Gran Paradiso, Mountain summit in Cogne, Italy

Gran Paradiso is a 4,061-metre summit in the Graian Alps, on the border between the Cogne and Valsavarenche municipalities in the Aosta Valley. Its broad, rounded top is snow-covered, with dark grey rock ridges breaking through the snow on the left and a steep snow face on the right. The summit is the highest point of the only 4,000-metre massif lying entirely in Italian territory.

The first ascent was made on 4 September 1860 by John Jeremy Cowell, W. Dundas, Michel Payot and Jean Tairraz via what is now the normal route. In 1931 the priest-mountaineer Joseph-Marie Henry led a donkey to the summit, and Achille Ratti, later Pope Pius XI, climbed it carrying a boy on his shoulders.

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.

The summit reached by the normal route is the Cima della Madonna at 4058 m, topped by a small statue of the Virgin Mary. The true main summit, 4061 m, lies about 15 minutes of grade II UIAA climbing beyond it, and many novice alpinists stop at the Madonna.