Gran Paradiso, Mountain summit in Cogne, Italy
Gran Paradiso is a 4061-meter peak located entirely within Italian territory in the Aosta Valley and serves as the highest point of this kind in the country. Two mountain refuges provide base points for climbers attempting to reach the summit.
English mountaineer Edward Whymper led the first documented ascent to the summit in 1860. This early climb became a significant moment in alpine mountaineering history.
The mountain sits within Gran Paradiso National Park, a protected area created to safeguard alpine ibex and support traditional mountain communities. Visitors can experience how local shepherds and farmers have adapted to life at high altitude.
Most climbers use the routes starting from the two mountain refuges, typically taking two to three days for the complete journey. Good hiking boots, physical stamina, and climbing experience are needed because the trail is steep and can be hazardous in poor weather.
A Madonna statue stands on the peak, a surprising religious marker placed at this extreme altitude. Climbers often find this small figure an unexpected encounter near the summit.
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