Itinerary

Day 1: Rendezvous in Aosta, Italy in the afternoon. This village is easily reached by train from Milan, Italy or from Geneva, Switzerland. Once we have gathered as a group, we will transfer to the small village of Val Tournenche. Welcome dinner.

Day 2: Hike to St. Jacques. Our day begins with a short transfer to Cheneil, a small hamlet of stone farmhouses. From here, we climb up 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.

Day 3: Today’s hike is accented by a wild and timeless feeling. Climbing up to the Colle de Pinter (9,164’) and then descending to the picturesque village of Gressonay-St.Jean, we hike through untamed pastures and past old rustic farms.

Day 4: 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. Arriving in the early afternoon, there will be time to explore Alagna and the small Walser Museum.

Day 5: From our starting point at 4,810′ we climb to the Colle di Turlo at 9,035′. Wild and unscarred by ski lifts, roads and hotels, this hike will prove to be the longest and most remote hikes of the trip. Our descent of about 4,900′ leads of to Isella and then Macugnaga for the nights.

Day 6: From Macugnaga, we will take the cable car to the Passo di Monte Moro. Looking back, the views of Monte Rosa and her east wall willequal the most impressive of mountain landscapes. Its precipitous rise is amazing. We leave Italy and cross into Switzerland at the pass. On our descent from the pass, we take an ancient trade route paved for use by mules. Arriving at the dam at Mattmark we then take a bus to Saas Almagell from where a pleasant hour hike leads us to the village Saas-Fee.

Day 7: Our hike to Graechen leads us to the high plateau of Stafelalp that skirts the rocky mountain of the Lammenhorn. This hike is rugged and open and exposed. Arriving Hannigalp we will take the cable car to the village Graechen

Day 8: From Graechen, we get on the “Europaweg” staying high along the west-facing slope. This amazing trail offers outstanding views of Rhone Valley to the north and the Mischabel Range to the south. The very rocky, very rugged trail is open and exposed at times. Europe Hut is a recently built hut offering comfortable though simple accommodations.

Day 9: By now the mountains will be readily recognizable, Matterhorn, Dent Blanche, Ober Gabelhorn, Zinalrothrn, Weisshorn. We begin our final hike ending in Zermatt. Overnight in hotel. Farewell dinner.

Day 10:Individual departure from Zermatt. Please allow for travel time when making plans.

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