Italy | Italian Alps Trek: Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, and Gran Paradiso

Explore Italy's western Alps beneath its most iconic summits.

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Trip Highlights:

Enjoy evenings spent in Courmayeur, Cogne and Champoluc.
After a full day of exploring, rest in superior 4-star hotels known for their hospitality and ambiance.
Dine on haute cuisine in elegant surroundings to regional, farm-to-table specialties in cozy surroundings.

Set in Italy’s northwestern corner, this trek brings you straight into the heart of the Aosta Valley, where three of the Alps’ most legendary mountains define the horizon. With Mont Blanc towering above Courmayeur, the wide, untamed valleys of Gran Paradiso unfolding around Cogne, and the glaciers of Monte Rosa framing Champoluc, this journey offers a true sense of place—classic Italian Alps hiking shaped by big scenery, varied terrain, and time spent beneath some of the most iconic peaks in Europe.

For those who enjoy settling in and staying put for a few nights at a time, this trek strikes a perfect balance—varied days on the trail paired with the comfort of unpacking once and letting the landscape come to you.We begin in the beautiful and historic alpine resort town of Courmayeur, ideally perched at the headwaters of the Dora Baltea River as it winds its way through the Aosta Valley and eventually toward the Mediterranean. Set in northwest Italy at the crossroads of France and Switzerland, Courmayeur sits directly beneath the imposing south face of Mont Blanc—arguably the mountain’s most dramatic and awe-inspiring aspect.

Our next trekking adventure takes us to Cogne, one of the Aosta Valley’s most picturesque villages and the gateway to Gran Paradiso National Park. Italy’s oldest national park is a landscape of wide alpine meadows, hanging valleys, and cascading waterfalls, with wildlife ranging from ibex and marmots to golden eagles. Cogne itself is surrounded by four valleys and anchored by the vast Meadows of Sant’Orso, officially recognized as a “Wonder of Italy.”

Our journey concludes in the charming village of Champoluc, where summer brings access to an extraordinary network of trails beneath the glaciers and peaks of the Monte Rosa massif. The upper Val d’Ayas still carries traces of the Walser people, who settled these high mountains in the 12th century, and their influence remains part of the region’s quiet, timeless character.

Throughout the trek, we stay in superior four-star hotels chosen for their hospitality, comfort, and ambiance. Meals are just as thoughtfully selected, ranging from haute cuisine in elegant dining rooms to regional, farm-to-table specialties served in cozy, authentic settings—an ideal complement to days spent hiking beneath Italy’s highest peaks.

Learn more about the Northern Italian Alps-Valle d'Aosta destination

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Courmayeur

Independently transfer to Courmayeur. Overnight in a well-appointed four-star hotel not far from the pedestrian zone.

Day 2 - Checrouit/Masion Ville to La Visaille

Setting out with Courmayeur’s main tram to Plan Checrouit, we ascend to a magnificent ridge directly opposite some of the most spectacular scenery in all of the Alps. We spend the morning fascinated by the South Face of Mont Blanc (its most impressive side). After a well-timed espresso stop, we descend into the Val Veny, a verdant glacier scoured valley below the French border. Wander gentle WW1 roads to La Visaille for our quick shuttle home. A panoramic start to say the least!

Distance: 6 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1200/2000 ft.

Day 3 - Sentiero Balcone della Val Ferret

The balcony path above the Val Ferret is the perfect complement to yesterday’s outing in Val Veny. In fact, it is a near mirror image. Still staring up at the South Face of Mont Blanc we now get a full view of its most famous facet – The Brenva. As the legendary Tom Patey once put it, “Any fool can monkey around on rock overhangs, but it takes craft and cunning to beat the Brenva”! Sure enough this Himalayan-scale wall of ice was the setting for many of mountaineering’s most significant developments over the course of generations.

Distance: 7 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 1800/2100 ft.

Day 4 - Transfer to Cogne

Cogne is approximately a 1-hour drive, first down the main valley and then climbing up to the edge of the Grand Paradiso National Park. The park was established by King Victor Emmanuel in the early 19th century to protect its legendary Ibex herd (from poachers – he wanted to hunt them himself!). The Ibex are Italy’s most majestic wild animal and are now ever present after having been culled to a herd of only 60 at the time of the park’s initiation. We have the option to enjoy a lovely circumnavigation on floor of the beautiful Valnontey or a quick ascent to a nearby sub summit for those in need of more challenging terrain.

Day 5 - Lago di Loie Loop Hike

One of the most celebrated hikes in the Cogne area, excellent views and ever-changing terrain all culminating in the wonderful cascading waterfall “Cascade de Lillaz”. The Lago di Loie is a crystal clear emerald green lake set against the backdrop of Mont Blanc now receding into the distance. Begin in the tiny hamlet of Lillaz just up valley from Cogne. Marmots and Ibex abound in this lovely amphitheater. Continue on to the upper ridge to complete a circumnavigation of the valley or enjoy shorter options back to your start point.

Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2100/3100 ft.

Day 6 - Rifugio Vittorio Sella

This out and back trail goes into the National Park and features the possibility of wildlife viewing, as well as views of the Grand Paradiso mountain. Start wandering along the floor of the Valnontey beside the river or enjoy a jump start by vehicle to the hamlet of Valnontey. An excellent, very broad path, takes us into the Lauson Valley below the Petit and Grand Lauson. The gentle trail is a wonderful feat of engineering. Enjoy a fabulous hut lunch at the Rifugio Vittorio Sella – you may even have Ibex trying to steal your food!

Distance: 6 to 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3300 ft.

Day 7 - Cogne to Champoluc

Begin with a scenic 1.5 hour transfer to Champoluc. Spend the a afternoon hiking above the village. There are several hike options to choose from, including an easy-going loop hike to the Cappella Sarteur. Harder options such as the Mezzalama hut are also available. Champoluc has risen from its humble history to become a startlingly beautiful and elegant Aostan mountain village below the magnificent flanks of the Breithorn and Lyskamm.

Day 8 - Alpi di Verra and Lago Blu

Today we experience an excellent loop out of the village of St. Jacques, the highest in the valley. A remarkably charismatic hamlet, St. Jacques is not to be missed! We spend the day under the broad flanks of the Breithorn (the peak that towers above Zermatt, Switzerland on the opposite side of the ridge). The Lago Blu is a charming byproduct of glacial advances of the early 19th century when the ice was exceptionally active. It now even boasts gentle white sand beaches.

Distance: 8 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2700 ft.