The Best of the Italian Alps
Hiking in the shadow of Europe’s highest mountains
Tour Dates
19 – 27 June 2025
Tour Cost
€3,695 per person
Single supplement: €385
Visiting the Italian Alps in July is to see them in their very best season. We hike surrounded by spectacular views of the Gran Paradiso, Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc mountain ranges and, although the Val d’Aosta is the smallest region of Italy, it is big on hospitality and delicious French-influenced cuisine. We have a three night stay in exquisite Courmayeur, which sits on the border with France, from where we take a cable car to the “rooftop of Europe” at 3466m for unbeatable views of Mont Blanc. We hike a section of the Tour of Mont Blanc, visit ancient castles and follow in the footsteps of Roman armies, medieval pilgrims and Napoleon Bonaparte. The Gran Paradiso National Park, where we finish, is home to some unique wildlife and, at this time of year, stunning flower-filled alpine meadows.
This tour starts and finishes in Turin and our pick-up and drop-off point is the Hotel Concord on Via Lagrange close to the main Porta Nuova train station. We can also arrange collection and drop-offs at Turin airport. Many people choose to extend their walking holiday in Italy by seeing more of Turin, or travelling to Milan, Venice or Rome. For more ideas on where to go visit our City Guide page.
What’s Included?
- 8 nights beautiful accommodation in 3 luxurious 4 star hotels with spa facilities
- Two experienced and knowledgeable guides to look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life.
- All meals including wine
- Gourmet meals in a variety of superb local restaurants
- Support vehicle, enabling you to walk as little or as much of the trail as you please
- Transport to/from Turin at the start and end of the holiday
- Comprehensive pre-trip information.
- Luggage transported for you so all you need to carry is a small backpack with water etc.
- Museum visits, food/wine tastings as per the itinerary
Our tours are genuinely all-inclusive – learn more about what we offer.
Tour Highlights
- The Eighth Wonder of the World – a cable car journey from Courmayeur to the heart of the Mont Blanc Massif at 3466m from where the peak seems to be just an arm’s length away
- Abundant alpine flowers
- Breathtaking views
Walking/Terrain
Terrain: Mountain hiking on wellgraded alpine trails. Although many of the distances are short there is a significant amount (up to 800m) of ascent and descent, notably on days 3,6 and 8, so a sound level of fitness is required.
Shortest/Longest Day: 6km/3.8miles: 11km/6.7miles
We have graded this hike a Level 5. Some of our tours are more challenging than others, so see how we grade our hikes to make sure you choose the right one for you. If you are interested in this tour, then you might also like to take a look at Austria and the Dolomites, France and the Maritime Alps or Southern Italy
Accommodation
Ad Gallias: Delightful four star hotel in the medieval town of Bard. Excellent restaurant and spa
Cresta del Duc: Four star hotel in wonderful alpine village of Courmayeur. Spa facilities
Hotel Bellevue: Luxurious hotel in the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park in Cogne. Michelin starred restaurant and outstanding spa and indoor pool
Itinerary
LEAVE BLANK
Day 1
10:30 am: Meet at the Hotel Concord on Via Lagrange, close to Porta Nuova train station in Turin. We drive 1 hour to Pont St Martin, the gateway to the Aosta Valley, where we have a picnic lunch. Starting at the Roman bridge in the village, we walk the ancient route of the Roman armies, past vineyards clinging to the hillsides, to pick up the paved Roman road leading us to the town of Bard. We visit the dramatic fortress, which played a crucial role in Napoleon’s advance into Italy in 1800. There is an opportunity for a short walk before checking into the hotel, so please ensure you are in your hiking gear with boots ready. We stay in a delightful hotel with spa facilities for the next 3 nights. Welcome drink and dinner in the hotel restaurant.
(6km/3.8 miles)
Day 2
Explore the remote Gressoney valley at the foot of the Monte Rosa mountain chain with its fascinating Walser heritage. We climb up to and follow a trail overlooking the valley, past tiny hamlets with characteristic stone and wood houses, to a mountain refuge where we have lunch. In the afternoon, we visit the fairytale Castel Savoia, a favorite of Queen Margherita, before returning to Bard. (11km/6.8 miles) In the evening, we drive high into the mountains to a small restaurant for a dinner of local specialties.
Day 3
A beautiful drive takes us to the Champorcher valley, carved out by glaciers millions of years ago. Our hike starts along the route used by Victor Emmanuel II, the first King of Italy, in the 19th century when escaping the court to go hunting in the mountains. We follow small trails climbing past beautiful lakes encircled by snow-covered peaks and enjoy stunning views down into the valley as we descend. Opportunity to soothe your muscles in the hotel spa before a well-deserved dinner on the hotel terrace this evening.
(11km/6.8 miles)
Day 4
We leave Bard and drive to the delightful regional capital of Aosta. A private tour of the town includes many important monuments such as the Romanesque church of Sant Orso, the Roman walls, and the Roman amphitheatre. Enjoy the sights and shops before lunch in a local trattoria. In the afternoon, we continue up the valley to the stunning town of Courmayeur, which lies at the foot of Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco in Italian). We stay for three nights in a hotel in the town center. Dinner in town this evening.
Day 5
Experience a remarkable cable car ride, sometimes referred to as The Eighth Wonder of the World, which takes us from Courmayeur to the Torino refuge at 3466m. From the viewing platform, you can almost touch the peak of Mont Blanc, which stands before us at 4810m. Absorb the views over lunch in a mountain restaurant. In the afternoon, join an optional hike on the Tour Mont Blanc, climbing up 600m to a height of 2000m before a long descent to Courmayeur. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing afternoon in Courmayeur, exploring the elegant shops and cafés before dinner in a local restaurant.
(10.5km/6.6 miles)
Day 6
A magnificent full day’s hike takes us around the stunning Val Veny near Courmayeur. We follow a popular mountain trail, part of the famous Tour of Mont Blanc which circumnavigates the eponymous mountain. Pass mountain lakes and streams and see the glaciers that carved out the valley millions of years ago. Your tour guides will bring a picnic for you to enjoy amidst the glorious views. Dinner in a local restaurant.
(14.5km/9 miles)
Day 7
We depart Courmayeur after breakfast and drive to Cogne, the gateway to the Grand Paradiso National Park. En route, we visit a magnificent Roman aqueduct before taking a leisurely walk along the pretty Valnontey valley to a mountain hut or Baita where we have our picnic with views of the Gran Paradiso. We stay for the next two nights in the superb Hotel Bellevue, a historic family-run hotel set among lush pastures in the heart of the village. Afternoon tea is served daily, there is a wonderful terrace with views of the Gran Paradiso, and the hotel boasts outstanding spa facilities. Dinner in a local restaurant.
(6km/3.8 miles)
Day 8
Start our final hike at the pretty village of Gimillan (1788m). We follow the river valley, climbing past shepherds’ huts and tiny hamlets – accessible only by foot. The peace is only disturbed by the chimes of cowbells as they savor the lush grass of the hills. Picnic by a pristine mountain lake before descending once again to Gimillan. Final dinner at the hotel’s outstanding restaurant.
(12.5km/7.7 miles)
Day 9
Return to Turin Airport for 11:30 am and Hotel Concord near Turin Porta Nuova train station at 12:00 pm. This is the same hotel where we met on Day 1.
