Wilderness Travel 2017 Catalog of Adventures

Switzerland and Italy meet in a spectacular way in the Alps, and we’ve picked the best hikes on both sides of the alpine divide for our lively adventure. In Switzerland’s Valais, known for its snowy peaks, medieval villages, and herds of prized Herens cows, cable cars whisk us to high ridges for panoramic hikes. We make our way into Italy by way of the historic St. Bernard Pass, where we’ll enjoy a walk with the famous rescue dogs, then hike right down into Italy’s Val d’Aosta amid the gorgeous mountain-and-glacier scenery of Gran Paradiso National Park. Great food and wines abound on both sides of the pass, and our overnights are in delightful alpine settings, From the Swiss Valais to Italy’s Gran Paradiso ALPINE HIKES IN TWO COUNTRIES! one of Switzerland’s great nature reserves. One hike brings us to the tiny hamlet of Commeire, where our hotel is in beautifully restored ancient farm buildings. The Val des Bagnes is prime cheese-making territory, and we’ll sample the rustic local tomme, raclette, and goat cheeses. Days 5-7 Champex / Grand St. Bernard Pass / Val d’Aosta, Italy From lakeside Champex, our hike to the Cabane d’Orny, just below the Orny Glacier, offers breathtaking Mont Blanc views. Atop the Grand St. Bernard Pass (8,100'), the oldest and most famous of the great alpine crossings (traversed by Caesar and Napoleon), we walk with the legendary St. Bernard dogs, visit the 11th century pilgrim hospice, then follow a pilgrim trail that leads us down into Italy and the Val d’Aosta, a deep valley tucked away in Italy’s northwestern alpine region. Bordered by Europe’s highest peaks, the Val d’Aosta is renowned for its castles and Roman monuments. We’ll visit the pretty town of Aosta to see its Roman theater and intact original Roman town gate. Days 8-10 Val d’Aosta / Gran Paradiso National Park We head out across the high trails of Gran Paradiso National Park, savoring the backdrop of glaciers and craggy peaks. For one hike, a cable car carries us up to Lago di Chamole, where our trail has sweeping panoramas of the great peaks of the Alps—Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Monte Rosa, and the Matterhorn—all in one view! Our hotel in charming Gressoney-La-Trinité, an ancient center of Walser culture, is at the foot of magnificent Monte Rosa. Depart on Day 10. including the medieval Swiss hamlet of Commeire and the lovely Italian village of Etroubles, one of the piu belli borghi d’Italia . Days 1-4 Martigny, Switzerland / Val de Bagnes / Commeire We hike among the picturesque villages of the Val des Bagnes and in the valley’s upper region,

HIGHLIGHTS • Best alpine hikes in the Swiss Valais, Italy’s Val d’Aosta, and Gran Paradiso • Savor wine, cheese, and prosciutto tastings, and the cuisines and cultures of two alpine nations • Charming hotels in beautiful mountain settings, including boutique inns and restored historic buildings • Walk with the famed rescue dogs at the St. Bernard Pass

DETAILS • 10-day trip begins in Martigny,

TRIP COST $5495 (11-15 members) $5995 (6-10 members) Single supplement: $580

Switzerland, and ends in Torino, Italy • 9 nights in historic hotels and inns • All meals included except 2 dinners

DATES Jul 24-Aug 2, 2017 Aug 16-25

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 + 4 5 6 7 9 hiking days on moderate trails, some steep sections, 3-7 hours a day, van support, team of up to 3 Trip Leaders

Follow legendary trails from Switzerland to Italy, including the Val d’Aosta, with its Roman monuments and medieval castles. PHOTO: MASSIMO RIPANI

IRIS KÜRSCHNER

VISIT WWW.WILDERNESSTRAVEL.COM/TRIPS/EUROPE

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