Climb Gran Paradiso in Alpi Trail Mode, 1 day

Climbing Gran Paradiso (4061) is a great mountaineering experience. Today I invite you to join me and reach the summit of this stuning peak in an alpi trail mode, descending to the valley in just one day. We will combine the effort of trail running along with basic mountaineering skills.

Gran Paradiso is located in the beautiful Aosta Valley, in Italy. We will start from Pont, in Valsavarenche. This alpi trail climb is a great challenge, with more than 2000 meters of vertical gain, reserved only for the extremely fit. We will enjoy some trail sections and as we ascend we will put our mountaineering skills in use.

This famous mountain is usually climbed in 2 days, but the alpi trail fast mode allows us to reach the summit and descend on the same day. This climb is also a great preparation for further ambitious goals in 1 day, like climbing Mont Blanc.

Gran Paradiso is considered one of the easiest 4000-meter peaks to climb in the Alps, with no particular technical difficulties. However, to join this program you need to have a regular endurance training and basic mountaineering skills, including experience on the use of crampons and ice ax.

We will ascend with trail running shoes and then we will change them by mountaineering boots. During the ascent we will cover the following sections:

Section 1. Pont Parking (1960m) – Refuge Victor Emmanuel II (2730m).  We will follow a comfortable trail through larch and pastures and enjoy a food break at the Hut. Elevation gain: 770m.

Section 2. Refuge Victor Emmanuel II (2730m) – Montcorve Glacier (3050m). This is a rocky trail. We will change our equipment. Cumulative elevation gain: 1090 m.

Section 3. Montcorvé Glacier – Foot of the Gran Paradiso summit ridge (4000m). Mountaineering: glacier itinerary on a gentle slope. Cumulative elevation gain: 2040 m.

Section 4. Foot of Gran Paradiso summit ridge (4000m) – Gran Paradiso summit (4061m). Mountaineering: mixed and aerial route. Cumulative elevation gain: 2100 m.

The Gran Paradiso alpi trail ascent will take us from 4 to 6 hours of effort and the descent another 3 or 4 hours.

If you want to be part of this great program, just send me a request. Join me and let’s reach the summit of this famous mountain in the heart of the Italian Alps. You could also join me on the Aiguille du Tour (3540m) alpi trail ascent, from Chamonix.