The Gran Paradiso is the third highest peak entirely situated within Italian territory, following the Corno Nero (4,321 m) and the Piramide Vincent (4,215 m), both of which are part of the Monte Rosa Massif, located between the municipalities of Alagna Valsesia and Gressoney-La-Trinité.
The summit of Gran Paradiso is entirely within the Aosta Valley, at the border between the municipalities of Cogne and Valsavarenche, making it the highest peak in the only mountain massif in Italy that rises above 4,000 meters entirely within Italian territory. From the summit, a ridge descends to the south, reaching the Roc (4,026 m) shortly after, an elevation included in the secondary list of 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps.
Several glaciers flow down from the slopes of the mountain: on the western side towards Valsavarenche, you’ll find the Gran Paradiso Glacier and the Laveciau Glacier, while on the eastern side towards the Val di Cogne, there’s the Tribolazione Glacier.
From the car parking area to Chabod refuge
The hike that starts from the parking lot in Valsavarenche and leads to the Chabod Refuge is already an excursion worth the journey. The trail, straightforward in terms of technical difficulty, is beautifully nestled in nature. It begins with an initial stretch through the forest, eventually opening up to provide a unique view of the valley. Finally, reaching the Chabod Refuge offers the most breathtaking sight: the base of the Gran Paradiso glacier.
From Chabod refuge to Gran Paradiso
As always, when embarking on a glacier summit, the alarm clock goes off before dawn. Our shared goal with the mountain guide accompanying us on this excursion was to return to the refuge in time for lunch, ensuring we put our feet under the table before the heat significantly affected the trail’s safety.
Unfortunately, despite staying on track with the agreed timeline, an exceptionally hot summer led the guide, in consultation with the group, to decide against returning by crossing the glacier again. Instead, we extended our route through rocky terrain. Even at 6:00 in the morning, the crevasses in the snow were already menacing, and we preferred to avoid re-crossing them on the return journey just a few hours later. This added an extra dose of fatigue, but it did not diminish the enthusiasm and joy that came from conquering the summit.
From Chabod refuge to car parking area
The descent trail from Chabod Refuge to the car parking area is comfortable and allows for a peaceful return to the base.
Some pics
