Giroparco Gran Paradiso starts at Città di Chivasso Refuge, at Colle del Nivolet and, after 8 stages, throught Colle Larissa in Soana Valley, connects to the Aosta Valley stretch. The Giroparco runs on the Royal Hunting Paths, built by the Savoy during xix century, with dry stone walls, paved stretches and constant gradient of 8-10%, to connect the hunting lodges of the game reserve, that became the first Italian National Natural Park in 1922. The Giroparco route between Ceresole Reale and Ronco Canavese overlaps some stretches of Alta Via Canavesana. The route developes at altitude, offering wide views of Orco and Soana Valleys, their extraordinary flora and fauna, sanctuaries and other examples of local architecture and history.
SALIENT FEATURESColle del Nivolet, Lake Lillet, Gran Piano Hunting Royal Lodges, Noaschetta creek waterfall in Noasca, Sanctuary of Sant’Anna dei Meinardi, trout hatchery in Vallone di Piantonetto, Lake Eugio dam, rock carvings, Prascondù Sanctuary, Sanctuary of San Besso.
TOURIST INFORMATION AND OUTDOOR SERVICE FACILITIESGran Paradiso National Park - Tourist Secretary (Piedmont) +39 0124.901070 - info.pie@pngp.it Ceresole Reale, Visitor Centre Homo et Ibex, hamlet Prese at former Grand Hotel +39 0124.953321Ceresole Reale, Town Hall Tourist Office +39 0124.953186 - www.turismoceresolereale.itCampiglia Soana, Visitor Centre L’uomo e i coltivi +39 0124.901070Noasca, Visitor Centre Le forme del paesaggio +39 0124.901070Locana, Visitor Centre Antichi e nuovi mestieri +39 0124.83557Locana, Town Hall Tourist Office +39 0124.83904 - ufficioturistico@comune.locana.to.itRibordone, Visitor Centre La cultura e le tradizioni religiose, at Sanctuary +39 0124.817525Ronco Canavese, Visitor Centre Tradizioni e biodiversita’ in una valle fantastica +39 0124.817377Ronco Canavese, Town Hall – +39 0124.817377 - cvronco@pngp.it
CONNECTIONS AND TRANSPORT
Route Start: get to Ceresole Reale (bus leaving from Torino Porta Susa station – GTT line), then reach Colle del Nivolet by bus or shuttle (road opening from June 15th to October 15th) and Città di Chivasso Refuge.
Route Arrival: from Champorcher (Pont St. Martin tollgate, A5 Torino-Aosta highway) reach by car the ancient village of Dondena and follow signage to Dondena Refuge (it can be reached by car).