Exploring the Tor de Géants trail

The giants are the mountains — Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Matterhorn, and the Gran Paradiso — touched by the Alte Vie of the Valle D’Aosta. In addition, all the competitors of the Tor de Géants can also be referred to as giants — they are daredevil runners who compete along these trails in the world’s most famous endurance race.

It’s 330 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 24,000 metres, along a circular route with departure and arrival in Courmayeur, to be completed within 150 hours. This itinerary full of adrenaline and effort is well worth it, with spectacular scenery and breathtaking landscapes.

First follow the Alta Via No. 2 towards the lower Valley and return along the Alta Via No. 1. This trail can also be discovered by foot or mountain bike, along high-altitude paths during the day, with the possibility of stopping at shelters in the evening — perhaps the same ones where the fearless runners take their breaks.

ALTA VIA N0. 2

Alta Via No. 2, also called the Alta Via Naturalistica, is a charming hiking route that partly crosses the territories of the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. During the summer months, it offers spectacular and unique flora and fauna.

Suitable for everyone, it winds along well-defined and marked paths, and it is possible to complete it in full or limit your trip to short stretches. The route leads from Courmayeur to Donnas, climbing an average altitude of 2,000 metres, with peaks of 3,000 metres, and can be divided into 14 stages that require 3-5 hours of walking each, equipped with stopping points, campsites, bivouacs and shelters. Almost at every step, the itinerary descends into the valley floor, where it is possible to stop the hike and return by bus.

ALTA VIA NO. 1

Along the Alta Via No. 1, known as the Alta Via dei Giganti, you can witness spectacular nature in all its imposing beauty. The route develops at the foot of the highest mountains in Europe, the giants Monte Rosa, Matterhorn and Mont Blanc.

In addition to incomparable natural landscapes, there are also testimonies of rural architecture, closely linked to the life of the mountain pastures, such as the traditional Walser buildings of the Gressoney Valley and the Upper Ayas Valley.

Even this route, which leads from Donnas to Courmayeur in 17 daily stages, does not present great difficulties, thanks to the well-marked trails that are, on average, 80 cm wide.

Crossing pastures, woods and stony ground, you will stay at an average altitude of 2,000 metres, reaching 3,000 metres at the Col Malatrà (2925 m.), symbol of the Tor de Géants. Its breathtaking views never fail to evoke strong emotions — not only because of the imposing landscapes, but also because this is where the most coveted stretch of the Tor des Géants begins — the one that, descending through woods and wide valleys, leads the competitors to their coveted goal.