Hike the spectacular Swiss section of the challenging Tour de Monte Rosa.
Enjoy the challenge of the Höhenweg Grächen – Saas-Fee, surrounded by 4,000 m peaks.
Walk across the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge, the 500 m Charles Kuonen Bridge.
Follow the Europaweg to Zermatt, situated below the iconic Matterhorn peak.
A thrilling adventure amid an endlessly fascinating world of rock and ice.
Hike the Tour of Monte Rosa from Saas Fee to Zermatt
The Tour of Monte Rosa is an unforgettable adventure for experienced hikers. This is a three-day panoramic hike with stunning views of the icy 4000-m mountains of Saastal and Mattertal, ending at the mighty Matterhorn.
Monte Rosa is the second highest mountain in the Alps and western Europe, after Mont Blanc. Straddling the Swiss Italian border, Monte Rosa is not one single summit but a series of enormous peaks. In fact, the Monte Rosa massif is home to ten peaks above 4,000 metres, one of which being the Dufourspitze – Switzerland’s highest peak at 4,634 m. The Swiss north-western face also has several glaciers (with one of the largest Alpine glaciers) flowing towards the Mattertal valley. But that’s not all the Tour of Monte Rosa has to offer hikers, as the route finishes at Zermatt under the famous Matterhorn (4,478m), with its truly iconic pyramidal peak. For that reason, the tour is sometimes known as the ‘Tour of Monte Rosa – Matterhorn’.
Starting from Saas Fee, your first walking day is a real challenge as you follow the Balfrin high-level trail to Grächen. The next two days follow the Europaweg trail from Grächen to Zermatt. With daily ascents of up to 1,400 m and sections secured by ropes, this spectacular walk around the Swiss side of Monte Rosa is perfect for experienced hikers looking for a serious challenge in a stunning alpine setting.
| 5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS | From €799 per person sharing
*A high season surcharge of €40 pp. will apply from 29/6 to 30/8. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week (subject to availability) between June 29th and September 15th. | ||||||||||||||||||
| ACCOMMODATION | 4 nights accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis. You will stay in middle class hotels for three nights and in a dormitory at the Europahütte on day 3. | ||||||||||||||||||
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| DISCOUNT FOR DIGITAL ROUTE BOOK | Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room (let us know at the time of booking if you would like to do this). |
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| DIFFICULTY | This trip is graded challenging overall. The first stage to Grächen, in particular, is a real challenge. Exposed sections are secured with ropes and a head for heights and sure-footedness are absolutely essential right from the start. Snowfields are possible into the summer months on high-level sections. The following stages along the Europe Trail have been made somewhat easier in recent years. However, good physical condition is also required for the hiking days to Zermatt. | ||||||||||||||||||
Day 1: Arrival in Saas-Fee
The car-free town of Saas-Fee lies in the Saastal valley, surrounded by an astonishing amphitheatre of 4,000 peaks and gleaming glaciers. Visitors are attracted by a wealth of wonderful hiking trails as well as the town’s cuddliest inhabitants, the famous tame marmots!
Overnight: Saas-Fee.
Day 2: Saas-Fee to Grächen
Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 1250 m | Descent: 1450 m | 7-8 hrs approx.
The wind whistles around your ears, occasionally a stone crunches under your shoe. But otherwise, you hear… nothing! The pioneers, who built the Balfrin high trail over several summers in the 1950s, did not call the connection between Saas-Fee and Grächen the “path to silence” for nothing. Even today, there are no mountain huts or hotels on this hike to disturb the peace.
This challenging high-level trail is extremely exposed in places as it leads you along the steep mountain walls of the Balfrin group. A head for heights is needed, as you enjoy dizzying views deep into the Saastal below and enthralling views of the surrounding Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn and Weissmies.
Overnight: Grächen.
Day 3: Grächen to Europahütte
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 1400 m | Descent: 760 m | 6-7 hrs approx.
Spectacular views of the highest Swiss peaks await you on the second stage of the Swiss Tour Monte Rosa.
After the Balfrin trail, today you walk the first section of the Europaweg trail. Starting with a steep climb to the ridge, then with superb views along the steep flanks of the Mischabel. Above the Mattertal, you traverse alpine meadows and deep gorges to the Europahütte, which towers high above the village of Randa. The sensational alpine panorama is dominated by the imposing peak of the Weisshorn.
Overnight: Europahütte*.
*You will need to carry your overnight kit in your day pack as the Europahütte is high in the mountains and only accessible by foot. Your main luggage will be transferred from to Zermatt where you spend the following night.
Day 4: Europahütte to Zermatt
Distance: 20 km | Ascent: 950 m | Descent: 1600 m | 6-7 hrs approx.
The second section of the Europaweg trail takes you from the Europahütte to Zermatt. Again, this is a challenging route, in places hewn from solid rock and running through tunnels and over bridges. An early highlight on the route is the stunning Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge, the longest of its kind in the world at 494 m. When you reach Ottovan (2187m), you can take a well-earned break before continuing on the final section with incredible views of the Matterhorn all the way. With its unique pyramidal shape, the Matterhorn is one of the world’s most iconic peaks. It sits right on the border between Switzerland and Italy. The summit is 4,478 metres high, making it one of the highest summits in the Alps.
Overnight: Zermatt.
Day 5: Departure or extension
Your tour of Monte Rosa comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us. If you wish to have some extra days to explore Zermatt then we would be happy to arrange that for you.
Getting to Saas-Fee
Departure from Zermatt
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