorded ascent was by English climbers JJ Cowell and W Dundas (aided by French guides Michel Payrot and Jean Tairraz) in 1860. These days it is a popular mountaineering objective, thought of as one of the easiest 4000m peaks to climb in the Alps and a good introduction to alpine climbing. Generally accessed by either Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II or Rifugio Chabod, the route to the summit is longer (but more scenic) from the latter. Part of the fun of this walk is the opportunity to sit outside the rifugi in the sun, soaking up the views and the buzz of arriving and departing climbers high on summit fever!
Gran Paradiso Rifugi
If you undertake the full traverse, you will experience two of the better-known mountain refuges inn the Italian Alps. The Vittorio Emanuele II refugio (2732m) was part of the game hunting infrastructure created by the hunter King. The original building was very small and the distinctive metallic new structure was added in 1961 to augment the original. Although you can’t see Gran Paradiso from here, the rifugio buzzes with mountaineering activity as many climbers use the hut as their base to climb the mountain. The other base for climbing Gran Paradiso is the second refuge on this hike, the Rifugio Chabod (2750m). Situated in a magnificent position, it faces the north-western face of Gran Paradiso. This more modern refuge was named after a local citizen who became the first President of Aosta’s autonomous government after World War II.
Alpine Flora
One of the joys of walking in the Gran Paradiso National Park in the summertime is the abundance of fabulous alpine flowers, at their best in July. At lower levels, the hillsides are generally covered in woodland dominated by larch, pine and juniper. Dwarf juniper and birch are also to be found in the higher reaches where the treeline fades away to the more open Alpine zone. Alpenrose shrubs, with their distinctive pink flowers, are numerous at the fringe of the treeline and higher up the slopes. The Glacier Crowfoot blooms at altitudes of up to 4200m, and varieties of saxifrage grow in the high rock buttresses. Lower down, high pasture lands are carpeted by a range of orchids, lilies and smaller blooms. Edelweiss are rare in the park but can be found in several places (including on the Kings Path walk). Species that are endemic to the Gran Paradiso National Park include the Twinflower (Linnaea Borealis), Cinquefoil of Pensylvania (Potentilla Pensylvanica), Mikvetch Major (Astragalus Alopecurus) and Thomas Herb (Aethionema Thomasinium). You don’t have to be able to identify any of the species, or know the Latin names, to enjoy the sheer variety of flowers as they adorn the landscape with colour.
Food & Drink
It’s best to bring a packed lunch on today’s route as the Rifugio Vittorio Emmanuele II does not serve food or drinks during the day (although the Rifugio Chabod does). There is a small shop in Pont where you can buy basic supplies of food and drink to take with you on the walk, alternatively ask your hotel to provide a packed lunch (be sure to order the night before).
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
0.00 km – Start your walk at the small Gran Paradiso National Park hut on the opposite side of the car park to the Gran Paradiso Hotel. With your back to the hut, facing the car park, TURN LEFT to take the path over the river.
0.05 km – Cross the wooden bridge across the river then TURN RIGHT to take the path heading towards the head of the valley.
0.50 km – Ignore the turning to the left sigposting the nearby rifugio and continue to follow the wide track along the river.
1.10 km – Pass in front of the Rifugio Tetras Lyre and continue to follow the wide stoney path. Just beyond the Rifugio, BEAR LEFT to take path no.1 (marked with yellow paint on a rock) to take the rocky path ascending the hillside.
1.30 km – The path splits, continue STRAIGHT AHEAD ignoring smaller paths to the left and right. After crossing a small wooden bridge continue to ascend looking out for the yellow way markers. The zig-zag path ascends the hillside up to the right side of a big waterfall.
2.20 km – The gradient flattens out here (approx. 2200m) as you emerge from the ravine. Continue to follow the well-defined path.
2.60km – At 2300m, the path skirts to the left of some ruined huts, marked on the map as Alpe Chante, before continuing to ascend the mountainside.
4.10 km – At approx 2655m, the path emerges into a more open area of boulders. There is a viewpoint approx. 10m to the right of the path here (marked by a wooden pole). Divert from the path and enjoy views down to the valley below before returning to the path and walking STRAIGHT ON making the final ascent to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II. The distinctive refuge building should now be in sight ahead of you to the left.
4.40 km – Just below the Rifugio (approx. 2695m), note the yellow Gran Paradiso National Park waymark signpost. There are 2 signs – one indicating the descent to the valley via path no. 1 (your ascent route) and the other indicating the path to the Rifugio Chabod (2 hrs). Continue beyond this point following the path to the Rifugio.
4.50 km – You have reached the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II at 2710m. Well done! Take a break and enjoy the views. Although Gran Paradiso is not visible from here, there are fantastic mountain vistas including the large peak called Mont Tresenta (3609m). You can choose to return to Pont, retracing your steps (approx. 1 hr 40 – 2 hours) or if the conditions are good, continue the walk to the Rifugio Chabod for views of Gran Paradiso. If you want to continue to the second refuge, retrace your steps to the yellow national park sign for the Rifugio Chabod and TURN RIGHT onto path no. 1A.
4.60 km – The path is less distinct as you cross a boulder-strewn valley so be sure to continue to look out for the helpful yellow arrow markers on the rocks.
5.10 km – The boulders dissipate – cross the river via a stone bridge taking care to watch out for the yellow arrows. From here the views of Gran Paradiso open up to your right. Go STRAIGHT AHEAD after crossing the stone bridge.
5.50 km – The path continues across the rocky terrain, take care to look out for small cairns that now appear in addition to the yellow way marks.
5.70 km - Cross the rocky slabs, making sure you follow the route marked by the cairns and yellow arrows.
6.00 km – Look out for the yellow path marker on a large boulder and continue STRAIGHT AHEAD. Beyond this point, the path traverses a rocky boulder field. Take care here to stay on the path (marked by cairns and yellow arrows). Beyond the boulders, the path BEARS RIGHT to descend very slightly.
6.60 km – After descending from the boulder field on a stepped path – take care. Round the nose of Testa de Montcorve and note how the views change. Views of the distinctive peaks of Grand Nomenon (3488m) and Grivola (3969m) now dominate.
6.80 km – Another boulder field (2555m) approaches, so please take care and continue to look out for cairns and arrows as the path begins to ascend slightly.
7.30 km – The path descends towards a water course with views of Gran Paradiso to the right and the Valsaverenche to the left.
7.40km – Approach another boulder field, take care to look out for the yellow markers on the rocks indicating path 1A. This set of boulders is particularly tricky and if you are walking with poles, we recommend you put them in your bag so you can use your hands to aid balance and progress.
7.60km – The path ascends some rocky slabs – take care to look out for the yellow markers and the cairns before the path descends again into another valley of rocky boulders.
8.30km – After the boulder field, the path ascends to cross another ridge before descending again.
8.60km – The path winds around the rocky hillside and crosses a water course via a wooden bridge. After crossing the bridge walk STRAIGHT AHEAD before the path winds RIGHT and up the hill via a rock slab.
9.00 km – As you cross the ridges of old moraine left behind by the Gran Paradiso glacier, finally the Rifugio Chabod comes into view ahead to your right. Continue to follow the path.
9.10 km – Cross the river via the small boulder bridge and continue to walk STRAIGHT AHEAD before the path BEARS RIGHT up towards the Rifugio.
9.60 km – Beyond a wooden bridge over a stream, arrive at a path intersection marked by 2 yellow National Park markers mounted on a rock. We recommend that you visit the Rifugio Chabod (they have a bar/restaurant serving drinks and simple food, the views are fabulous) TURN RIGHT and follow the marked path for a further 10 minutes up the mountain side. If you are ready to descend to the valley, TURN LEFT and follow the signs for path Praviuex Desot on Path no. 5 (marked 1 hr 45mins).
10.10 km – Well done, you have reached the Rifugio Chabod!. Enjoy the incredible views of Gran Paradiso and the surrounding peaks. To continue the walk, return via the path you ascended to the intersection and then go STRAIGHT ON to follow path no.5 to Pravieux Desot and the valley floor. The path descends into a grassy bowl via a switchback path.
12.50 km – The path descends into the tree line at around 2355m, continuing to zig-zag down into the valley. There are few markers as the path is very well-defined. Note that there are many side paths that cut some of the corners, take these if you wish but the large switch-backs will be kinder to your knees!
13.40 km – The path skirts to the right of a farm at 2490m called Lavassey then in front of the farm. Water trough here, path winds down to zigzags.
13.90 km – Stop at the viewpoint 2143m – great views down the valley to Pont. Path continues very obviously to descend.
15.00 km – At the bottom of the hill, BEAR RIGHT towards the car park and the bridge to allow you to reach the road.
15.30 km – Exit the car park and TURN LEFT onto the road to walk back to Pont. Take great care to avoid the traffic. If you stick to the right side of the road, there is a verge for you to walk on for most of the way back.
17.80 km – Arrive in the car park and the Gran Paradiso Information Centre where you started the walk. Enjoy a well-deserved refreshment in the bar of the Hotel Gran Paradiso just opposite.
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