Snowshoeing Italy – Gran Paradiso

Itinerary – Italy Alps Snowshoeing Holiday

Day 1 : ARRIVAL.
Pick up at Milan or Geneva airport, , welcome by your guide for the week and transfer to Cogne (2h30 minutes).
Cogne lies at the confluence of the rivers Valnontey and Urtier some 1534 meters above sea level. It is, therefore, an ideal point to base yourself for discovering the Gran Paradiso National Park.
With the huge choice of snowshoeing routes and mountain sides, around Cogne and its multiple valleys we will easily find the best snow conditions.
Transfer to your family run 3 star “Hotel du Grand Paradis” in Cogne. This hotel offers nice rooms, a bar and a jacuzzi and is ideally located right in the centre of Cogne.
Dinner included.
Day 2 : Gimillian Balcony walk.
For this first day , you will enjoy a loop walk on a south face, starting from the hotel that overlooks Cogne, the valley and Gran Paradiso National Park and the glaciers.
In 1856, the king Vittorio Emanuele III created a conservation area to protect the ibex that was about to be extinct. Then in 1922, the area was extended and the first Italian National park was officially created.
On today’s walk, you will explore the very nice village of Gimillan (1814 m) and the valley of Tarabouc up to 2050 m.
Walk: 455 m ascent – 12 km
Breakfast and diner included. Lunch not included.
Day 3: Testa Liliaz  snowshoe walk (2367 m) .
Today’s you will discover the beautiful Urtier valley east of Cogne.
After a 10 minutes transfer, we will start the walk from the water fall of Liliaz, transformed in the winter into a playground for ice climbers. Then a nice walk initially through the forest will bring us to open valley of Bardoney. The final ascent to the Testa Liliaz is fantastic moment of snowshoeing with the final climb optional.
Walk: 750 m ascent – 14 km
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included.
Day 4 : Snowshoe walk to Sella Vittorio hut (2560 m)
After a short transfer to Valnontey, on the south side of Cogne at the foot of Gran Paradiso, we will start our steady climb to the Sella Hut. Fantastic views and the possibility to get a really nice downhill session are on the menu today.
Walk: 900 m ascent – 12 km
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included.
Day 5 : FREE DAY in Cogne.
Spend the day in Cogne at your own pace, visit the shops around, the Gerard Dayne house to discover the local architecture, the Gran Paradiso National Park house (Foundation Paradis), the Iron mine museum or the fabulous Gran Paradiso National. You can also try cross country skiing or downhill skiing!
Breakfast included. Lunch and dinner not included.
Day 6 : Tsaplana Da Gimillian (2659 m)
Today we will go back to Gimilian for a south face climb, steady all the way up to the Tsaplana summit. A 360 degree view awaits us at the top from where the Gran Paradiso seems so near!
Walk: Views of Gran Paradiso 776 m ascent – 12 km
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.
Day 7 : Sogno Hut Liliaz snowshoe walk (2526 m)
Today’s walk will bring us to a really remote part of the area, the valley of Urtier, famous for ski tourers, that we will follow all the way up to the Sogno hut. A real sense of wilderness on this walk!
Walk: 909 m ascent – 16 km
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.
Day 8 : FAREWELL!
Spend the morning at your own pace in Cogne before a transfer to Milan or Geneva airport.
Breakfast included. Lunch not included.