Hike beneath the legendary giants of the Italian Alps along the Giants’ Trail: Alta Via 1, from Donnas to Courmayeur through the breathtaking Aosta Valley. This inspiring 180km (112-mile) route, also known as the Tour of the Giants (Tor des Géants), traces the northern flank of the valley in the shadows of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Grand Combin.

Experience a two-week alpine adventure on quiet trails, far from the crowds, through spectacular mountain scenery, isolated villages, and welcoming refuges. Perfect for trekkers with some alpine experience seeking a rewarding challenge, this authoritative Cicerone guidebook describes the Giant’s Trail in 16 stages, each ranging from 4 to 17km (2–11 miles).

It also offers a range of options to tailor your journey, whether you wish to complete the entire trek in one go or split it into two one-week sections, with convenient access at Valtournenche. Alternative variants, including an unforgettable detour to the historic Great St Bernard Monastery, allow you to personalise your trek according to your interests, fitness, and the weather.

  • Marvel at the snow-capped massifs of Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa, and the Grand Combin, as each day brings new views and unforgettable moments among the highest mountains in Italy and the Alps.
  • Each stage features clear route descriptions, with distance, ascent/descent, walking time, and detailed information on accommodation, mountain huts, and refreshment options, plus advice on merging shorter stages for longer days or pausing to explore mountain villages like Gressoney and Champoluc, and to sample the region’s rich culture.
  • Includes 1:50,000 mapping for every stage, downloadable GPX tracks, and concise summary tables for itinerary planning, ensuring straightforward navigation and flexibility for both full and partial treks of the Giants’ Trail.
  • Essential advice covers preparation, weather, and when to go (huts open late June–early September), travel and local transport, mountain safety, flora, fauna, history, and culture, so you are equipped for every aspect of your Aosta Valley adventure.
  • Public transport options allow you to access the route at multiple points, making it easy to customise your trek to fit your schedule and energy levels, and to explore the Aosta Valley’s towns and villages.
  • The Alta Via 1 is more demanding than the Tour of Mont Blanc but poses minimal technical difficulty, making it ideal for experienced walkers seeking a quieter, more authentic Alpine trek.
  • Can be combined with Alta Via 2 through the Gran Paradiso to form the full Tor des Géants circuit, an epic journey around the entire Aosta Valley beneath the greatest peaks in the Alps.

Plan your journey along the Giants’ Trail: Alta Via 1 with the definitive Cicerone guidebook, and discover a hidden gem of the Western Alps, where every step reveals new panoramas, warm hospitality, and the enduring spirit of adventure beneath the greatest peaks in Europe.

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Guidebook to trekking Italy's Alta Via 1 - a 180km trail through the Italian Alps, following the northern flank of the Aosta Valley from Donnas to Courmayeur. Nicknamed the Giants' Trail, the route offers fantastic views of the Alpine giants: Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. With travel advice and accommodation listings.
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Map key Overview map Route summary table Introduction The route Geography Geology History Art and culture Wildlife Plants and flowers Weather When to go Access and travel In-route transport options Accommodation Mountain huts Clothing Food and drink Language Maps and navigation Waymarking Safety and emergencies Insurance Using this guide The Alta Via 1: An Italian Haute Route Eastern section Stage 1 Donnas to Sassa (Etoile du Berger) Stage 2 Sassa (Etoile du Berger) to Rifugio Coda Stage 2A The Col Portola Route: Sassa (Etoile du Berger) to Rifugio Coda Stage 3 Rifugio Coda to Rifugio Barma Stage 4 Rifugio Barma to Niel (La Gruba) Stage 5 Niel (La Gruba) to Gressoney-Saint-Jean Stage 3A Rifugio Coda to Rifugio della Vecchia Stage 4A Rifugio della Vecchia to Rifugio Rivetti Stage 5A Rifugio Rivetti to Gressoney-Saint-Jean Stage 6 Gressoney-Saint-Jean to Rifugio Vieux Crest Stage 7 Rifugio Vieux Crest to Rifugio Grand Tournalin Stage 8 Rifugio Grand Tournalin to Cretaz, Valtournenche Western section Stage 9 Cretaz, Valtournenche to Rifugio Barmasse Stage 10 Rifugio Barmasse to Rifugio Cun&##xe9;y Stage 11 Rifugio Cun&##xe9;y to Clos&##xe9;/Oyace/Lexert Stage 12 Clos&##xe9;/Oyace/Lexert to Ollomont/Rey Stage 12A Clos&##xe9;/Oyace/Lexert to Ollomont/Rey: the low route Stage 13 Ollomont/Rey to Rifugio Champillon Stage 14 Rifugio Champillon to Saint-Rh&##xe9;my-en-Bosses Stage 15 Saint-Rh&##xe9;my-en-Bosses to Rifugio Bonatti Stage 15A Via Francigena from Saint-Rh&##xe9;my-en-Bosses to Great St Bernard Monastery Stage 15B Great St Bernard Monastery to Rifugio Bonatti Stage 16 Rifugio Bonatti to Courmayeur Appendix A Alternative schedule Appendix B Useful contacts Appendix C Useful phrases Appendix D Kit list
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9781852849924
Publisert
2021-02-23
Utgiver
Cicerone Press
Vekt
220 gr
Høyde
172 mm
Bredde
116 mm
Dybde
12 mm
Aldersnivå
G, 01
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
192

Forfatter

Biografisk notat

Andy was born and bred in northern England and developed his early mountain skills in the Lake District and Snowdonia. Since discovering the joys of the Alps in 1999, Andy and his wife have explored much of the Western Alps, walking, running, cycling, ski-touring and snowshoeing. Since the late 1980s Andy has enjoyed leading others in the mountains and recently completed the in-depth training and assessments to become an International Mountain Leader.