Grand Tournalin, Alpine summit in Aosta Valley, Italy

Grand Tournalin is a 3,379 m mountain of the Monte Rosa Massif in the Pennine Alps, on the watershed between the Ayas Valley and Valtournenche in Aosta Valley. It has two summits, the north higher than the south by just 9 m. The Grand Tournalin hut stands at its foot at 2,600 m.

On 8 August 1863 Edward Whymper and Jean-Antoine Carrel made the first ascent, climbing to study a possible route up the Matterhorn. The Grand Tournalin stands between the Ayas Valley and Valtournenche, and its north summit rises 9 m above the south one.

The mountain attracts experienced climbers across the Alps who seek technical routes and demanding ascents. Many mountaineers return repeatedly because scaling it requires serious skill and preparation.

The southern approach offers better stability and clearer route-finding, while the northern face experiences loose rock and falling debris. Check current conditions and route conditions before setting out to match your climbing experience.

From both summits, you can see directly across to the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa massif, standing out clearly on the horizon. This vantage point makes the climb especially rewarding for those interested in mountain photography.