THE VALLEY

The region of the Gran Paradiso National Park extends from the vineyards of the Dora Baltea to the summit glaciers of Gran Paradiso (at 4061 metres the highest mountain entirely in Italy). The Gran Paradiso National Park comprises the municipalities of Arvier, Avise, Aymavilles, Cogne, Introd, Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, Rhêmes-St.-Georges , St. Nicolas, St. Pierre, Sarre, Valgrisenche, Valsavarenche and Villeneuve. Its territory extends across the southern section of the central valley of Aosta. It has borders with Piemonte and France on one side and with the Great St. Bernard valley and Mont Blanc on the other.

Walkers and climbers can find a wide variety of routes, short and long, suited to all levels of ability. Some are in the forests, whilst some reach the spectacular vistas from the crests that divide the valley from Valsavarenche and Valgrisenche. All offer the possibility of encountering wildlife such as chamois, ibex, marmots and even the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus Barbatus) (a bird of prey which had once disappeared from these valleys, but which has now been reintroduced). Climbers can take advantage of bolted rock faces and climbing walls, as well as Via Ferratas (climbs equipped with chains and ladders).