1860
4.061 mt.
J.J. Cowell, W. Dundas, M. Payot, J. Tairraz
GRAN PARADISO
Normal route (F+)
Südtirolalpin
IFMGA certified mountain and ski guides
South Tyrolean Mountain and Ski Guides Association
Email suedtirolalpin@gmail.com
Price from:
€1,500
for 1 person · lower price per person from 2 participants
Duration:
2 days
Gran Paradiso – Normal route
A great four-thousander in the Gran Paradiso National Park – ideal if you want to get your first taste of 4,000-metre air while climbing a true classic
4,061 m · Difficulty F+ (alpine tour) · 2 days · Aosta Valley
It is Italy's only four-thousander that lies entirely within its own national territory, and the pride of the Gran Paradiso National Park of the same name, from which almost the entire ibex population – once nearly wiped out across the rest of the Alps – was reintroduced.
The Gran Paradiso is also one of the technically easiest four-thousanders in the Alps and an ideal introduction to the world of the highest Alpine summits. The difficulties are all found directly below the summit, where a small rock outcrop rises out of the ice. Here, after the ascent over the glacier, a short but very beautiful and enjoyable bit of climbing follows. The cherry on top.
All in all, a scenically wonderful and very rewarding tour to the highest summit lying entirely in Italy. With the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II as a base and the long summit day, the tour has just the right mix of hut experience, glacier ascent and a summit that makes an ideal objective as a first four-thousander.
THE TOUR
The Gran Paradiso via the normal route is a tour that offers a surprising amount without becoming unnecessarily complicated. You find yourself in an incredibly beautiful landscape in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park and can reach the white Madonna without any major technical difficulties.
Only directly below the summit is there a short climbing section to tackle. That is exactly what makes the tour so well-rounded: first the long ascent over glacier and boulder terrain, then a small, beautiful finale on rock at the very end. The Gran Paradiso via the normal route is therefore perfect for getting your first taste of the air above four thousand metres.
Our base is the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II, which we reach from Pont. Historically and scenically, the mountain is something special anyway: Italy's only four-thousander that lies entirely within its own national territory, and a summit with true classic appeal.
INFO
Services
Included in the price:
- All organisation and guiding by an IFMGA certified mountain and ski guide
- All necessary reservations are made in advance
Additional costs for participants:
- 1 night with half board at the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II (approx. €60)
- Transfer to and from the meeting point
- Expenses (accommodation) for the mountain guide
- Individual tips
* Rental equipment (€10 per item)
Facts
Location:
Gran Paradiso National Park
Best time of year:
Mid-June - end of September
Duration:
2 days
Meeting point:
Pont car park at the head of the Valsavarenche valley in the Aosta Valley
Requirements
Safety-relevant
- Sure-footedness
Key to enjoyment
- Fitness for 1,300 metres of ascent (including at high altitude)
- Prior acclimatisation is an advantage
PRICE
Participants:
max. 4 people
Price from
€1,500
for 1 person · lower price per person from 2 participants
PROGRAMME
Day 1: Hut approach
We meet at the large car park in Pont at the head of the Valsavarenche valley. Of course, when booking we can also arrange a different meeting point and make the long drive to the Aosta Valley together. After a short equipment check, we begin the ascent of about 2.5 hours to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II. At the hut there is plenty of time to clear up any technical questions, questions about equipment or about the tour planned for the next day in general.
Walking time: 2.5 h | ↑ 750 m
⌂ Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II (2,732 m)
Day 2: Gran Paradiso summit day
After a hearty breakfast the next day, we first follow a well-trodden path to the start of the glacier-polished rock slabs and climb up these to the glacier. Here we rope up and, surrounded by the beautiful Gran Paradiso National Park, cross the ice past the crevasses to the summit of the only four-thousander that lies entirely on Italian soil. Shortly before the summit, a short but not overly difficult climbing section awaits us. From the summit there is a magnificent view of Mont Blanc and many other four-thousanders of the Western Alps. Perhaps plans for future summits are already being quietly hatched. We return along the ascent route to the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II and on to Pont.
Total time: 9.5 h | ↑ 1,350 m | ↓ 2,100 m | Difficulty: F+ (alpine tour)
The story of the first ascent
The first ascent of the Gran Paradiso was made on 4 September 1860 by J.J. Cowell and W. Dundas, accompanied by the two guides M. Payot and J. Tairraz. Even back then, they chose the route that is still the usual and easiest option today, ascending via the Gran Paradiso glacier, which has relatively few crevasses. In 1856, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuele II recognised the beauty of this area and declared it a royal hunting reserve. In 1922, King Vittorio Emanuele III donated the land to the Italian state to protect the ibex, and the Gran Paradiso National Park became one of Italy's first national parks.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Is the Gran Paradiso a good first four-thousander?
Yes, the Gran Paradiso is an excellent introduction to the world of four-thousanders. Overall, the tour is technically fairly easy, but it requires the stamina for a long summit day and confident walking in high-alpine terrain. The short climbing section just below the summit makes it exciting rather than complicated.
Where do we stay overnight on the tour?
We stay at the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele II. The hut is the classic base for the normal route up the Gran Paradiso and ideally located, so that on the second day we can set off for the summit early and in a relaxed way.
What equipment do I need to bring?
You will receive the detailed packing list with your confirmation email. Above all, you need suitable mountaineering boots and clothing for a high-alpine tour. Technical equipment can be rented from the South Tyrolean mountain guides for a small wear-and-tear fee.
Looking for a different tour? Send us your request
MOUNTAIN GUIDE ALPINE CLASSICS
# GRAN PARADISO # NORMAL ROUTE # MOUNTAIN GUIDE