Giroparco Gran Paradiso – walking in Italy's first national park

The Gran Paradiso Giroparco is an eight–stage itinerary that runs entirely through the Gran Paradiso National Park in Italy.

For many years, hunters stalked ibex in these landscapes and this wild goat is now the park’s symbol. By the beginning of the 19th century, ibex were extinct in the French, Italian, Slovenian and Austrian Alps. Only around 100 remained in the small area below the slopes of the Gran Padadiso.

In 1821, Charles Felix of Savoy introduced a hunting ban. Although this law obviously didn’t apply to everyone: the royal family could still go on their beloved hunting trips. In 1856, Victor Emmanuel II established the Royal Hunting Reserve. In 1919, Victor Emmanuel III ceded the territory to the state with the wish that a national park be established to protect the animals and plant species. On 3rd December, 1922 Gran Paradiso National Park became Italy’s first.

Following the Giroparco, you walk along mule tracks that connected the various hunting lodges. They lead you over hills with sweeping views of the Soana and Orco valleys. On the way, you explore small chapels, majestic sanctuaries, abandoned hamlets and picturesque villages. By day, you can relax on the shores of Alpine lakes and lose yourself in thought under a blanket of stars in the evening. Your host, the ibex, is sure to amaze you with its regal poses too.

The route starts from the car park below the Rifugio Città di Chivasso, on the Colle Nivolet, and ends at the Rifugio Dondena. For logistical reasons, the last stage of this Collection ends in Champorcher.

Take a sleeping bag with you, as you spend some nights wild camping, at unmanaged refuges or GTA (Grande Traversata delle Alpi) stations. I advise stocking up on bars and food that is light and compact, but energy–rich as you hike high in the mountains or through small villages where there are few opportunities to buy food. Make sure you bring breathable and rainproof clothing, some warm clothes, poles and sturdy boots.

The best time to walk the Giroparco is from mid–June to mid–September.

If you plan to sleep in a tent, be aware that you can only do so in specific areas. Wild camping and bivvy bags are prohibited on the territory of the park. Bivouacs are only allowed in emergencies, when you’re far from the shelters or if they’re full.

To reach the Nivolet Pass, the park has a shuttle service departing from both Noasca and Ceresole Reale. You can reach the latter two villages by bus from Turin. For more info, see:
pngp.it/nivolet/come–arrivare/orari–navette. From Champorcher, the bus runs to Pont–Saint–Martin station with a change in Hône. The train then takes you back to Turin.