Lillaz waterfalls, a circular walk from the village
1 hAll ages; in winter, with snow footwearDog-friendlyAll year; in winter, with snow
Walk · 1 h · Easy · All year · Free
Stay3–4 nights
AccessCar from Aosta or Turin
BasesCogne, Valsavarenche, Ceresole
Best timeJune – September
What to do
What to do in Gran Paradiso
Each plan says how long it takes, who it's for and whether you can book.
Nivolet Plain, by road from Ceresole or on foot from Pont
4 hEveryone by car or shuttle; the path, with some fitnessSummer; regulated access at weekends in July, daily from 27 July to 30 August and the first two weekends in September
Alpine plain of meanders at 2,400 m: in summer, car with a €10 Nivolet Card and daily quota, free shuttles or 2 h 30 on foot from Pont.
From €10
See the activity
Lake Loie from Lillaz
2 h 45 · 3.2 kmReasonably fitSummer
Short, steep climb from Lillaz to Lake Loie, at 2,346 m: 729 m of ascent, 2 h 45 according to the park and a view towards Mont Blanc.
Plan the trip
Gran Paradiso, step by step
Each choice narrows the next: the season shapes how best to travel, and how you travel decides where you stay and where you eat.
When to go
When to go to Gran Paradiso
From June to September, with the trails free of snow and the flora of Paradisia at its peak between mid-June and July. In August there are more people and access to the Nivolet is regulated. In winter you walk on snowshoes along the park's winter trails.
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Best timeGood timeLow season
How you travel
Gran Paradiso your way
The ways of travelling that suit Gran Paradiso. We are writing a guide to each one: where to stay, how to get around and which services you will need.
By carBy campervanCampingOn footBackpacking
Who you're with
Gran Paradiso for whoever you're with
A trip with a toddler is not the same as one with a teenager. Pick yours to see what works and what to bear in mind.
Waterfalls, flowers and huts two hours away
With children Gran Paradiso works with short walks along the valley floors and the occasional climb to a hut for those who already walk. Wildlife is the hook: marmots, chamois and, with luck, ibex.
- What works bestThe Lillaz waterfalls, a one-hour…
- Where to sleepCogne, with more hotels and…
- Where to eatValley cheeses in Lillaz and…
- Keep in mindAbove 2,000 m it is…
What works best
- The Lillaz waterfalls, a one-hour loop, also in winter
- Paradisia, the alpine garden in Valnontey, free for under-18s
- The Jervis hut from Ceresole: a two-hour climb without difficult sections
- The Nivolet plain by free shuttle, with marmots beside the torrent
Where to sleep
- Cogne, with more hotels and services
- Ceresole Reale, for the Nivolet side
Where to eat
- Valley cheeses in Lillaz and Valnontey
- A sandwich at the hut or on the Nivolet plain
Keep in mind
- Above 2,000 m it is cold even in August: warm clothes and a hat for the children
- The hut paths are not for pushchairs: baby carrier
- On regulated Nivolet days, book the shuttle so you don't miss out on a place
What to do as a family
Nearby
Near Gran Paradiso
The closest places, whichever country they are in.
45.92° N · 6.87° E
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
By carCar-freeOn footCampingBy campervanBackpacking
46.02° N · 7.75° E
Zermatt
Car-freeLuxuryOn footBy plane
45.92° N · 6.13° E
Annecy
By planeCar-freeBy carLuxury
46.44° N · 8.08° E
Aletsch Glacier
Car-freeBy plane
Tips
Worth knowing first
- 1Get up early to see wildlife
Ibex, chamois and marmots show themselves at dawn and dusk, when there are fewer people on the trails.
- 2Use the winter trails
The park publishes routes designed for snow, such as the Lillaz waterfalls or the royal hunting lodge at Orvieille.
- 3Always carry a jacket
Between the valley floor and the 2,400 m of the Nivolet the weather changes within an hour.
Trying to see both sides in one day
Cogne and Ceresole are on opposite sides of the massif and by road it's a long way round. Choose one side per stay or split your nights.
How do you get there from Spain?
Fly to Turin or Milan and continue by car. The park has two faces: the Aosta Valley side (Cogne, Valsavarenche, Rhêmes), entered from the Aosta motorway, and the Piedmont side (Orco valley, with Ceresole Reale), reached from Turin. The two meet up high, at the Nivolet, but only by trail or, in summer, by the Ceresole road.
How do you get around inside the park?
By car to the end of each valley and from there on foot. Cogne is the base with the most services and from it you reach Valnontey and Lillaz. Valsavarenche is narrower and wilder, and Ceresole Reale gives onto the Nivolet road, which in summer operates with a quota, the Nivolet Card and free shuttles.
What do you need to book in advance?
The Nivolet Card if you go up by car on the regulated days from July to September, and the free shuttles from Locana, which are also booked. Mountain huts are booked through their websites. Paradisia needs no reservation, except for groups. In August, accommodation in Cogne fills up.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to enter the park?
No. The trails are free. You pay for Paradisia (€5, free up to age 18) and, on regulated days, the €10 Nivolet Card.
Can you see ibex?
Yes. The park was born from a royal hunting reserve that saved the ibex from extinction, and in summer they're seen in the high areas, especially first thing and with binoculars.
Is it a good destination with children?
Yes. The Lillaz waterfalls, Paradisia and the Jervis hut are short, easy outings.
Can you go with a dog?
The park has its own rules for dogs, with specific trails and dates. Check them before you go.
What is there to do in winter?
Snowshoeing on the park's winter trails, such as Lillaz, Valnontey or Orvieille.