Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Milan | Transfer to Gressoney-la-Trinité

A group shuttle at 12pm (noon) will take you and your group from Milan’s Malpensa International Airport to our hotel in the high valley resort of Gressoney-la-Trinité.  We’ll meet as a group at the hotel in the afternoon for a short afternoon walk along the Torrent des Lys followed by an orientation and dinner at the hotel. (D)

Day 2 – Val Gressoney

This morning we'll take the cable car up from Gressoney-la-Trinité for an invigorating hike to nearby Lake Gabiet. This is an ideal introduction to the landscapes we'll see along the tour and a good warm up for the days ahead. We’ll picnic at a refuge along the way. In the afternoon we discover the special history of the Val des Lys which has a proud tradition since it was colonized by Germanic-speaking Walser people in the 13th century. (BLD)

Ascent: 1150 feet |  Descent: 1125 feet |  Distance: 6.5 miles (may vary)

Day 3 – Hike from Stafal into Champoluc

We'll take a short transfer in the morning up the valley to Staffal where we'll enjoy views of the Monte Rosa, the second highest peak in the Alps, while hiking up to Rothorn Pass (2689m / 8822ft). The valley behind the pass provides us some great spots for a picnic lunch. We'll discover some traditional high villages while reaching Champoluc in the adjoining Val d'Ayas. (BLD)

Ascent: 2800 feet |  Descent: 3625 feet |  Distance: 7.8 miles (may vary)

Day 4 – Hike from Champoluc (St Jacques) to Breuil-Cervinia

Today is one of the longest hikes of the tour but with no shortage of spectacular scenery. A short shuttle speeds our ascent to Saint Jacques des Allemands, where we'll begin our ascent through an untouched and preserved valley to access the magnificent Gran Lago and its placid blue water. Continuing, we soon reach the highest pass of the tour (2982m / 9783 ft) and start the descent to Breuil-Cervinia located at the base of the Matterhorn. (BLD)

Ascent: 3950 feet |  Descent: 3225 feet |  Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 5 – Breuil-Cervinia | Hike in the Matterhorn Region

After a lovely night in our hotel in the heart of Breuil-Cervinia, we'll enjoy the day in this world-class mountain resort—as scenic as it is charming. You’ll be tempted to spend time in the hotel’s spa, though you won’t want to miss some of the hiking options available in the surrounding hills. One favorite is a hike to the Orriondé refuge at the base of the Matterhorn to enjoy its alpine setting and be overwhelmed by the magnitude of this mountain (4478 m / 14692 ft) (BLD)

Ascent: 3950 feet |  Descent: 3225 feet |  Distance: 10 miles (may vary)

Day 6 – Lac Blu | Cogne and Gran Paradiso National Park | Lillaz Waterfalls

We'll leave the Matterhorn region to discover another jewel of the Alps, the Grand Paradiso range, and the wild majesty of Gran Paradiso National Park. As we descend the valley in the morning, we'll have a quick stop at Lac Bleu to enjoy the bucolic and relaxing atmosphere of the area. Then we continue to Cogne, a lovely town located at the bottom of many valleys inside the Grand Paradiso mountains. After lunch in town, we'll have a pleasant walk along the river to access the Cascades de Lillaz. (BLD)

Ascent: 450 feet |  Descent: 450 feet |  Distance: 4.2 miles (may vary)

Day 7 – Hike in Gran Paradiso National Park| Le Pont | Gran Collet Pass

In the morning we'll take a shuttle to Le Pont in the adjoining valley, positioning us for some amazing views on the Gran Paradiso summit. We'll hike a steeply ascending access to the Grand Collet pass (2832m / 9291 ft) and enjoy the reward from up there with great panoramic views of the mountain. The Dora del Nivolet valley on the other side is a beautiful glacial formation where we'll follow a river through grassy meadows. If we're lucky we'll be able to see some wildlife such as chamois or alpine ibex, Grand Paradiso reserve is one of the oldest preserved areas in Europe, where ibex were saved from extinction thanks to Victor Emmanuel II in the 19th century. (BLD)

Ascent: 3250 feet |  Descent: 3150 feet |  Distance: 7.9 miles (may vary)

Day 8 – Hike in Valnontey | Gran Paradiso National Park

Today’s route is the perfect culmination to our tour with some of the most scenic hiking. Valnontey, within walking distance of Cogne is well known for its beautiful landscapes, streams, forests, rock formations and surrounding mountains. From the hotel we'll hike up the valley to discover the natural beauty within the heart of Gran Paradiso range. We'll find a great spot to eat our lunch before going back down and enjoying our last night at the hotel. (BLD)

Ascent: 3425 feet |  Descent: 3425 feet |  Distance: 12.5 miles (may vary)

Day 9 – Aymaville Castle | Return to Milan Malpensa Airport

After a leisurely breakfast and morning in Cogne we begin our return to Milan, stopping along the way to take in some of the history and traditions that have shaped this region for centuries. We’ll visit a 13th century castle filled with medieval and baroque history, followed by a journey into the gastronomic traditions of Aosta with vineyard walk and wine tasting. We’ll return to our hotel adjacent to Milan Malpensa International Airport for a concluding dinner together. (BLD)

Ascent: 200 feet |  Descent: 200 feet |  Distance: 3 miles (may vary)

Day 10 – Breakfast | Depart Milan

After breakfast, depart Milan for return flights or onward travel. (B)

Activity Level

Alpenwild trips are designed for people who are energetic, active, and filled with a spirit of adventure. We rate this trip as strenuous. You should be capable of walking 4 to 6 hours per day on well-groomed and graded trails—often rocky—at an elevation up to 9,000 feet above sea level.

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