Walking Cogne – Italy

Itinerary – Walking Cogne

DAY 1: ARRIVAL.
Pick up at Geneva airport, at the arrival time of the group flight, welcome by a France Outdoors guide and transfer to Cogne.
Cogne lies at the confluence of the rivers Valnontey and Grand’Eyvia some 1534 meters above sea level. It is, therefore, an ideal point to base yourself for discovering the Gran Paradiso National Park. The wide green valley meadow of Sant’Orso is a real sun trap. It is also unusual to find such an open space at this altitude.
Transfer to your 3 star hotel “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.
This trip is described with moderate level walks but a challenging version is possible.
Dinner included.

DAY 2: Discover the area.
For this first day, you will enjoy a loop walk on a south face, starting from the hotel that overlooks at Cogne, the valley and Gran Paradiso National Park.
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.
Walk: Gimillan and Molère – 356 m ascent – 15 km.
(challenging version: Gimillan & Arpisson-756 m ascent–17 km )
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

DAY 3: Urtier valley.
Today’s you will discover the beautiful Urtier valley Est from Cogne.
This will be the day to see waterfalls and lakes and in particular the lake Loie. You will also see some fine views over Mount Blanc.
Walk: Urtier valley walk 420 m ascent – 14 km
(challenging version: Loie Lake walk 1040 m ascent – 17 km)
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

DAY 4: Gimillan
After a short transfer, this walk will bring us to a valley from where the view of the whole Gran Paradiso is magnificent.
Walk: Crouzet village – 780 m ascent – 14 km
(challenging version: Lusser Lake – 900 m ascent – 12 km)
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

DAY 5: FREE DAY in Cogne.
Spend the day in Cogne at your own pace, visit the shops around, the house Gerard Dayne to discover the local architecture, the Gran Paradiso National Park house (Foundation Paradis) in Cogne, the Iron mine museum or the fabulous Gran Paradiso National Park botanic garden . You can also sample some of the local food and in particular the local gelato!
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

On option: Gran Paradiso Ascent day1.
Meeting with your mountain guide at the hotel in the morning, you will join the Vittorio Emmanuel hut at a gentle pace to keep your strength for Day 2. Night in the hut.

DAY 6: Valsavarenche valley.
Today we will take the bus to Valsavarenche the heart of the national park and a great place to observe the majestic glaciers. This walk will lead us to the main starting point of the Gran Paradiso ascent, Vittorio Emanuele hut (2734m) but it is also a very nice hike in itself. From here, it is possible to complete a loop walk to Chabot hut.
Walk: Views of Gran Paradiso 776 m ascent – 12 km
(challenging version: Vittorio Emmanuel hut 1065 m ascent – 16 km)
Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch not included.

On option: Gran Paradiso Ascent day2.
Today, you will climb the Gran Paradiso (4061m), through glaciers and rocky parts in one of the most splendid part of the Italian Alps. Never technical, this is a great introduction to 4000m peaks
Back to the hotel for the evening.

DAY 7: Valnontey valley / Sella hut
Today you will walk from the hotel and explore the north face of the valley pass near the botanic garden of Valnontey and climb to Sella hut. If you are lucky, plenty of wildlife to observe there.
Two level of walks proposed.
Walk: Valnontey valley 220 m ascent – 14 km
(challenging version: Sella hut- 1110 m ascent- 15km)
Breakfast and dinner included in a local restaurant.
Lunch not included.

DAY 8: FAREWELL!
Spend the morning at your own pace in Cogne before a transfer to Geneva airport to match the group flight .
Breakfast included. Lunch not included.