Walking in Italy's Stelvio National Park. 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 and flatter bits of Italy and bringing them to life for visitors in a series of guides for Cicerone.

      When not out walking with Nicola, her Venetian cartographer husband, Gillian works as a freelance travel writer (www.gillianprice.eu). A strong promoter of public transport to minimise impact in alpine areas, she is an active member of the Italian Alpine Club CAI and Mountain Wilderness.

      Other Cicerone guides by the author

      Across the Eastern Alps – the E5

      Gran Paradiso: Alta Via 2 Trek and Day Walks

      Italy’s Sibillini National Park

      Shorter Walks in the Dolomites

      Through the Italian Alps – the GTA

      Trekking in the Alps (contributing author)

      Trekking in the Apennines – the GEA

      Trekking in the Dolomites

      Walking in Sicily

      Walking in the Central Italian Alps

      Walking in the Dolomites

      Walking in Tuscany

      Walking on Corsica

      Walking on the Amalfi Coast

      Walking the Italian Lakes

      Walks and Treks in the Maritime Alps

      WALKING IN ITALY’S STELVIO NATIONAL PARK

      by

      Gillian Price

      2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA, LA7 7PY

      www.cicerone.co.uk

      © Gillian Price 2013

      First edition 2013

      ISBN: 978 1 85284 690 9

      Printed in China on behalf of Latitude Press Ltd.

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

      Maps by Nicola Regine.

      Photographs by the author.

      Dedication

      For dear Nicola – companion, sherpa and mapmaker par excellence

      Acknowledgments

      Thanks to Chris and Steve as well as the Madden family for their enthusiastic company, and to Massimo Favaron and Enrico Bassi of the Stelvio National Park for their inspiration.

      Advice to Readers

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. If we know of any, there will be an Updates tab on this book’s page on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.

      Warning

      Mountain walking can be a dangerous activity carrying a risk of personal injury or death. It should be undertaken only by those with a full understanding of the risks and with the training and experience to evaluate them. While every care and effort has been taken in the preparation of this guide, the user should be aware that conditions can be highly variable and can change quickly, materially affecting the seriousness of a mountain walk. Therefore, except for any liability which cannot be excluded by law, neither Cicerone nor the author accept liability for damage of any nature (including damage to property, personal injury or death) arising directly or indirectly from the information in this book.

      To call out the Mountain Rescue ring 118 – this will connect you via any available network. Once connected ask for soccorso alpino.

      Front cover: The dramatic setting of Trafoi on the Südtirol approach to the famous Stelvio Pass (Walks 27 and 28)

      CONTENTS

       Overview map

       Map key

       Location of walks

       INTRODUCTION

       Geography

       History

       Nomenclature

       Plants and flowers

       Wildlife

       Valleys and bases

       Getting there

       Local transport

       Information

       When to go

       Accommodation

       Food and drink

       What to take

       Maps

       Dos and don’ts

       Emergencies

       Using this guide

       WALKS

       Walk 1 St Gertraud Alm Route

       Walk 2 Höchsterhütte Circuit