By mid-June, the situation in Europe had improved significantly, making travel to Italy possible again. This time, the destination was Piedmont and a long-distance hike on the Grande Traversata delle Alpi (GTA).
The GTA is a relatively unknown long-distance trail that crosses the Italian Alps along centuries-old, largely forgotten paths. It runs from the Swiss border all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, linking remote valleys, high mountain passes, and traditional alpine villages far from the usual tourist routes.
My journey began in Germany and led through Switzerland, crossing the Gotthard Pass. While the Gotthard Tunnel would have been the faster option, there was no hurry, and traveling over a mountain pass is always worth the extra time for the views alone. From there, the route descended from the main Alpine ridge and continued south toward Italy.
The final stretch followed the shores of Lake Maggiore, where the landscape and climate already feel distinctly Mediterranean. Palm trees grow between steep mountain slopes, creating a striking contrast to the high Alps left behind. From there, I reached Forno in the Italian region of Piedmont—the starting point of my journey on the Grande Traversata delle Alpi.