Gran Paradiso

Gran Paradiso
The Gran Paradiso, seen from Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele
Elevation:	4,061 metres (13,323 feet)
Latitude:	45° 32′ N
Longitude:	7° 16′ E
Location:	Italy
Range:	Graian Alps
First ascent:	1860 by Cowell, Dundas, Payot, Tairraz
Easiest route:	rock/ice climb

The Gran Paradiso (fr : Grand Paradis) is the highest mountain group in the Graian Alps, located in the Valle d'Aosta region of north-west Italy. The peak is close to Mont Blanc on the nearby border with France, but entirely in Italian territory.

The highest summit (4,061 metres (13,323 feet)) was first reached on September 4, 1860 by J.J. Cowell, W. Dundas, J. Payot and J. Tairraz. Today it is generally considered an easy climb, except for the last 60 metres to the summit. Climbs normally start from either the Rifugio Chabod or the Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele. The latter is named after Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy who created the Gran Paradiso royal reserve in 1856, actually Gran Paradiso National Park .