Walking and Trekking in the Gran Paradiso. Gillian Price

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СКАЧАТЬ by walkers out of season. Intending users will need to be fully equipped with sleeping bag, food, stove, utensils and so on. Water is usually available in the vicinity.

      Bivouac huts

      A bivacco hut can be the classic mountaineer type, a rounded metal container (with basic bunk beds and blankets), or, at best, a converted shepherd's hut with running water, wood or gas stove and blankets. They are not always left open, thanks to inconsiderate users in the past. Information on where to collect the key can be found under the relevant walk. Please leave the premises in good condition. There is not usually any charge to use them, but a donation is always a good idea to go towards maintenance costs.

      You will also come across a series of modest huts, 38 in all, marked on maps as Capanna or Casotto PNGP. They belong to the park for exclusive use by the rangers, and are not available to walkers.

      Camping

      Wild camping is forbidden within the Gran Paradiso National Park, and allowed only outside its borders above 2500m. However, there are good facilities in most valleys and many camping grounds also have bungalows.

      Vallon di Cogne:

      Al Sole (Lillaz) Tel 0165 74237 www.campingalsole.com, open year-round

      Gran Paradiso (Valnontey) Tel 0165 749204 www.campeggiogranparadisocogne.it, open June to Sept

      Lo Stambecco (Valnontey) Tel 0165 74152 www.campeggiolostambecco.it, open May to Sept

      Les Salasses (Lillaz) Tel 0165 74252 www.campingcogne.it, open year-round

      Valsavarenche:

      Pont-Breuil (Pont) Tel 0165 95458 www.campingpontbreuil.com, open May to Sept

      Gran Paradiso (Plan de la Presse) Tel 0165 905801 www.campinggranparadiso.it, open June to Sept

      Grivola (Bien) Tel 0165 905743 www.campinghotelgrivola.com, open April to Sept

      Val di Rhêmes:

      Val di Rhêmes (Rhêmes-Saint-Georges) Tel 0165 907648 www.campingvaldirhemes.com, open May to Sept

      Valle dell'Orco:

      Piccolo Paradiso (Ceresole Reale) Tel 0124 953235 www.campingpiccoloparadiso.it, open April to Oct

      Villa (Villa) Tel 346 5792146 www.campingvilla.it, open April to Oct

      Valle de la Thuile:

      Rutor (Villaret) Tel 333 1372961 www.campingrutor.altervista.org, open June to Sept

      Val Veny:

      La Sorgente (Peuterey) Tel 389 9020772 www.campinglasorgente.net, open summer

      Aiguille Noire (Zerotta) Tel 0165 869041 www.aiguillenoire.com, open summer

      Val Veny (Cuignon) Tel 0165 869073, open summer

What to take

      The choice of gear to take can make or break a walking holiday. It is worth spending time beforehand on careful preparation. The following checklist may be helpful.

       Comfortable lightweight rucksack with waist straps; plastic bags or stuff bags to keep the contents organised

       Walking boots with ankle support and non-slip soles, preferably already worn in

       Light footwear such as sandals for the evenings

       Lightweight sleeping sheet or sleeping bag liner, essential for overnight stays in mountain huts (on sale in many CAI rifugi)

       Small towel and personal toiletries in small containers

       First aid kit and personal medicines

       Rainproof gear – either an anorak, overtrousers and rucksack cover or a large poncho. Walkers who wear spectacles will appreciate a folding umbrella, although it won't be much use in a high wind

       Telescopic trekking poles to distribute rucksack weight over the body and off wonky knees will provide psychological support during steep descents and stream crossings, keep sheep dogs at bay or even double as a washing line

       Sunglasses, hat, chapstick and high factor cream. For every 1000m you climb the intensity of the sun's UV rays increases by ten per cent. This, combined with lower levels of humidity and pollution which act as filters in other areas, and possible snow cover which reflects UV rays, means that you need a cream with a much higher protection factor than at sea level.

       Layers of clothing for dealing with everything from scorching sun to a snow storm: T-shirts and shorts, comfortable long trousers (not jeans), warm fleece and a wind-proof jacket, with woolly hat and gloves for emergencies. Gaiters come in handy for snow traverses

       A supply of high energy food such as muesli bars and chocolate

       Maps, altimeter, compass and binoculars

       Camera, extra memory cards, battery recharger with adapter

       Whistle, small headlamp or torch with spare battieres, for calling for help

       Supply of euros in cash and credit card. ATMs can be found at most of the towns on the routes. Assume that a rifugio does not accept credit cards unless otherwise stated.

       Salt tablets or electrolyte powders to combat salt depletion caused by excessive sweating

       Water bottle

       Mobile phone, recharger and adapter

Wildlife

      Animals

      One of the main reasons for visiting the Gran Paradiso is the marvellous opportunity for observing wildlife at close quarters. To state the obvious, the best way to spot animals is actually to look for them – most are masters of disguise and perfectly camouflaged in their natural habitat. Desolate rock-strewn cirques may reveal fawn patches which, on closer inspection, turn out to be chamois. Levellish grassy ground is pitted with entrances to marmot burrows and abandoned farm buildings overgrown with nettles may be home to vipers. Uninviting rock crests are worth perusing with binoculars for the likelihood of ibex sentinels tracking the progress of walkers!

      Naturally the formidable ibex, Capra ibex, is the recognised king of the Gran Paradiso. Also known as bouquetin or steinbock, this stocky СКАЧАТЬ