Tour Monte Rosa Hike

Day 1: Arrive in Aosta and transfer to Valtournanche
Rendezvous at Aosta, Italy, in the afternoon. Aosta is easily reached by train from Milan, Italy, or Geneva, Switzerland. Once we have gathered as a group, we will transfer to the small village of Valtournanche. Welcome dinner. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 2: Valtournanche to St. Jacques
Hike to St. Jacques. Our day begins with a short transfer to Cheneil, a small hamlet of stone farmhouses. From here we climb through open pastures to the Colle di Nina at nearly 9,200’ with its impressive views of the range of peaks between the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Our long descent to St. Jacques is a classic high alpine experience: amazing views, open meadows, craggy outcroppings. Short transfer to the village of Champoluc where we spend the night. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 3: St. Jacques to Gressoney-St. Jean
A wild and timeless feeling accents today's hike. After a cable car ascent, we first hike to the tiny hamlet of Cunez with its historic buildings. Climbing up to the Colle de Pinter (9,164’) and then descending to the picturesque village of Gressoney-St. Jean, we hike through untamed pastures and past old rustic farms. This is hike breathtaking and has a real feeling of remoteness. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 4: Gressoney-St. Jean to Alagna
From our hotel in St. Jean, we will hike up the long remote valley of the Valdbbia to the pass at Colle Valdobbia at 8,184’.  During the 18th and 19th centuries, this mountain pass was a busy passageway for travelers and traders. Our descent leads us to our rendezvous point at Rifugio St. Antonio. This beautiful and occasionally steep hike is wonderful as we hike between the rocky peaks of Cresta Rossa and the Corno Rossa. From St. Antonio, we will travel by van to the pretty village of Alagna where we spend the night. 

Having left the Val d’Aosta, we have now entered the Piemonte region and the valley of Walsers. The Walsers, originally of German descent, migrated over the mountains from Switzerland to this region. With them, they brought their culture, language, and architecture. This small village is charming and fun to explore. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included.

•    It is possible to skip this day of hiking by taking a bus and then a series of cable cars up and over to Alagna. This is an optional excursion and not included. 

Day 5: Alagna to Macugnaga
A short transfer from the hotel leaves us at our trailhead at 4,810'. We climb to the Colle di Turlo at 9,035’. This amazing, though very long climb to the pass, is nearly entirely on a cobbled "road" built in the 1950s by the Italian Army Corps of Engineers. The scenery is rugged and unspoiled.  This hike will prove to be the longest and most remote of the trip. Part of our long descent of about 4,400' is also on this cobbled road. Eventually, we arrive in Lage da Fate and Isella and walk into Macugnaga, and our hotel, where we will spend the night in a hotel. 

This is a strenuous plus day. Even though the trail is well graded in long switchbacks and the footing is good, the elevation gain, descent, and distance are significant. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included. 

Day 6: Macugnaga to Saas Fee
We start the day with the cable car to the Passo di Monte Moro. Looking back, the views of Monte Rosa and her east wall equal the most impressive of mountain landscapes. Its precipitous rise is awesome. We leave Italy and cross into Switzerland at the pass, Passo di Monte Moro. The short uphill hike to the pass leads us by a large golden statue of the Madonna. 

With the aid of handrails and stepping stones, we cross into Switzerland and begin our descent to the large lake of Mattmark. On our descent from the pass, we take an ancient "paved" trade route used by mules in the early days. Arriving at the dam at Mattmark, we then take a bus to Saas Fee. The views from Saas-Fee take in the Mischabel Range with its peaks the Taeschorn, Dom, Lenzspitz, Alphubel, and Allalinhorn all rising to over 4,000 meters (13,200’). We arrive in Saas Fee in the midafternoon, allowing some time to visit this bustling alpine village. Hotel with private baths. Dinner and breakfast included.

Day 7: Saas Fee to Gspon to Zermatt 
From Saas Fee, we take the bus to Sass Grund and the lift to Kreuzboden mid-station. From here, we hike the high belvedere to Gspon. This is one of the classic hikes in the Alps, with stunning views of the Mischabel Range with its numerous peaks and tumbling glaciers. From Gspon, we take the cable car (2 sections) to Stalden. Once in Stalden, take the next train to Zermatt. Arrive in Zermatt in the late afternoon. Hotel with private baths.  Dinner and breakfast included. 

Day 8: Day Hike to the Hohenbalmen
This strenuous hike is stunning, but not easy or short. What makes it special is there are no lifts, no cars, no roads, no bikes – there are only paths, open meadows, and outstanding views of the Matterhorn and the entire Mischabel Range – Monte Rosa, Dom, Dufour, Liskamm, Breithorn, Castor, and Pollux. The trail, busy with hikers at first, leads to the Edelweiss Restaurant and the Trift Hotel. Many day hikers stop at these points, but those willing to continue to climb and put in the effort will be richly rewarded. After our fill of views, we descend, sometimes steeply, and circle back to Zermatt. Farewell dinner.

Day 9: Independent departure from Zermatt. 
Please allow for travel time when making plans. Allow for about 4 hours of train travel time to either the Geneva or Zurich Airports. The earliest train departs Zermatt at 5:40 am. Travel to Milan Malpensa takes about 3 1/2 – 4 hours by train and a short taxi ride for the last bit. Please plan flight times accordingly.

If you would like to spend any extra nights in Val Tournenche or Zermatt, please let us know when you book your trip and we will make reservations at the same hotel.