Cogne

The resort of Cogne lies on the edge of the Gran Paradiso National Park in the Italian Alps. As well as being the cross-country skiing capital of Aosta, with over 70 kilometres of ski trails, Cogne is one of the world's great ice-climbing centres, attracting climbers from across the globe.

Along the steep valley walls an array of frozen waterfalls provide some of the very best and most accessible ice climbs in Europe, from single-pitch ice crags and dry-tooling caves to famous multi-pitch cascades and massive alpine adventures.

Many of the routes here are at about 2000m above sea level, which means that Cogne enjoys some of the most reliable climbing conditions in the Alps. Cheap flights and good road links, as well as spectacular mountain scenery and a traditional alpine charm, add to the resort's appeal, making Cogne an ice-climbing destination not to be missed.

Illustrated with clear, full-colour photo topos throughout, this guidebook describes 400 ice climbs around the valleys of Cogne, Urtier, Grauson, Lillaz, Valeille, Valnontey, Valsavarenche and Valle di Rhemes.