GTA Grande Traversata delle Alpi
The Grande Traversata delle Alpi is a spectacular 47-day alpine route through the western Italian Alps. With an approximate distance of 633 km, 44,000 m ascent (and descent), a minimum of 295 m and a maximum of 2804 m above sea level, and crossing 62 passes, the Grande Traversata delle Alpi involves 47 full days of walking.
A stone's throw from the Mediterranean, the GTA curves over the Piedmontese plain through the Ligurian Alps, MaritimeThe trail leads northwards along the Cozumelinosos, Greeks and Pennines to a glittering conclusion near the base of Monte Rosa. Crossing impressive alpine peaks and monuments, this trail offers breathtaking scenery on what is probably the most rewarding long-distance hiking route in Italy. Arduous mountain passes where the gaze is fixed on limitless horizons of craggy rocks and snowy landscapes are encountered daily, as well as lush meadows scattered with glorious wildflowers in peaceful valleys.
Practical guide
When to go?
Late June to mid-September. There may be some spring snow at the beginning, but walks are from south to north, so this is minimised.
Cities & Services
Starts in Viozene north of Genoa, ends near Monte Rosa. Visit no major cities, but public transport to Turin then Aosta is always possible to leave the route.
Not to be missed
- Argentera, Monte Viso, Gran Paradiso and the southern faces of the Pennine Alps.
- It crosses half a dozen national parks and nature reserves.
Map GTA Grande Traversata delle Alpi
The stages
Part I: Ligurian and Maritime Alps
- Stage 1 Viozene to Rifugio Garelli
- Stage 2 Rifugio Garelli to Limonetto
- Stage 3 Limonetto to Palanfré
- Stage 4 Palanfré to Trinità
- Stage 5 Trinità a San Giacomo
- Stage 6 San Giacomo to Rifugio Genova
- Stage 7 Rifugio Genova to Terme di Valdieri
- Stage 8 Terme di Valdieri to Rifugio Malinvern
- Stage 9 Rifugio Malinvern to Sant'Anna di Vinadio
- Stage 10 Sant'Anna di Vinadio to Strepeis
- Stage 11 Strepeis to Pontebernardo
Part II: The Cottian Alps
- Stage 12 Pontebernardo to Rifugio Gardetta
- Stage 13 Rifugio Gardetta to Rifugio Base Camp
- Stage 14 Rifugio Campo Base to Rifugio Pian Melezé
- Stage 15 Rifugio Pian Melezé to Pontechianale
- Stage 16 Pontechianale to Rifugio Q. Sella
- Stage 17 Rifugio Q. Sella a Rifugio Barbara Lowrie
- Stage 18 Rifugio Barbara Lowrie to Villanova
- Stage 19 Villanova to Ghigo di Prali
- Stage 20 Ghigo di Prali to Balsiglia
- Stage 21 Balsiglia to Usseaux
- Stage 22 Usseaux to Rifugio D. Arlaud
- Stage 23 Rifugio D. Arlaud to Susa
Part III: The Greek Alps
- Stage 24 Susa to Rifugio Il Truc
- Stage 25 Il Truc to Usseglio
- Stage 26 Usseglio to Balme
- Stage 27 Balme a Pialpetta
- Stage 28 Pialpetta a Fonti Minerali
- Stage 29 Fonti Minerali to Noasca
- Stage 30 Noasca to San Lorenzo
- Stage 31 San Lorenzo to Talosio
- Stage 32 Talosio to Ronco Canavese
- Stage 33 Ronco Canavese to Piamprato
- Stage 34 Piamprato a Fondo
- Stage 35 Fondo a Le Cavanne
- Stage 36 Le Cavanne to Quincinetto
Part IV: The Pennine Alps
- Stage 37 Quincinetto a Maletto
- Stage 38 Maletto a Rifugio Coda
- Stage 39 Rifugio Coda to Locanda Galleria Rosazza
- Stage 40 Locanda Galleria Rosazza to Rifugio Selle
- Stage 41 Rifugio Selle to Rifugio Rivetti
- Stage 42 Rifugio Rivetti to Sant'Antonio
- Stage 43 Sant'Antonio a Rima
- Stage 44 Rima to Carcoforo
- Stage 45 Carcoforo to Santa Maria
- Stage 46 Santa Maria to Campello Monti
- Stage 47 Campello Monti to Molini di Calasca
