Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2 trails are among the most beautiful trails to be found in the Alps. They compose a round circuit around the Aosta Valley on the height, for a distance of 330km. Together they make the track of the Tor des Geants, Tour of Giants, one of the most attractive endurance trail race in the world. All Alta Via trails are very well maintained, and are possible to hike on around a 30 different segments of one day each. Despite it is near all in Europe, it has nothing to envy the most popular Himalayan trekking, with the benefit of nice beds in the Refugios and eat the great local food of the Aosta Valley.
The Alta Via no. 1, starts in the South-east of the Aosta Valley, at the village of Donnas (332m) and ends in Courmayeur, passing the Monterosa area from Gressoney in the Lys Valley to Cervinia in the Valtournenche Valley, through Champoluc in the Ayas Valley.
Look at our gallery from Tor Des Geants.
The trail is possible to hike in summer months, due to the fact that it crosses medium and high altitude mountain areas, through meadows and pasture, woods and rocky parts, maintaining an average altitude of around 2000m and often reaching almost 3000m.
The itinerary is very well marked with yellow signs in the main crossings, with specified time and a difficulty level, and with the number 1 written into a yellow triangle on stocks and stones all the way.
The trail ranges between Donnas and Valtournenche (courtesy of Lovevda). It is also called “The Giants’ Trail”, because of the beautiful high peaks it passes, the highest mountains in Europe: Monte Rosa (4634m), Matterhorn (4478 m), and Mont Blanc (4809m).
Natural beauty of this nearly 150km path is inextricably linked with traditions and culture of people leaving in this area from the early Middle Ages. Inhabitants of the past built most of trails that we are still able to walk today, and they used them for commerce and breeding livestock. Nowadays, cows are an inherent part in the mountains in summer, producing the delicious cheese and milk products that you will enjoy on your way.
For a complete description please visit the website of Aosta Valley.
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