Gran Paradiso Massif
Beginner's mountaineering course - Gran Paradiso
Technical lev. : 4 / 5
FAIRLY EASY MOUNTAINEERING
5 clients maximum per Guide but the number can be reduced to 3 people depending on the routes and mountain conditions.
You should be comfortable walking in the mountains and on varied terrain. Easy climbing.
If you have already done a glacier trek, it is better, but not compulsory, if you have a good physical and mental condition.
Learning the techniques of progression in the high mountains, for fairly easy routes and easy rescue techniques.
Example of level: an easy 4000, such as Gran Paradiso (4061 mt) - Gran Paradiso National Park
Physical lev. : 4 / 5
SPORTY & TRAINED PEOPLE
Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day.
You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.
We will do a beautiful and funnly Via Ferrata in Valsavarenche Valley in the morning to familiarise you with ropes and heights, then we will hike up to the Chabod hut. On the second day we will climb to the summit of Gran Paradiso at 4061m.
. A via ferrata and 4000 mt summit in two days!
. Perfect programme for beginners in mountaineering
. Climbing in small groups, max 4 people
. Discovery of the Gran Paradiso Park
. Magnificent panorama with many 4000
. Italian welcome in a high altitude hut: the cuisine will not disappoint you
Dates & Prices
Arrival
End
Price *
Status
Du 31/05/2025 au 01/06/2025
au 01/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 04/06/2025 au 05/06/2025
au 05/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 04/06/2025 au 05/06/2025
au 05/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 12/06/2025 au 13/06/2025
au 13/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 16/06/2025 au 17/06/2025
au 17/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 21/06/2025 au 22/06/2025
au 22/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 26/06/2025 au 27/06/2025
au 27/06/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 30/06/2025 au 01/07/2025
au 01/07/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 05/07/2025 au 06/07/2025
au 06/07/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 07/07/2025 au 08/11/2025
au 08/11/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 12/07/2025 au 13/11/2027
au 13/11/2027
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 17/07/2025 au 18/07/2025
au 18/07/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 26/07/2025 au 27/07/2025
au 27/07/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 28/07/2025 au 29/07/2025
au 29/07/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 07/08/2025 au 08/08/2025
au 08/08/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 11/08/2025 au 12/08/2025
au 12/08/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 16/08/2025 au 17/08/2025
au 17/08/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 23/08/2025 au 24/08/2025
au 24/08/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 28/08/2025 au 29/08/2025
au 29/08/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 06/09/2025 au 07/09/2025
au 07/09/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 11/09/2025 au 12/09/2025
au 12/09/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
Du 13/09/2025 au 14/09/2025
au 14/09/2025
530 €
Bookings in progress / 4 place(s) left
* Price per person (without insurance)
The ascent for the dates above is guaranteed from 4 participants at the rate of 530 euros.
If the number of participants is not reached 21 days before departure, Esprit des Guides SA will cancel the booking and refund the payment received (only 3% will be retained for bank charges).
If you wish and if you agree, Esprit des Guides SA can offer you to pay the remaining balance based on the number of participants reached (see prices above) and guarantee the departure.
Contact us via this link if you wish to organise the climb on a different date than the ones on the schedule!
The trip
These two days are perfect for discovering the high altitude world and for learning rope and climbing techniques before the ascent of the Gran Paradiso at 4061 meters.
The via ferrata will have introduced you to rope handling and to this mountain ambiance.
Two days at the heart of the Gran Paradiso National Park, to enjoy its wild nature and improve little by little on an accessible route.
Esprit Montagne also offers a beginner's mountaineering course in the Vanoise National Park (France): an easier mountaineering course if you want to start more gently, without exceeding the 4000 metre bar.
The Program
Reminder : do not take the motorway at the exit of the Mont Blanc Tunnel otherwise you will lose 20 minutes and 20 euros.
Meeting with the Guide and the rest of the group at 9.00 am in Valsavarenche to start the day on a lovely Via Ferrata.
You will meet your mountain guide, who will give you the equipment for the via ferrata.
We will rent crampons and ice axe at the Chabod hut, which allows us to have a lighter backpack for those who do not have one.
We discover the amazing valley of Valsavarenche and its brand new Via Ferrata. You will learn how to use ropes and how to move on a Via Ferrata which will allow you to be at ease on the summit of Gran Paradisio the next day as the summit is accessible by a Via Ferrata at 4000 meters.
We eat at the summit and then quickly ans then reach the path for the Chabod refuge.
We follow a beautiful path in about two hours which allows us to arrive early enough at the refuge to get the crampons and ice axes, with your guide you will learn how to adjust your crampons so that the equipment is ready the next day.
We'll go to bed early tomorrow, your guide will give you the time according to the weather and the shape of the group.
Difference in altitude : + 1250 meters and - 350 meters
Length : 4 hours for the Via Ferrata and 2 hours 30 minutes for the ascent to the refuge.
Difference in altitude: + 1400 m and - 2000m
LEGTH: about 8 hours
We leave at night to climb the Glacier de Laveciau before arriving on the shoulder of the Grand Paradis where we find the normal route to access the Grand Paradis.
The route by the Chabod hut is more varied with a superb glacier which is bigger than the one on the Victor Emmanuel 2 side with beautiful passages between crevasses.
The North Face of Grand Paradis with its needles is quite impressive.
We go back down by the same route to find our stuff at the hut which allows us to go up lightly, we enjoy a good plate of pasta at the hut, then we go down to the car park with a light bag as we leave the crampons and ice axe at the hut for those who have rented them!
It's the end of the course and everyone goes back to their own way! You can go down to Aosta or Courmayeur to enjoy the Dolce Vita!
End of the tour: at the refuge Chabod, descent from the refuge on your own.
You can then descend to Aosta or Courmayeur to enjoy the Dolce Vita, before returning to Bourg Saint Maurice, Chamonix, Geneva...
OPTIONAL: if you wish, you can spend an extra night at the Refuge Chabod to lighten up the day, then descend the next morning and set off again rested (extra night to be arranged and booked in advance).
Equipement
First layer on the skin:
Second layer:
Third layer:
Last layer:
Important Additionals:
If you have any doubts or simply need clarification on what gear to take for your climb, you can take a look at our Blog page "What gear for mountaineering?"
N.B. Consider a change for when you are back to the hut (you can leave some stuff at the hut).
IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.
Difficulty
You must be comfortable walking in the mountains. Easy climbing.
If you've already done a glacier trek, that's fine, but it's not compulsory, as long as you're in good physical shape and mentally fit!
This is technically easy mountaineering, but the course is still aimed at sporty, well-trained people: effort corresponding to around 1200 - 1700m of elevation gain per day.
You must enjoy endurance sports and be at a good level.
For more details: take a look at the Esprit Montagne level scale!
Useful infos
Meeting with the Mountain Guide in Valsavarenche valley at 9:00 a.m in the village of Degioz, in front of the bar Lo Fourquin : https://maps.app.goo.gl/P4vk9e2bKK6DzQdh8
You will meet your guide, who will explain how to pack your backpack and will check the technical equipment for the two days.
End of the tour: at Refuge Chabod, descent from the refuge on your own.
OPTIONAL: if you wish, you can spend an extra night at the Refuge Chabod to lighten the day's effort. The following morning, you can head back down to the mountain well rested.
Cancellation and repatriation insurance is mandatory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover of 10,000 Euros).
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
The week before your departure, you will receive a reminder by email with all the information concerning the meeting and the guide in charge of your group.
Esprit Montagne / Esprit des Guides SA takes care of the hut reservation, you do not need to think about it.
Once you have booked your place online, we will confirm the hut booking for you (places for online dates have been pre-booked in advance).
Goretex mountaineering boots of very good quality, cramponable (type Scarpa Triolet GTX, possible to rent at Sport Du Pilier in Morgex, at Gal Sport in Aosta or at Ravanel or Snell in Chamonix and at Intersport in Bourg Saint Maurice)
crampons, ice axe and harness (can be hired at the Refuge Chabod, book in advance directly with the refuge)
Night in a refuge, in a room or dormitory depending on availability.
Remember to bring a sheet bag.
The refuge provides duvets.
You can park in the car park of Valsavarenche at the start of the path for the Chabod hut.
French speaking UIAGM mountain guide from our team.
France and Italy are in the Euro zone, so the currency is the Euro (€).
Also, the refuge has an electronic payment terminal (TPE) but we advise you to bring cash anyway.
. The guiding of the UIAGM mountain guide of our team, plus his/her accommodation and meal expenses ;
. The equipment of the collective material (ropes, carabiners, etc...) ;
. The harness, lanyards and helmet for the via ferrata on Day 1 and 2
. Half-board accommodation at the Chabod hut, as described in the programme details ;
. The meal at the Chabod refuge after the ascent of the Grand Paradis on DAY 2 (1 dish + 1 dessert)
. Personal technical equipment: crampons, ice axe and harness ;
. Lunch on Day 1 so that you can eat what you want;
. Drinks and personal expenses...
. Mountaineering boots.
. Travel by car but possibility of carpooling from Arvier;
. Everything that is not mentioned in "the price includes".
Photo gallery
Any question?
Contact us