DAY 1: Täsch - Europahutte
Meeting at the village of Täsch and short transfer to the village of Randa, then climb by the path to the Europahutte hut at 2264 m. We will pass the longest suspension bridge in Europe, just before the hut.
Elevation gain: 830 m. 3 h 30 of walking.
Night: Europahutte hut.
DAY 2 : Europahutte - Grächen
Beautiful crossing by the Europaweg path to the village of Grächen. We will be able to admire during the whole day the 4000 m summits such as the famous Weisshorn, one of the highest summits of Switzerland. Night in a hotel.
DAY 3: Grächen - Saas Valley- Saas Fee
We start the day with an ascent by Hannigalp cable car. We leave the Mattertal (Zermatt valley) for the Saastal (Saas valley) and contemplate the Rhone valley below. In front of you, during this crossing, a superb panorama on the Fletschhorn, the Lagginhorn and the Weissmies, summits flirting with 4 000 meters. From valley to scree and from alpine pasture to forest, we arrive in Saas Fee (1792 m). Night in a hotel.
Elevation gain : +670 m /- 600 m. 6 h 30 of walking.
Night in a hotel.
DAY 4: Saas Fee - Monte Moro Pass - Macugnaga
After a good night's rest, departure by bus to reach the Mattmark dam. Little by little, we gain altitude to leave the banks of the lake and advance towards the Monte-Moro pass (2868 m) by an old walser path. The only crossing point for hikers, the crossing of the pass marks the point of entry into Italy.
Elevation gain : +830 m /- 1670 m. 6 h walking.
Night in a hotel.
DAY 5: Macugnaga - Turlo Pass - Alagna Valsesia
Small transfer at the beginning of the hike, to avoid a passage along the road. The ascent to the pass of Turlo (2738 m) by the Quarazza valley is done along a tumultuous torrent which has traced its way in a granite rock. The water has formed beautiful basins, a peaceful landscape before approaching the climb to the pass. Descent through the alpine pastures of the Valsesia on the southern slopes of the Mont-Rose. By a succession of jumps, you reach charming sheepfolds renovated according to ancestral methods.
Elevation gain : +1590 m /- 1280 m. 7 h walking.
Night in a hut.
DAY 6: Alagna Valsesia - Passo dei Salati - Gressoney - Col de Bettaforca - Saint Jacques
Depending on your fitness and the weather conditions, several variants are available. From the Olen Pass (2881 m) you can admire the southern face of Monte Rosa and pass through the Val d'Otro, the heart of Walser culture. From the Passo dei Salati, you cross the Gressoney valley by the ski lifts to the Bettaforca pass (2672 m), from where you can see the highest peak of Monte Rosa, the Dufour point. Descent to the Ayas valley, beautiful view on the hamlet of Saint-Jacques.
Elevation gain : +1300 m /- 650 m. 5 h walking.
Night in a guest house.
DAY 7: Saint Jacques - Cime Bianche Pass - Saint Theodule Pass
Joining the Théodule refuge by the Cime Bianche pass (2982 m) and several hidden lakes, the Matterhorn pyramid imposes itself in this high mountain environment. In this high altitude refuge, perched on a rocky promontory between the glaciers, the night promises to be unforgettable.
Elevation gain : +1670 m /- 470 m. 6 h walking.
Night in a mountain hut.
DAY 8: Saint Theodule Pass - Trockener Steg - Zmutt - Zermatt
Crossing of the Saint-Theodule pass (3317 m) and its eternal snow to the Trockener Steg, without technical difficulty. Descent by cable car to Schwarzsee (2583 m). You leave the glaciers and moraines to reach the flowery alpine meadows and the wooden chalets. You cross the small village of Zmutt (1936 m) before reaching the end of your journey. Zermatt is a village without cars and has a very particular charm. End of the hike in Zermatt around 3 pm.
Elevation gain : +120 m /- 1450 m.
Option "ascent of the Breithorn":
Those who wish to do, they can finish their stay in style by climbing one of the easy "4000" of the Alps, the Breithorn (4164 m). Early departure on day 8 with the Italian guide for the ascent. Descent by the Klein Mattherhorn cable car before reaching Zermatt.
Approximately 4 hours of climbing from the Teodulo hut.
