The tour starts and ends in Turin, the host city for the 2006 Winter Olympics. There are daily flights from the UK to Turin. If time permits, we recommend visiting Turin before or after the tour. The nearest intercontinental airport is Milan and we can help you to arrange transfers from there if necessary. We stay in two towns in the Aosta Valley, Bard at 350m and Cogne at 1550m. Most of the hiking is at an altitude of between 1500m and 2500m. Nevertheless it is a hiking holiday and not a climbing expedition so no technical skills whatsoever are required. Where possible we make use of chairlifts and cable cars to take us to the best areas for walking.
Day 1
Meet Turin Train Station at 11.30am or Turin Airport 12.30pm. Drive 1 hour to Pont St Martin, the gateway to the Aosta Valley. Starting at the Roman bridge in the village we follow, on foot, the ancient route of the Roman armies past vineyards clinging to the hillsides to pick up the paved Roman road which brings us to the town of Bard. Since there is the opportunity for a short walk before we check into the hotel please ensure you are in your hiking gear with boots to hand (ie not in your main luggage). We stay in the delightful hotel Ad Gallias with spa facilities for the next 4 nights. Welcome drink and dinner in the hotel restaurant. (6km/3.8miles)
Day 2
We drive up the valley towards Cervinia and take a cable car and chair lift high up above the tree line. A circular walk takes us through flower-filled pastures, stopping en route to enjoy a delicious picnic lunch, to the small village of Chamois. Later in the day we visit the dramatic fortress at Bard, which played a crucial part in Napoleon’s advance into Italy in 1800, overlooking our hotel. In the afternoon we visit a small producer of the famous Lardo d'Arnad to learn about the intricate process involved in making this renowned delicacy. Dinner in a local restaurant. (6km/3.8miles)
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. Dinner at the Ad Gallias. (11km/6.8miles)
Day 4
Today we explore the remote Gressoney valley 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 descend to the valley and on to Gressoney St Jean and visit the fairytale castle of Queen Margherite of Savoy, Queen of Italy at the end of the 19th century. Dinner in a rustic restaurant in the hills. (7km/4.3miles)
Day 5
Today we leave Bard and travel up the valley to the regional capital of Aosta. Time to visit the town and see many of the important Roman monuments. In the afternoon we drive to Cogne, the gateway to the Grand Paradiso National Park where we stay in the historic family-run Hotel Bellevue set amongst lush pastures in the heart of the village. Light dinner in the open air and an evening walk opportunity along the streams and pastures back to the hotel. (3km/1.8miles)
Day 6
A pretty walk takes us through the hamlets around Cogne with panoramic views of the Mont Blanc and Gran Paradiso snow-capped mountains. Dinner of local specialities in a nearby restaurant. (10km/6.2miles)
Day 7
We start our walk at the pretty village of Gimillan (1788m). We follow the river valley, passing shepherds’ huts and tiny hamlets – accessible only by foot. The peace is only disturbed by the chimes of the cow bells as they savour the lush grass of the hills. Picnic by a pristine mountain lake before descending once again to Gimillan. Final dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant. (11km/6.8miles)
Day 8
Return to Turin airport for 11.30am (train station 12.30pm)
