Self-guided · Italy
Ibex country,
walked from a warm
bed each night.
Italy's oldest national park, once the private hunting ground of a king protecting his ibex — glacial valleys, high passes and a fair chance of chamois, marmots and bearded vultures, with a comfortable hotel waiting at the end of each day.
- Days
- 6
- Distance
- 74 km
- Ascent
- 4,200 m
- Grade
- Easy to moderate
Trip Essentials
The walk
Six days in the park
that saved the ibex.
Founded in 1922, Gran Paradiso was the first national park in Italy and one of the first in Europe — created from King Victor Emmanuel II's old royal hunting reserve, set up specifically to save the Alpine ibex from extinction. It worked: the park is now one of the most reliable places in the Alps to see ibex at close range, alongside chamois, marmots, foxes and, overhead, bearded vultures reintroduced to the range.
This is a gentler week than most Alpine tours — a hotel-based circuit through three valleys radiating off the Gran Paradiso massif, with a shorter, easier option and a longer, higher variant offered on most days. You choose each morning depending on how the legs feel and what the weather's doing. Nights are spent in three-star hotels in the valley towns, on half-board, with proper beds and a hot dinner rather than a dormitory bunk.
For anyone who wants more, there's an optional extension: a night at the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge below the glacier, with a guided ascent of Gran Paradiso itself (4,061 m) — one of the more approachable 4,000ers in the Alps, but still a full glacier day with a rope and crampons.
The route, day by day.
A fixed self-guided package: every stage, every night's accommodation and every luggage transfer is arranged before you set off.
- 01
Beauregard dam → Lago di San Grato
6 h · +/−800 m · 14 km (harder variant: 8 h · +/−1200 m · 18 km)The trip begins at Valgrisenche. From the Beauregard dam the path climbs steadily through alpine pasture, the view opening out onto the surrounding peaks, to the glacial Lago di San Grato at the foot of the Ruitor's icecap (3,486 m). Return down the valley past the Rio del Lago's waterfalls. A wilder variant follows the exposed Arp Vielle ridge. Two nights at the same hotel.
- 02
Épée refuge → Col Fenêtre
4 h · +/−600 m · 8 km (harder variant: 6.5 h · +/−1050 m · 14 km)Across the dam and up through larch forest to open pasture and the family-run Épée refuge, a good stopover, then on to the Vallon del Bouc. Those wanting more continue to the airy Col Fenêtre; everyone else can rest by the river before the descent back past the Lago di Beauregard to the hotel.
- 03
Rhêmes valley → Rifugio Benevolo → Lago di Sant'Elena
5 h · +/−600 m · 12 km (harder variant: 7.5 h · +/−1000 m · 19 km)A short transfer into the Rhêmes valley, then a climb through the Gran Vaudala to the Basey pasture and across to the Rifugio Benevolo, descending beside the Dora di Rhêmes stream. The harder option loops around the Truc de Sant'Elena to a turquoise lake fed straight from the glacier, in proper high-alpine country below the Tsanteleina peaks. Two nights at a hotel in Bruil.
- 04
Entrelor valley → Entrelor pass
5.5 h · +/−840 m · 7 km (harder variant: 6.5 h · +/−1280 m · 12 km)Through forest to a small alpine hamlet, then the Gollien pass rounds the Tête de l'Entrelor for a wide view over the whole Val di Rhêmes, descending via the Sort valley. The sportier option pushes on to the Col de l'Entrelor (3,007 m) — ibex territory, with the Gran Paradiso summit in view. Back to the same hotel for the night.
- 05
Valsavarenche → pastures of Meyes
6 h · +/−720 m · 11 km (harder variant: 6.5 h · +920 m/−1150 m · 14 km)A morning transfer to Valsavarenche. From Pont, up the hanging Nivollet valley with its cascading river and views of the Gran Paradiso, across the panoramic pastures of Meyes and back down. The longer day continues from Meyes to the Djouan lake over the Col du Manteau (2,795 m), descending direct to the hamlet of Eaux Rousses. Night in a small hotel in the valley.
- 06
Grand Collet → Nivolet plain → Pont
5.5 h · +/−850 m · 8 kmA short valley bus back to Pont, then a steady climb over the wild Grand Collet pass (2,832 m) — chamois and ibex are often about in the morning — down onto the wide Nivolet plain and along the river back to Pont. Trip ends in the afternoon.
Where you'll stay
A good bed at the end of every day.
Three-star hotels in the valley towns of Valgrisenche, Bruil and Valsavarenche — proper beds, en-suite bathrooms and a hot half-board dinner every night. This is not a refuge-based trip, though those wanting a taste of high-mountain life can add an optional night at the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge as part of the Gran Paradiso ascent extension.
Getting there
Nearest airports: Turin or Geneva, both around two to two and a half hours by transfer. Trains run to Aosta via Turin, with local buses on to the valley towns; drivers can reach the start via the Mont Blanc tunnel or the Col du Petit St Bernard. We can help arrange transfers at both ends.
What's included?
A fixed self-guided package — accommodation, luggage transfer and route notes all taken care of before you arrive.
Five nights on a half-board basis, from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6
A paper route book and IGC map for the group
Booking fees and tourist taxes
All planning, booking and support before and during the walk
Not included
- Picnic lunches (can be ordered the day before at each hotel)
- Transfers between valleys — by personal car or local bus unless a transfer option is added
- Personal expenses, drinks, cancellation insurance
- Guiding — this is a self-guided tour, you are responsible for your own safety
- The optional Gran Paradiso ascent extension (guide, refuge night and equipment hire, priced separately)
Book your Gran Paradiso — 6 days adventure.
- Free cancellation to 60 days
- Confirmation within 24 hrs
- ABTOT financially protected
We'll start planning your trip right away. Not happy with anything? We'll adjust it or refund you — no questions asked.
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under The Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018 for Big Trail Adventures (member 5690). Protection is provided for non-flight packages. Full details in our booking conditions.
Things walkers ask us.
Is it really self-guided? What if something goes wrong?
Yes — you walk without a guide, using a paper route book and a 1:25,000 map. You'll have a contact number for the whole trip and support in case of a weather change, injury or booking issue. Big Trail Adventures is your first point of contact from the moment you enquire.
How fit do I need to be?
Level 2 out of 4 for the easier daily option, up towards level 3 if you take the harder variants. Expect three to six hours of walking most days, with an optional longer, higher route each day for those who want it. Regular walking or cardio beforehand helps, especially if you're tempted by the passes.
Can I choose the easier or harder route each day?
Yes, that's the whole shape of this trip. Every day has a shorter, gentler option and a longer variant up to a pass, glacier or viewpoint. You decide each morning based on the weather and how you're feeling — there's no need to commit in advance.
Can I add the ascent of Gran Paradiso?
Yes, as an optional extension with a night at the Vittorio Emanuele II refuge and a qualified mountain guide for the summit day. It's a glacier ascent with crampons and a rope, technically straightforward but a long day, and priced separately per person depending on group size. Tell us on the enquiry form if you're interested.
Do you handle payments and refunds?
Yes. You book with Big Trail Adventures, pay us, and we handle the rest. Cancellation terms are set out in our booking conditions.