Gran Paradiso | Activity holidays in Italy with Authentic Adventures

Gran Paradiso is the alpine region of northern Italy bordering France, an area of extraordinary unspoilt beauty. The area is now protected but its history is less peaceful. Before Roman times, the valleys of Gran Paradiso were inhabited by a Celtic people called Salassi. The Romans exploited the mines to extract lead, copper and gold. This precious metal gave the name to the Orco Valley and the river running through the valley was called "Eva d'Or" (gold water) due to the abundance of traces of gold into its water. After the fall of Roman Empire these valleys were uninhabited and became hide-outs for bandits.

In the 19th century the park was declared Royal Hunting Reserve for King Vittorio Emanuele II, and trails were made to reach the best hunting spots. The reserve became a National Park in 1922.

Since the 2nd World War, the chamois goat population has recovered. Gran Paradiso National Park now attracts sustainable tourism to the area and the hunting trails are used by walkers enjoying the wildlife such as steinbock, marmots, foxes and eagles in their natural habitat. An aroma of pine trees fills the air, the tranquillity is amplified by the birdsong and flowing streams, views of alpine peaks and lakes is simply breathtaking. From its past as a bandit country, it's now called 'paradise' by the visitors who walk in Gran Paradiso

Where we stay

Chalet del Lago

Details of our accommodation will be uploaded shortly.