Walking and Trekking in the Gran Paradiso: Alta Via 2 trek and 28 day walks

A guidebook to the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Valle d'Aosta, in north-western Italy, describing the 12-stage 148km Alta Via 2 trek, and 28 day walks ranging from 2 to 33km. The first part of this guidebook describes the Alta Via 2, a strenuous trek in 12 day stages from Chardonnay to Courmayeur, passing beneath the foot of Mont Blanc, which is best suited to experienced Alpine hikers. The successive chapters 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 is also included, brilliant routes that convey walkers to wild exhilarating heights and act as links between the valleys. Suggestions are given for combining these into a further series of long-distance routes. The guidebook provides plenty of practical information on getting to and around the region, as well as advice on accommodation, language, equipment, planning and how to make the most out of any adventure in one of Italy's most spectacular national parks. A wealth of detail of information on wildlife, history, geology and flowers is also included.

Table of Contents:
Map key Preface Overview map Introduction The Gran Paradiso National Park Valleys and bases Information Access When to go How to use this book Path marking Dos and don'ts Emergencies Mountaineering and guides Maps Accommodation What to take Wildlife Vegetation Local traditions Further suggestions Alta Via 2 Stage 1 Chardonney to Rifugio Dondena Stage 2 Rifugio Dondena to Rifugio P&##xe9;radz&##xe0; Stage 3 Rifugio P&##xe9;radz&##xe0; to Cogne Stage 4 Cogne to Rifugio Vittorio Sella Stage 5 Rifugio Vittorio Sella to Eaux Rousses Stage 6 Eaux Rousses to Rh&##xea;mes-Notre-Dame Stage 7 Rh&##xea;mes-Notre-Dame to Rifugio Chalet de l'Ep&##xe9;e Stage 8 Rifugio Chalet de l'Ep&##xe9;e to Planaval Stage 9 Planaval to La Haut Stage 10 La Haut to La Thuile Stage 11 La Thuile to Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini Stage 12 Rifugio Elisabetta Soldini to Courmayeur Walks 1 The Lillaz Waterfalls 2 Lago di Loie 3 The Money Glacier Terrace 4 The Casolari dell'Herbetet Traverse 5 Punta Pousset - the local ‘Gornergrat' 6 Beneath the Grivola 7 Passo d'Invergneux and the Mines Circuit 8 Laghi di Lussert 9 Pondel's Roman Bridge 10 The 2205m Mont Blanc 11 At the Foot of the Gran Paradiso 12 Over Gran Collet to Col del Nivolet 13 The King's Path in Valle delle Meyes 14 Vallon di Sort 15 Col Rosset 16 Punta Basei 17 Becca della Traversi&##xe8;re 18 Legendary San Grato 19 Becca dei Quattro Denti 20 The Royal Track to Ceresole Reale 21 Sentiero Glaciologico Lago Serrù 22 Beneath the Tre Levanne 23 The Villages of Valle dell'Orco 24 Beyond the Dam in Vallone di Piantonetto 25 Nivolastro to Andorina 26 Frescoes and Fridges en route to Bivacco Davito 27 Sanctuary of San Besso 28 Col Larissa Appendix A Italian-English Glossary Appendix B Route Summary Table

About the Author :
Gillian Price was born in England but has lived in Venice for many years. Gillian has steadily explored the mountain ranges of Italy and Corsica, and brought them to life for visitors in a series of outstanding guides for Cicerone. She is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) and Mountain Wilderness.