Gran Paradiso walking & trekking Cicerone | 9781852849238

This guidebook presents 28 day walks in the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Italian Alps south of Mont Blanc, and the 12-day Alta Via 2 trek. The Alta Via covers over 148km of rugged mountains and valleys between Chardonnay and Courmayeur. The graded walks vary from 2 to 33km and range from easy paths to routes for the experienced alpine walker. Seasons: The summer months - late June to late September - are the time to go. That's when the mountain huts are open, providing meals and accommodation for trekkers. However, outside that period the valley villages can be used as a comfortable base for day routes. Centres: Cogne, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Pont Valsavarenche, Valgrisenche, La Thuile, Chardonney, Ceresole Reale, Ronco CanaveseDifficulty DifficultyThe walks are all graded for difficulty - ranging from straightforward paths to high and exposed routes for experienced alpine walkers. No special equipment is needed. Must See: Alta Via 2 trek through the Gran Paradiso National Park, parallel to the Aosta valley. Glittering glacial lakes, old royal hunting trails, ascent of Becca della Traversiere, Punta Basei, belvederes onto Mont Blanc, the trad southern valleys and Ceresole Reale.