Through the Italian Alps. Gillian Price

      

      About the Author

      Gillian Price was born in England but moved to Australia when young. After taking a degree in anthropology and working in adult education, she set off to travel through Asia and trek the Himalayas. The culmination of her journey was Venice where, her enthusiasm fired for mountains, the next logical step was towards the Dolomites, only hours away. Starting there, Gillian is steadily exploring the mountain ranges of Italy and bringing them to life for visitors in a series of outstanding guides for Cicerone.

      When not out walking and photographing with Nicola, her Venetian cartographer husband, Gillian works as a freelance journalist and translator. An adamant promoter of the use of public transport to minimise impact in alpine areas, Gillian is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club and the Outdoor Writers’ Guild.

      Other Cicerone guidebooks by Gillian Price

      Walking in the Dolomites

      Walking in the Central Italian Alps

      Walking in Italy’s Gran Paradiso

      Walking in Tuscany

      Walking in Sicily

      Shorter Walks in the Dolomites

      Treks in the Dolomites: Alta Via 1 & 2 (co-author)

      Walking in Corsica

      Trekking in the Apennines

      THROUGH THE ITALIAN ALPS

      GRANDE TRAVERSATA DELLE ALPI (GTA)

      by

      Gillian Price

      2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      © Gillian Price 2005

      ISBN 1 85284 417 5

      All maps and diagrams: Nicola Regine

      Photos: Gillian Price

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

      Dedication

      For dear Giorgio and his smiling face

      Acknowledgements

      Grazie di cuore, immeasurable thanks to the Cuneo Provincial Authority in the persons of Andrea Costa and Daniele Cantanessa, who opened all those doors to the giornalista inglese and provided mountains of material. Then there was GTA enthusiast Franco Dardanello, Nanni Villani and the directors, expert rangers and helpful personnel of the Alta Val Pesio & Tanaro and Alpi Marittime Parks. Alessandra Ravelli of the Italian Alpine Club Library kindly went to the trouble of photocopying the historic texts, ARPA Piemonte provided the meteorological data, and Señor Cabrales offered priceless advice on matters musical.

      Sharing downpours, overgrown paths, nettle stings and disorienting mist, along with breathtaking views, refreshing dips, panoramic picnics and carafes of life-saving red, my trusty ‘shift-walkers’ were Nicola, Colleen, Bruno, the ‘dwarf’ family of dotto Clive, mammolo Lucy, brontolo Giles, pisolo Alice, cucciolo Holly, then Edda gamba feroce with Giampietro, and Laura and Daniele.

      I am indebted to Jonathan at Cicerone for sending me on this wonderful route, and to all the staff for their great work.

      Advice to Readers

      Readers are advised that while every effort is taken by the author to ensure the accuracy of this guidebook, changes can occur which may affect the contents. It is advisable to check locally on transport, accommodation, shops, etc, but even rights of way can be altered. The publisher would welcome notes of any such changes.

      Front cover: Lago Malinvern (Stage 8) below Rocchetta della Paur

      CONTENTS

       Introduction

       The GTA Trek

       Italy’s Western Alps

       Piedmont

       Walking the GTA

       When to Go

       Getting There

       Local Transport

       How to Use this Guide

       Dos and Don’ts

       Emergencies

       Waymarking and Maps

       What to Take

       Accommodation

       Telephones

       Food and Drink

       Vegetation

       Wildlife

       GTA Route Description

       Part I: The Ligurian and Maritime Alps

       Part II: The Cottian Alps

       Part III: The Graian Alps

       Part IV: The Pennine Alps

       Route Summary

       Appendix I: Tourist Information

       Appendix II: Main Peaks along the GTA

       Appendix III: Italian–English Glossary

       Appendix IV: Further Reading

      En route to Passo di Rocca Brancia, backed by the Maritime Alps (Stage 12)

INTRODUCTION