TOUR DE MONTE ROSA HIKE
GUIDED HIKE AROUND MONTE ROSA WITH FRIENDS & FAMILY

TOUR DE MONTE ROSA

Hike around the Monte Rosa Range – From Saas-Fee to Zermatt

The Monte Rosa Mountain range, wedged between Switzerland and Italy, includes seven summits over 4,00m (13,124 feet) high, including the Dufourspitze, the second highest peak in the Alps. It is truly one of the most formidable and impressive mountain massifs with hanging glaciers and majestic peaks.

It is ringed by a challenging, awe-inspiring walking circuit, the Tour de Monte Rosa. From lush green valley forests to colourful alpine meadows, cold glacier streams, grey rocky landscapes and tiny hamlets, it truly has it all. With its unique heritage dating back to the 12th century when Swiss migrants most likely from the Wallis Canton moved to the southern slopes of the Monte Rosa and began the Walser culture, it is unlike any other walk in the Alps.
It is a trekking circuit for experienced hikers, comfortable on narrow hiking trails, scree slopes, and longer days high above the valley floor with moderate exposure.
The reward is a wilder, more rugged mountain experience, with upscale, luxurious alpine hotels awaiting us in the narrow, steep valleys, as our home away from home. We have one high mountain pass to cross, the Theodulpass, from Breuil to Zermatt, needing the company of an IFMGA mountain guide, using crampons, ice-axe and rope. The traverse is easy on a flat glacier down to the Trockener Steg cable car and then onward to Zermatt.

LOCATION
SWITZERLAND – ITALY
LENGTH OF TRIP
4-14 DAYS
AVERAGE PRICE  – This itinerary
USD $ 4,300
CAD $ 5,600
*Pricing based on three hikers

Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY
Arrival in Saas-Fee, briefing and welcome dinner.

Hotel in Saas-Fee
Dinner included

Day 2: SAAS-FEE – MACUGNAGA
We begin our trip with a short ride on a Swiss Post bus to our starting point at Mattmark. An easy stroll along the lakeside before beginning our first climb to the pass at Monte Moro 2868m where the statue of the Madonna of the Snows awaits  us on the summit. Here we hope to see our first glimpse of Monte Rosa and its impressive east face and the Marinelli Couloir- the longest ski descents in the Alps.
We descend through rocky ground and pine woods until we reach a well-traveled path which takes us to the charming village of Macugnaga our first Walser village of the hike.

Hotel in Macugnaga
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance: 23km (14.2m), 8 hours, up 1380m (4567ft), down 1753m (5785ft)

Day 3: MACUGNAGA – ALAGNA
Today we climb to the lake at Quarazza, past some ruins along the river through spruce forest to the pastures at Alpe Piana where cows may ask for some of your picnic!   Next, it’s on to the military road which takes us to the Colle del Turlo at 2738m. The ‘road’ is a wonder of engineering and craftsmanship built by the Italian military prior to WWI.  This is a long day, but thankfully the trail is well graded and continues down the other side where it meanders past ancient settlements to Alagna, a stunningly beautiful Walser village and home to possibly the best ski resort in the world, the Monte Rosa Freeride Paradise.

Hotel in Alagna
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance: 26km (16m), 8 hours, up 1613m (5323ft), down 1753m (5785ft)

Day 4: ALANA – GRESSONEY-LA-TRINITE

Another climb to start our day by heading up into the Valle d’Otro, again passing some ancient shepherd’s huts surrounded by high meadows before beginning our climb proper to the Passo Foric at 2432m.
Once at the pass, we will be able to see the south side of the Monte Rosa Range, before descending to the green waters of Lago Gabiet and the charming village of Gressoney La Trinité. We also have the option of shortening the descent by taking a cable care from Gabiet down to Stafal.

Hotel in Gressoney
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Distance: 18.5km (11.5m), 8 hours, up 1456m (4806ft), down 1245m (4108ft)

Day 5: GRESSONEY-LA-TRINITE – CHAMPOLUC
A short transfer to Biela marks the beginning of this day.
After a few steep switchbacks in the trees, we enter a steep valley, where several stone buildings remain. Cresting the Pentecoll at 2770m, we have sweeping views of Lyskam and Pollux and the ski resort of Champoluc. A beautiful descent past some high mountain lakes takes us down to our quiet village for the evening.

Hotel in Champoluc
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage delivered
Alpine Interface distance icon blue Distance: 14.5km (9m), 7 – 8 hours, up 835m (2756ft), down 135g0m (4450ft)

Day 6: CHAMPOLUC – BREUIL / CERVINIA
We are heading off towards Alpe Varda and Alpe Mase and views of the glaciated slopes of the Breithorn.
After climbing through larch woods and high meadows, where cattle and sheep graze, we climb above the turquoise waters of the Gran Lago to the Colle Superieur delle Cime Bianche at 2982m.
Here we expect our first views of the Matterhorn, before heading down past the Lago Breuil and our accommodation for the night.

Hotel in Cervinia
Breakfast / Dinner included
 Luggage delivered
Distance: 15km (9.5m) , 8 hours, up 1412m (4630ft), down 932m (3060ft)

Day 7: BREUIL / CERVINIA – ZERMATT
We have an easy morning taking the cable car to Plan Maison and Testa Grigia. This is a hut situated 200m higher than the Teodulo Refuge.
It provides views of the Breithorn and lies just below the Kleine Matterhorn. We meet our IFMGA high mountain guide here for the glacier crossing.
A quick descent brings us to the Theodulpass and the border with Switzerland, and then further down to Zermatt.
Lift for part of the descent is optional but recommended at the trail down is tedious.

Hotel in Zermatt
Breakfast / Dinner included
Luggage Delivered
Distance: 17km (10.5m), 6 hours, mainly cable cars, down by cable car1900m (6270ft)

Day 8: DEPARTURE DAY
Trip ends after breakfast, departure at your own leisure.

Breakfast included

Here’s a list of everything you can customize for your group of travellers:

ITINERARY – OPTIONS

The Tour of Monte Rosa or TMR does not lend itself to many itinerary modifications as reaching villages from the main highways requires very long journeys for luggage transfers and there are even fewer accommodation options outside of the main tourist hubs. The TMR can feel really remote and this can be a positive attribute for some hikers as villages are  located in relatively high valleys with low population densities. Ideally, spending more time in a few villages and doing day hikes allows for a more relaxed experience but requires more driving and extends the trip. The towns and villages of the TMR are much busier in the winter, making the summer circuit far more pleasant than the other alpine thru hikes.

OPTIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

The TMR is located adjacent to the Aosta Valley in the northwestern part of Italy where many historical sites are well-preserved including 14th and 15th century castles and fortifications. Dating back to Roman times, the Aosta Region is a treasure of archeological digs, museums and tiny fortified villages, ideal terrain for the history buff. Ask us about excursions to some of these areas and we would be happy to create an itinerary including these options.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is generally booked in four-star hotels, and if you would like to stay in the mountains, some nights are spent in mountain hotels. Even guest houses and mountain chalets are of very high quality, a good solution without breaking the bank.

WHAT IS ALWAYS INCLUDED

  • Hiking guide (we only hire certified International Mountain Leaders)
  • All accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Local transfers and lifts
  • Detailed information package including hiking maps of the area.
  • Some dinners and afternoon cakes

OPTIONAL SERVICES

  • Lunches, some dinners
  • Optional Via Ferrata excursions with a mountain guide

Very strenuous walking on trails that are not always marked clearly. Scree slopes, some scrambling, steep sections, both up and down.
Snow in higher elevation is possible, even in the summer. The ‘TMR’ includes some ridge walking with some exposure. Walking can be up to 10 hours a day, depending on conditions. Consecutive walking for a minimum of 6 days, 1500m (5500ft) maximum elevation gain per day. Day-packs and larger. Maximum altitude 3200m (10500ft).

HOW TO GET THERE:
The closest airport would be Zurich, but Geneva as well as Bern would be good options, connected by the excellent Swiss train system.
For more information, please have a look at our travel resources page,

If you have experience in backcountry travel or with thru-hikes, can use map, compass, GPS and can provide first aid, the Tour de Monte Rosa should pose few issues for you.The ‘TMR’ is probably one of the most technically challenging and difficult of all of our trips and does not necessarily lend itself to a self-guided option unless you fulfill the above criteria. Due to the nature of the terrain, long stretches without mobile phone reception and difficult terrain choices make it somewhat complicated without a guide. However, due to robust Swiss signage, proximity to villages, excellent guide books/maps and exceptionally accurate weather forecasting, the Tour de Monte Rosa rarely sees hikers getting into trouble. Please contact us in order to discuss if this trip would be well-suited for you as a self-guided option.

We are here to make your dream holiday come true
About Alpine Interface
Alpine Interface is a small, family-run organization, specializing in guided hiking tours, in the Alps, Europe, and the Canadian Rockies.

The company is owned and operated by Karin Stubenvoll and Louis Marino.

Louis is the owner of the company and the lead guide. He is responsible for the smooth operation and high quality of all our guided hiking trips, new itineraries, and our special customer care, which is the main reason why we have so many returning clients. Karin is the Office Manager and does all the work!

In 2005, Karin and Louis moved from Chamonix in the French Alps to the Bow Valley in the Canadian Rockies in order to explore the wilderness of the Canadian west. It also provides better customer service, being in North America.

Let Alpine Interface tailor your Tour de Monte Rosa hike for your family and friends. Celebrating our 20th anniversary in business this year has given us vast experience when it comes to the details of trip preparation. Let us take you to the majestic trails of the European Alps, to Provençal markets, the historic D-Day beaches of Normandy, and the jagged limestone spires of the Dolomites.

  • All guides are certified professionals with adequate work permits
  • Exceptional customer care and service
  • Fully customized itineraries catering to your group
  • Safe travelling with family & friends only

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