Walser Tour
Hiking tour in the Monte Rosa

Trip

The Monte Rosa massif is the second highest massif in the Alps:

The highest point of the massif is Pointe Dufour, with many peaks over 4000 meters with many glaciers. The Saas and Zermatt valleys are known all over the world for their typical chalets of the Walser people and the beauty of the peaks with valleys reminiscent of the Himalayas.

Hiking trip from Switzerland through Piedmont and Aosta Valley in Italy:

The crossing that starts from the Saas Valley is a wild hiking route which is little frequented with great passes. The path crosses the border between Switzerland and Italy along the "Walser path" : when people only circulated by feet, the Swiss Valley was easier to access than the lower Italian valleys in summer, and that is why a trade connection linked the Swiss and Italian people, who became to share the same mountain culture and were known under the same name: the Walser people. Macugnaca and Alagna are part of the Piedmont region in Italy, then from Val d'Ayas it is the autonomous region of Val d'Aosta.

The different stages of crossing the Alps with Esprit Montagne:

In 2021 we offer you two stages to start crossing the Alps by leaving the classic paths, we have chosen to avoid the Mont Blanc massif which deserves another visit to focus on the Monte Rosa massif (from Switzerland to Italy) and the Gran Paradiso massif (from Italy to France).

In 2022 we will continue the path towards the Mediterranean Sea.

Program

Program of the Monte Rosa Crossing:

DAY 1
VISP - SAAS ALMAGEL - HUT

Meeting point: At the Visp train station at 8:30 am to meet and get to know each other,

We leave by bus from Visp to Saas Almagel at 9:10 am, the bus will leave us near the Mattmark dam in the middle of the morning. We take the path that crosses the dam, to take a path on the right bank of the lake. There are many galleries, then the path leads to beautiful mountain pastures. The climb then becomes steeper towards the Monte Moro pass. The view of the Valais glaciers is magnificent, many 4000 are found around the Saas valley. Once at the top a magnificent view of the east face of Monte Rosa will open up before our eyes! We will enjoy the place and the superb view during
We will then take the cable car that goes down to Macugnaga, to reach the lodge for the night in this charming village at the foot of Monte Rosa.
Only 6 kilometers separate Macugnaga from Pointe Dufour at 4634 meters, but the face is 3300 meters high, it is the most impressive north face of the Alps, with its famous Marinelli corridor.

Transport: VISP- MATTMARK approximately 1h
Vertical drop: + 750 m and - 200 m
Walking time: 4 - 5 hours approximately

DAY 2
HUT - MACUGNAGA

After a restful night and a good breakfast, we will head to the Zamboni refuge, at the feet of the northeast face of Monte Rosa, under the Punta Gnifetti where the highest refuge in the Alps is located: the Capanna Margherita at 4554 meters of altitude. We enjoy the view of the glaciers which are part of the most imposing masses of ice in the Alps.

Then, the descent is quite fast to reach back Magunaga, this charming little ski resort with many villages made up of pretty chalets. We will be able to enjoy an Italian ice cream and the many specialties of Piedmont.

Vertical drop: + 900 meters and - 900 meters
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours approximately

DAY 3
MAGUGNAGA - ALAGNA

We leave early in the morning for the longest stage of the trek and also one of the wildest, the Colle del Turlo is the objective of the day to reach the valley of Alagna.

We go up in the forest a long valley at the edge of a superb stream and a small lakes then the path goes up in the pastures, we will take a break at the small Bivouac Lanti to enjoy the view before continuing our path which straightens to arrive at Colle del Turlo, the path is wide but there can be quite late snow in its north face during the summer. This is why we are doing this trek in August. We eat at the top to enjoy the view then off we go for a superb descent into the Alagna valley, the chalets have a Typical Walsers architecture, here the local dialect resembles German and we have the impression of not being not having left Switzerland because the culture and the buildings are so similar. We will sleep in a superb refuge which is very typical, depending on the reservations you will discover a superb chalet or other ...

Vertical drop: + 1550 meters and - 1200 meters
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours approximately

DAY 4
ALAGNA - GRESSONEY

We leave in the morning to go up to the Gemschhore, several routes to be carried out depending on the weather, your form and your desires, the Guide will explain to you on the map at the refuge the day before to choose the route for the next day. We can therefore either descend to Alagna to take a superb forest path and discover the Otro valley or choose to climb directly into a superb valley and enjoy the view of the glaciers on the east face of Punta Gnifetti (4554 meters) . We can then shorten the day by taking the ski lifts if the weather is not good or if you are tired. Depending on the reservations we will sleep above Gessoney or in the center of the village.

Vertical drop: at most + 1500 meters and - 800 meters, the route can be very short with the ski lifts.
Walking time: approximately 6-8 hours depending on the route

DAY 5
GRESSONEY - VAL D'AYAS

We leave Gressoney to reach the Val d'Ayas depending on the weather your Guide can choose three routes, the one we prefer goes through a pass at 3000 meters above sea level which is on the crest line that leads to the Quintino Sella refuge , this refuge is the starting point for many mountaineering races. On the way, we will meet Mountaineers who set off with ropes, crampons, ice axes and helmets to reach the summit of Castor and Pollux or who are returning from the famous Spaghetti Tour. We will walk under the glaciers of Monte Rosa with a breathtaking view, the path is wide enough to the pass then a small path will descend into a superb valley which allows to reach the Ayas valley under the Mezzalama refuge at the foot of the chain of Breithorns. If the weather is not optimal or if you are tired we can reduce the stage by taking ski lifts such as the cable car and the gondola that leads to the Bettaforca pass.

Vertical drop: + 1200 meters and - 1000 meters maximum
Walking time: approximately 7 to 8 hours 

DAY 6
VAL D'AYAS - CERVINIA - TEODULO HUT

We leave quite early for the last big day of walking. The path climbs to the bottom of a valley at the foot of numerous cliffs and glaciers and leads to the northern pass of the Cimes Blanches. We will then continue with a path to the Refuge Théodule if you are in good shape, otherwise we will take a cable car up to the Plateau Rosa and take a short descent on the ski slopes to reach the hut. The Dent d'Hérens and the Matterhorn will be close by, with an exceptional view of the Breithorn and Mont Rose. 

Vertical drop: + 1100 meters and - 500 meters
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours approximately

DAY 7
TEODULO HUT - ZERMATT

We enjoy a breathtaking view at sunrise, then we take the ski slopes to traverse to the Klein Matterhorn or via the new Testa Grigia cable car.

If you wish it is possible to climb the Breithorn as an option, you can see the programme here.

We will then take the cable car from the Klein Matterhorn to a medium station on the Swiss side and we will then hike down to Zermatt for a final meal together.

The trek ends in Zermatt, so that those who want to take the chance to enjoy an additional day in the Swiss mountaineering capital can organise their end of stay as they wish.

At the end of the trip: the town of Visp (the departure point where you left your car) can be easily reached by train.

See you soon for new adventures!

Vertical drop: + 200 meters and - 1300 meters
Walking time: 5 to 6 hours approximately

Materiel

Equipment for the Trek - Crossing the Alps - Monte Rosa

The Trekking Backpack

If possible, take a bag that is light enough to be carried well, and no heavier than 1.5 kilos.

• Small : 45 litres max
• Large : 50 litres max

Your rucksack should have 10 to 15 litres of space for the food you will be carrying for lunch and sometimes the next day, which the mountain huts or guides will give you.

Kilos to carry - it's better to wash than to carry :

• Small : 5/6 kilos max, without water and food
• Large : 6/7 kilos max, without water and food

You should count on 2 litres of water and 500 grams of food for the day.

Head-to-toe equipment for the trek:

• a cap or hat for the sun
• a hat for the cold
• a buff or choker (optional, but great in bad weather)
• a Gore Tex jacket or equivalent for bad weather
• a pair of gloves, waterproof if possible
• a small down jacket or fleece to withstand sub-zero temperatures
• two jumpers: one light and one warmer; if it's cold, we'll use all the layers
• two or three technical T-shirts
• 2 to 4 pairs of socks, which you can wash in the torrents near the refuges (use solid soap to wash)
• trousers
• tights
• shorts
• a bag cover for the rain
• a waterproof bag to keep a change of clothes dry
• a change of clothes for the refuge
• A pair of hiking boots with Vibram soles or good quality trail shoes from 20 July, if possible try them on before the trek.

Essential items:

• a sleeping sheet for the hut
• 2 telescopic walking poles
• Canteen or water bottle to provide at least 2 litres of water
• sun cream factor 30 to 50
• A pair of category 3 sunglasses
• a light headlamp
• small treats such as dried fruit and chocolate
• cash and your identity card or valid passport

Toiletries :

• a light, quick-drying towel, hiking style
• body soap
• toothbrush with toothpaste or solid toothpaste
• small shampoo (specialist shops sell small bottles that you can keep for the rest of your hiking life)
• a pair of earplugs to help you sleep at night in the refuge

Pharmacy & other items :

• your medication
• a light survival blanket
• nail clippers
• enough to make small dressings
• a few compresses and plasters or, better still, Strappal

Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.

A small book or card game (weighing less than 150 grams)...

Necessities for meals :

• a light Opinel-type knife
• a fork and a spoon
• A local speciality to share with the rest of the team, liquid or solid.

Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure!

So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before you set off, to check that without water or food your rucksack weighs 6 to 7 KG, but no more !

IMPORTANT: if a person is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow him/her to take part in the climb. We ask you to read carefully the equipment list provided in the programme PDF and to call us if you have any doubts.

Level

Physical Level 4/5

SPORTY & TRAINED PEOPLE
You manage the sporting activity of the trip you are purchasing ! Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day.
You enjoy and practise endurance sports at a good level.

Technical Level 3/5

DIFFICULT MOUNTAIN WALKING
The hike has dizzying, physical and technical passages, the path is sometimes equipped with cables and ladders to allow progress.
You must master the activity, you are autonomous in the mountain in the easy passages, the guide will help you in the difficult passages.
You will learn about the weather and how to use a mountain rope to help you progress.
Maximum 10 clients per guide.

Useful info

Useful information for the trek:

Access

You can reach Visp by Train for this Trek, we recommend it, to limit parking costs and facilitate the return if your return from Aosta is easier via Chamonix.

Otherwise, you can park near Visp train station, find out about the parking price which is quite expensive.

Meeting on the first day:

Sunday at the Visp Bus station at 8:00 am to get to know each other, quickly check the equipment then we leave by bus for the start of the Trek.

Last night after the end of the trek
We have chosen to include in the stay one night after the end of the trek in order to allow you to better organize your transport and to rest properly, while facilitating your trip without having to take care of additional nights.

End of the tour:

In Zermatt around 3:00 pm.
The return by train from Zermatt to Visp is not included, so to allow those who wish to enjoy and visit Zermatt.

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is recommended as well as another insurance guaranteeing search and rescue in the mountains (approximately 10,000 Euros guarantee), the trek takes place in Switzerland and in Italy in case of rescue, they are paid with costs which can be very important if a helicopter is needed.
Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https://www.assurance-multi-sports.com.

Car sharing

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in the car-sharing scheme to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of the other participants who are interested in car-sharing, so that you can contact them directly.

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