The long history of the Alps, with its geomorphological processes, shaped the mountains of Gran Paradiso determining two very different environments: the Piedmont one, granite for its nature and therefore extremely suitable for mountaineering and rock climbing; the Val d'Aosta one, with more crumbly rocks, where ice climbing has became more popular.
In the Piedmont territory, in the Orco Valley some steep and deep valleys open, they sneak into the heart of the Park. This side is characterized by the so-called occhiadino gneiss, typical rock of Gran Paradiso appreciated by climbers.
For this reason in the piedmont territory of the Park, generous cracks, corners and plates, you will find the majority of the most popular slopes of the Park with a fortunate merger already from the Sparone territory and especially between Noasca and Ceresole Reale.
The Ribordone, Piantonetto, Noaschetta and Roc Valleys are favourite destinations, up to the top of Courmaon, above Ceresole, that offers beautiful climbing in front of the valley and then even higher, between Ciarforon, Becchi della Tribolazione and the peak of Gran Paradiso ifself.
The Soana Valley, stranger to mass tourism, offers rock-climbing by Piamprato but especially the Forzo Valley, where Anciesiueu stands impressively between silence and colors of a generous and uncorrupted nature.
On the Val d'Aosta side, rock climbing is less practised but still finds his goals at Pont in Valsavarenche and in some sites outside the park boundary in Rhêmes Valley. What characterizes the Val d'Aosta side, whose narrow and north-facing valleys welcome wonderful winter glaciers, are falls that from November to March, in particular in Cogne Valley, are destination of sportsmen, lovers of this challenge with iced and shiny slopes.
Among ice and rocks wildlife lives, survives, born, dies and each season the cycle of life continues, perpetual among many difficulties. Do not add more difficulties is essential: Discover how to climb in a sustainable way.