Trekking in the Alps

Route descriptions: The tour of Monte Rosa, a large massif which includes the Punta Dufour second highest peak in the Alps, is simply not to be missed. Anyone who claims to be a dedicated mountaineer should, at least once, spend these 10 amazing days in this exceptional mountain environment. Not only does the Monte Rosa massif have several peaks exceeding 4000m, but it also offers incredibly varied scenery that attracts more and more trekkers every year. The landscape ranges from meadows to grazing and alpine pastures, cliffs and crests, crevasses and ice bridges. In full view of Monte Rosa, rises the unmistakable Matterhorn/Cervino. Monte Rosa lies on the Swiss-Italian border. Its name does not, as commonly supposed, derive from the fact that at sunset and at dawn the mountain is bathed in a pink light, but from the word “rouese”, that in Patois means “glacier”. Monte Rosa attracts climbers and trekkers from all over the world. There will only be a few occasions to be alone and the huts are usually very lively.

Skills required: This tour requires endurance and you need to be prepared to walk for long hours, even 10 hours, carrying heavy rucksacks. Moreover, glaciers are inevitable on this tour. The Teodulo glacier does not present many crevasses, but you should rope up to traverse it.

Fluhalp – Stellisee – Ottavan – Europahütte

Travel time: 7-7,5 h

Follow the Europa trail, a visible and well waymarked path. The area above Täsch, where there is danger of falling rocks, has been secured and the critical parts are equipped with fixed cables. Cross the tunnel and walk up the Kiental. After a few ups and downs, take the path to Grüengarten. After a slight descent you start raising up again towards the Europahütte. Try to wake early the following morning, you must not miss the Weißhorn bathed in pink light.

Accommodation:
Täschalp/Ottavan (2214m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9672301, e-mail: [email protected], or [email protected], open from the beginning of July to the end of September, private.
Europahütte (2265m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9678247, e-mail: [email protected], open from mid June tomid October, private.

Europahütte – Galenberg – Große Grabe – Z’Seew – Grächen

Travel time: 6,5-7 h

Keep on walking on the Europa trail and enjoy a fantastic view of the Weißhorn, Riedgletscher and of the deep Mattertal. The ascent is well waymarked and themost dangerous points are equipped. It is important not to descend towards Gasenried but follow the path leading to the Bordierhütte or Grächen. Head to the small Lake “Z’Seew” and you finally reach the small town of Grächen (1619m).

Accommodation:
For information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Grächen – Hannigalp – Stock – Lämmugrabe – Saas-Fee

Travel time: 6,5-7- h

Today’s route runs over the Saastal. You can slightly shorten the journey by taking the cable car to Hannigalp (2121m). Initially, follow a broad path until you reach a chapel marking the beginning of a high mountain path, followed by an uphill and downhill slope. After the Schweibbach the path leads you, without difficulty, along very steep mountain walls, crossing a glacial stream flowing below the rocks, and finally takes you to the well-known town of Saas Fee (1809m).

Accommodation:
For information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Saas-Fee (Bus) – Saas Grund (Bus) – Mattmark – Passo del Monte Moro – Macugnaga

Travel time: 6,5-7,5 h.

FThe second part of today’s route is the most spectacular with an impressive view of the eastern face of Monte Rosa. However, this requires good mountaineering skills. From Saas- Fee, catch the bus to Saas-Grund (1559m) and continue as far as Stausee Mattmark (2197m). The ascent to Pass Monte Moro (2853m) is steep and strenuous. As you cross the col, you enter Italy. You can avoid the long descent by taking the cable car from the Oberto-Maroli hut (2796m) to Macugnaga (1307m), but in so doing, you will miss the breathtaking view of Monte Rosa’s eastern face.

Accommodation:
Rif. G. Oberto-Maroli (2796m): Tel. +39-0324-65544, e-mail: [email protected], open from the beginning of July to mid September, CAI.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Macugnaga – Lago delle Fate – Alpe La Piana – Bivacco E. Lanti – Colle del Turlo – Rif. Pastore

Travel time: 8,5-9 h

Today you are going to walk on military roads. The route does not require sophisticated climbing skills, but is of considerable length and requires good fitness. After a nice meal on the lake delle Fate (1309m), walk up to colle del Turlo (2738m) going past the Lanti bivouac (2150m). The last part of the path heads south towards the Pastore hut (1575m), where you can rest and eat well, preparing yourself for the demanding days to follow.

Accommodation:
Bivacco E. Lanti (2150m): 9 places, always open, no heating available
Rif. Pastore (1575m): Tel. +39-0163-91220 or +39-348-6976383, e-mail: [email protected], www.rifugiopastore.it open from mid May to the end of September, CAI.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Rif. Pastore – Rif. Crespi Calderini – Rif. Guglielmina – Col d’Olen –Rif. del Gabiet/Rif. del Lys – Stafal

Travel time: 7-7,5 h

FToday, the sight of populated mountain regions replaces that of breathtaking natural scenery. You can choose to descend to Alagna, a beautiful Walser village, or you can walk up directly to the Guglielmina hut (2864m) and continue as far as the Col d’Olen (2881m). During the day you will walk past several huts which will tempt you to stop for refreshments. Pass a cairn used as a trail mark and follow the path 10B. The ascent to Col d’Olen is demanding and it will reveal the unfortunate consequences of winter tourism. From the col, go up for about 100m further to the Passo dei Salati (2970m). You can shorten the day by descending to Stafal (1825m) in the Gressoney valley by using the cableway. Otherwise make the long descent on foot.

Accommodation:
Rif. Guglielmina (Col d’Olen; 2864m): Tel. +39-0163-91444 e-mail: [email protected], www.rifugioguglielmina.com, open from mid June to mid September, private.
Rif. del Lys (2358m): Tel. +39-0125-366057, open from mid June to mid September, CAI.
Rif. del Gabiet (2357m): Tel. +39-0125-366258, e-mail: [email protected], www.rifugiogabiet.it, open from mid June to mid September, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info..

Stafal – Sitten – Passo Saler/Rothorn – Lago Cavallo – Rif. Ferraro

Travel time: 4,5-5,5 h

The official itinerary usually crosses Colle della Bettaforca, but this would mean that you would only trek on roads and through ski areas. An alternative way is the path running across Passo Saler or the Rothorn Pass (2689m), which is a much more interesting scenic option. The descent demands a good sense of orientation, because the signs are often faded. Finally, descend to Ferraro (2066m) or to the hut Guide di Frachey (2060m).

Accommodation:
Albergo Ristoro Sitten (2218m): Tel. +39-0125-366300, e-mail: [email protected], open from the beginning of June to the end of September, private.
Rif. Guide d. Frachey (Résy, 2060m): Tel. +39-0125-307468, e-mail: [email protected], www.rifugioguidefrachey.it, open from mid June to mid September, private.
Rif. Ferraro (2066m): Tel. +39-0125-307612, e-mail: [email protected], www.rifugioferraro.com, open from the beginning of June to mid September, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Rif. Ferraro – Piano da Tzere – Col Superiore delle Cime Bianche – Lago Cime Bianche – Rif. Teodulo

Travel time: 7-7,5 h

On the penultimate day of the tour you will be spending the night at over 3000m. This should not constitute a problem, because at this stage you should be well acclimatised. After a nice walk on the outstanding Piano da Tzere plain, go up to Col superiore delle Cime Bianche, at 2,981m. In 7 hours you reach the Teodulo hut, at over 3300m, where you can spend the night.

Accommodation:
Rif. Teodulo (3,317m): Tel. +39-0166-949400 or +39-338-3267009, e-mail: [email protected], www.caitorino.it/teodulo.htm, open from mid June to mid September, CAI.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.

Rif. Teodulo – Trockener Steg – Furgg – Hotel Schwarzsee – Zermatt

Travel time: 5-5,5 h

From the Teodulo hut cross the upper Teodulgletscher and the Furggletscher. Normally, both glaciers present many but not very dangerous crevasses. However, in the case of bad weather or mist, it is advisable not to underestimate what may be hidden. Despite the fact that these glaciers seem to be pretty harmless, you should rope up to traverse them. You then descend and enter Switzerland. From Trockener Steg (2939m) continue towards Furgg (2432m) and then walk up again towards Hotel Schwarzsee (2538m). Follow a very well waymarked path and you reach the world famous village for alpinists: Zermatt (1616m).

Accommodation:
Gandegghütte (3029m): Tel. +41-(0)796-078868, www.holidaynet.ch/gandegghuette, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, private.
Berghotel Schwarzsee (2583m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9672263, e-mail: [email protected], www.zermatt.net/schwarzsee, open from the beginning of June to the end of October, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info

Useful information

Tourist information
Zermatt Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-9668100, e-mail: [email protected] Wallis Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-3273570 e-mail: [email protected], www.valais.ch
Saas Fee Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-9581858, www.saas-fee.ch
Tourismusverein Grächen: Tel. +41-(0)27-9556060, e-mail: [email protected], www.matterhornvalley.ch
Consorzio Turistico Gressoney Monterosa: Tel. +39-0125-356670, e-mail: [email protected], www.gressoneymonterosa.it
Consorzio Turistico Val d’Ayas: Tel. +39-0125-307392, e-mail: [email protected], www.valdayas-monterosa.it
IAT Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche di Macugnaga: Tel.+39-0324-65119, e-mail: [email protected]
Ufficio Turistico Alagna Valsesia: Tel. +39-0163-922988, e-mail: [email protected]

Alpine Guides
Alpin-Center Zermatt: Tel. +41-(0)27-9662460 www.zermatt.ch/alpincenter
Guide Alpine Alagna: Tel. +39-0163-91310 e-mail: [email protected], www.guidealagna.com
Guide Alpine Macugnaga: Tel. +39-347-0900129 www.guidealpinemacugnaga.it
Guide Alpine di Gressoney: Tel. +39-0125-36628 e-mail: [email protected], www.guidemonterosa.info
Guide Alpine Champoluc-Ayas: Tel. +39-346-2441219 e-mail: [email protected], www.guidechampoluc.com
Società delle Guide del Cervino: Tel. +39-0166-948169, e-mail: [email protected], www.guidedelcervino.com
Società delle Guide della Valpelline: Tel. +39-0165-78559 (Etroubles) or +39-0165-713502 (Valpelline) e-mail: [email protected], www.guidevalpelline.com

Maps
Map IGC 5 Cervino – Matterhorn – Monte Rosa: 1:50.000
Map IGC 108 Cervino – Matterhorn: 1:25.000
Map IGC 109 Monte Rosa – Alagna V.: 1:25.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 5028 (Monte Rosa/Matterhorn): 1:50.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 1328 (Randa): 1:25.000
National map of Switzerland, Sheet 1348 (Zermatt): 1:25.000
Kompass map Monte Rosa, Sheet 88: 1:50.000

Alpine clubs
Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), Sezione di Aosta: Tel. +39-0165-40194, www.aosta.caivda.it/sito/default.htm
Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS): Tel. +41-(0)31-3701818 e-mail: [email protected], www.sac-cas.ch

Public transport:
Rhaetic Railway: Tel. +41-(0)81-2884340, www.rhb.ch

Weather:
Switzerland: +41-(0)900-162 333 www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch
Italy: www.meteo.it, www.meteoitalia.it, www.meteoam.it
Aosta: www.meteoaosta.it
Aosta Valley: www.regione.vda.it/territorio/centrofunzionale/meteo/default_i.asp

Websites
www.europaweg.ch
www.tmr-matterhorn.ch
www.via-alpina.org