Hut-to-Hut Trekking in Italy's Gran Paradiso

Touch down at Milan Malpensa Airport and meet your group for the transfer to Valgrisenche, a secluded valley on the edge of Gran Paradiso National Park and the perfect launchpad for your trek. You'll settle in at Hotel Perret, a cozy, family-run alpine lodge tucked between towering peaks and the calm waters of Lake Beauregard. After checking in, join your group for a welcome meeting where your guide will run through the plan for the days ahead and help with any last-minute gear questions. Over the next few days, you’ll hike through three dramatic valleys, cross high mountain passes over 10,000ft, and follow trails past glacial lakes, waterfalls, and alpine meadows. This is a remote and rugged corner of the Alps, ideal for those who like their trekking wild.

Lace up your boots, it’s time to hit the trail. Heading straight out from the hotel, the path climbs steadily through peaceful larch forest, following a mix of narrow footpaths and old gravel tracks. You’ll soon reach the tiny hamlet of Prariond, home to a stone chapel overlooking the valley, before the trail dips briefly and then climbs again toward the mountains. Pass the crumbling remains of a former military fort, a quiet nod to the region’s layered history, before continuing to the open meadows of the Bouc alpine pasture, where the valley opens up to reveal rugged peaks and sweeping ridgelines. A final push brings you to Rifugio Épée, a cozy mountain hut with far-reaching views and a warm welcome. If you’re still feeling fresh, you can head further into the wild Vallone above, where the jagged monolith of Il Sigaro (the Cigar) juts sharply from the valley floor. Then it’s back to the refuge for dinner and your first night in the high Alps.

After a mountain breakfast, you’ll leave the refuge behind and follow a gently rising track across a wide, rocky plateau, with each step opening up fresh views of the peaks opposite. The trail undulates over a series of short climbs and dips before steepening towards the ridgeline of Mont Forciaz. From here, the landscape feels more remote as you cross glacial moraines, navigating rugged rock and lingering snowfields en route to Bivacco Ravelli, a solitary shelter once used by climbers tackling the north face of the Grande Rousse. Surrounded by raw alpine terrain, it’s a proper high-mountain moment. After taking in the views, you’ll double back briefly before cutting across the valley and descending to Rifugio Bezzi, where a warm meal and a cozy spot for the night await, with the peaks lit by the glow of the setting sun.

Today you’ll join the legendary Haute Route des Glaciers, a high-altitude trail packed with glacier views from the first step to the last. Things start gently enough with a steady traverse, but the climb soon kicks in, winding through flower-filled alpine meadows before shifting into a stark, rocky world of moraine and scree. You’ll crest a ridge at around 9,186ft, with the Gliairetta Glacier spilling below and the hulking Grand Sassière dominating the skyline. From here, it’s a rugged up and down route along ridgelines and viewpoints, building to a final push to the Col Bassac Deré at 10,108ft, the highest point of the day. At the top, soak in sweeping views over Gran Paradiso and into distant valleys. Then descend into the wild Val di Rhêmes, passing a string of alpine lakes including the striking turquoise waters of Lago di Goletta. As the trail levels out, you’ll reach the valley floor and the welcoming Rifugio Benevolo, your base for the night with good food and even better company.

Today's route takes you deep into Gran Paradiso National Park, one of the wildest corners of the Alps. This is high-mountain trekking at its best, with the chance to spot ibex on the rocks, marmots in the meadows, and golden eagles or even bearded vultures soaring overhead. The trail starts gently through alpine pastures before climbing steadily across rocky moraine. As you gain height, the dramatic limestone wall of Granta Parei fills the skyline, while the Lavassey Glacier and its lake shimmer below. A final push brings you to Col Basei at 10,420ft, the highest point of the trek. From here, the view opens across jagged peaks and sprawling glaciers, a panorama that makes the effort worthwhile. The descent winds past a string of small alpine lakes before easing out onto the vast Nivolet Plateau, a spectacular high plain surrounded by mountains. A short final stretch leads to Rifugio Savoia, one of the oldest huts in the park, with a cozy dining room and views straight out to the surrounding peaks, the perfect place to rest and refuel before the final leg.

Today's long stage begins gently across alpine meadows, where the trail winds past clear mountain lakes reflecting the morning light. It's a gentle warm-up with time to soak in the wide-open scenery of the high plateau. The path then turns uphill and the landscape shifts - grassy slopes give way to broken rock and scree as you climb steadily towards Col Leynir at 10,118ft. The higher you go, the wilder it feels, until you reach the pass and take in sweeping views of the Gran Paradiso massif in all its rugged glory. On a clear day, you can even spot the glaciers and towering peaks of the Vanoise Alps across the border in France. From the col, a long and varied descent begins, leading through stark, rocky terrain before softening into wildflower meadows and finally into shady larch forest. It's a day of contrasts, with every turn revealing something new. By late afternoon, you'll arrive in the quiet hamlet of Chanevey, nestled in the Val di Rhêmes. Settle into a cozy, family-run hotel, enjoy a hot shower and mark your penultimate night in the mountains.

Your final push begins with a steep climb out of Chanevey, joining a section of the legendary Tor des Géants trail, one of the toughest ultra-distance routes in the Alps. It’s a challenging ascent to Col Fenêtre at 9,318ft, but each step brings broader views of the peaks around you, a proper finale to the week. From the pass, the descent is just as striking, dropping beneath the cliffs of Rabuigne and Grande Rousse. As you lose elevation, the landscape softens and the turquoise sweep of Lake Beauregard comes into view, marking your return to familiar ground. By late afternoon, you’ll arrive back in Valgrisenche, completing your circular journey through Gran Paradiso. Back at Hotel Perret, tuck into a farewell dinner and raise a glass to a week well spent in the wilds.

After a relaxed breakfast at Hotel Perret, you’ll say goodbye to the Alps and hop in the group transfer back to Milan Malpensa Airport. Legs might be tired, but the week’s mountain moments will stay with you long after the journey ends.