| 2025-09-16 |

Alpine Hiking & Wellness Retreat in the Mont Blanc Region

With Maria Söderholm & Ulrica Norberg

Breathe Deep. Move Mindfully. Explore Wild Beauty.

Imagine standing on a mountaintop in the heart of the Alps, breathing in crisp, invigorating air. Around you stretches a dramatic, awe-inspiring landscape of snow-capped peaks and endless sky. Silence reigns—broken only by the soft rustle of alpine winds. This is your invitation to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with nature, movement, and yourself.

A Curated Journey Through Mont Blanc's Spectacular Trails

This exclusive retreat offers a hiking experience beyond the ordinary, set amidst the stunning Mont Blanc massif. Thoughtfully designed to blend adventure, relaxation, and personal growth, our days will be guided by seasoned leaders Maria Söderholm and Ulrica Norberg, along with a local expert who brings deep knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna.

We’ll base ourselves in Courmayeur, a historic alpine village nestled at the foot of Mont Blanc—one of the world's most legendary destinations for mountaineering, hiking, skiing, and alpine sports.

What Awaits You

Guided Hikes in Val Veny & Val Ferret
Traverse the region’s most iconic valleys, surrounded by the towering peaks of the Alps and the majestic Mont Blanc glacier—revered as the "King of the Alps."
Charming Mountain Hut Lunches
Delight in traditional Alpine cuisine served in picturesque mountain refuges, where rustic charm meets regional flavor.
Relaxation & Wellness
Unwind at one of the area's most celebrated spa hotels, with afternoons free for rest, spa treatments, or simply soaking in the serene mountain views.
Evening Yoga & Breathwork
Re-center with daily sessions guided by yoga master and breath coach Ulrica Norberg, offering practices designed to harmonize body and mind after your day in nature.

Meet Your Local Guide: Giulia Longhi

Joining us for all three hiking days is Giulia Longhi, a passionate Italian guide whose deep connection to the landscape brings every trail to life.

“I’m a hiking guide, athlete, adventurer, and nature lover. I’ll guide you through valleys, peaks, forests, and beautiful terrain—walking in harmony with nature.”

Welcome to a Journey for the Senses and the Soul

Join us for an unforgettable experience in one of the most breathtaking regions in the world.

Warmly,
Ulrica & Maria

Hotel Gran Baita, Courmayeur

Warm atmospheres, seductive charm and Alpine hospitality in the presence of Mont Blanc

The Hotel Gran Baita, in a refined Aosta Valley style, manages to perfectly combine the elegance and warmth of the Aosta Valley tradition. Located in one of the most fascinating corners of Courmayeur, a few steps from the center and the charming village of La Saxe, it allows you to contemplate the majestic peaks of the Mont Blanc massif.

Courmayeur

Once known above all for its epic mountaineering challenges, Courmayeur today, thanks to its great charm, represents a glamorous tourist destination of international appeal.

It is undoubtedly one of the most famous locations in the Aosta Valley, a jewel in the crown for the quality and variety of its tourist offerings. The ritual of shopping in Via Roma, the nine holes of the Golf in Val Ferret, winter sports and après-ski are some of the excellent reasons that could lead you to Courmayeur to spend your holidays.

Rooms & Suites

The 50 rooms, elegantly furnished with soft Alpine touches, are equipped with every modern comfort including: satellite TV, minibar, safe and Wi-Fi. Most of the rooms enjoy a splendid view of Mont Blanc and a private outdoor mini-hydromassage pool or panoramic sauna.

Wellness & Spa

The wellness area of the Hotel has a beautiful indoor and outdoor swimming pool heated in summer and in winter to 32... for an unforgettable bath under a snowfall!

Restaurants & Bars

The Brasserie, the Gourmet Restaurant, the Pool Bar, the Summer Restaurant... the Gran Baita offers a great variety of choice and a wealth of dishes to all lovers of taste and refined flavours.

About Ulrica and Maria

Ulrica Norberg and Maria Söderholm lead this retreat and to soem extent you will also meet a local, certified hiking guide.

Ulrica and Maria have solid experience of leading hikes in different environments, around the world. During the pandemic, the idea arose to carry out a winter hiking trip in Sweden. This duo is based on the concept of "hikefulness" where hiking is a way of creating a conscious presence in nature. It is in nature, on the hiking trail, in the mountains that the physical, emotional and spiritual work together and the senses open up. Where we can grow as people in unison with each step and heartbeat. Winter hiking defines hikefulness to the highest degree.

Three yoga sessions are offered under the guidance of Ulrica. She adapts yoga to the day's activities. If you haven't done yoga with Ulrica before, you have something to look forward to as she is one of the most experienced and popular teachers in Northern Europe and she is known for her extensive knowledge, sensitivity and amazing ability to put together a yoga practice that suits everyone . You do not need to have any experience with yoga.

Program

September 16
Arrival day
Check-in from 14.00.

September 17
HIKE DAY 1 – VAL FERRET

Rifugio Walter Bonatti and Vallone di Malatrà

We will do a loop trail in Val Ferret with amazing views of the Mont Blanc massif.

We will reach the Walter Bonatti hut and then climb up to the Vallone di Malatrà, enjoying spectacular views of the highest mountains in the Alps. We will walk along a section of the Tour du Mont-Blanc trail.

550 m uphill
550 m downhill
6 km
Highest point 2229 meter

We leave the hotel at 9.00, start hiking at 9.30
Vallone di Malatrà at 11.30
Lunch around 12.30-13.30
Around 15.30, back at the hotel
Relax in the amazing spa at the hotel
17.00: yoga at the hotel
19.00: dinner at the hotel

September 18
HIKEDAY 2 – VAL VENY

Rifugio Combal, Combal Lake and Miage Glacier

Today, we will immerse ourselves in a completely unusual landscape: from the forest we will go to a rock glacier where we could admire very closely the glaciers of the Mont Blanc.

500 m uphill
500 m downhill
8,5 km
Highest point 2000 meter

We leave the hotel at 9.00, start hiking at 9.30
Lunch around 12.30-13.30 at Combal Hut
Around 15.00, back at the hotel
Relax in the amazing spa at the hotel
17.00: Yoga at the hotel
19.00: Dinner at the hotel

September 19
HIKEDAY 3 – ABOVE COURMAYEUR

Rifugio Bertone

We will do a loop trail where in the morning we will ascend a steep path through the forest and arrive at the Bertone hut. Here we will have a spectacular view of the entire valley and high peaks. We will stop for lunch at this lovely little hut where we can enjoy typical dishes from the Alps. After lunch we will come back on a different path in the Val Ferret.

700 m uphill
550 m downhill
8 km
Highest point 2050 meter

We leave the hotel at 9.00, start hiking at around 9.15
lunch around 12.00-13.00 at Bertone Hut
Around 15.00, back at the hotel
Relax in the amazing spa at the hotel
17.00: Yoga at the hotel
19.00: Dinner at the hotel

September 20
DEPARTURE DAY
Check-out at 11.00

Travel & facts

Included in the price:
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Breakfast and dinner
- 3 day hikes
- 3 qualitative yoga classes
- Access to spa
- Local transports

Not included:
- Flights, train etc.
- Lunches

Single Room: Can be booked with price surcharges which can be seen when you click "Book on request" before registering anything.

Check-in: Check-in from 14:00. Check-out no later than 11:00

Minimum number: 10 people booked by August 15th. Book well in advance!

How to get there:
Flight to Turin.
We recommend renting a car from Turin airport, it is the cheapest and fastest, driving time about 1 hour 45 minutes. We will create a Facebook group where participants can get in touch with each other if they want to share a rental car.
A private transfer/taxi costs about 400 EUR (one way) which you can of course also share. Take a look here.
(Public transport (train/bus) takes about 5 hours.)
We recommend not buying a flight ticket before we have announced that the minimum number of participants has been reached.

Things to bring:
- Stable and warm hiking boots
- Windproof warm clothes
- Smaller backpack for day trips
- Own coffee mug/coffee thermos
- Notepad and pen
- Nice normal physique is required for the hikes, it will go at a leisurely pace
- Light yoga mat

Special diets: Notify when booking.

Age limit: No children

Carbon offsetting

Carbon offsetting your air travel is a good way of taking responsiblity for the emissions caused by it. You can easily carbon offset your trip directly with us when you complete your booking, and you will immediately see what it costs. We collaborate with the organisation GoCLimateNeutral and the amount goes to replacing wood and coal stoves for solar-powered fireplaces in the Chinese countryside in an UN-certified climate project that has the Gold Standard certification. If you want to dive deeper into the climate compensation, you can find more info here.

Italy, Courmayeur – Hikefulness to Mont Blanc with Ulrica Norberg and Maria Söderholm