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In this section we present a chapter from the book
Per Alpes, Discovering the Alps in 20 circular walks.
Read the tour description below or download
the book here.
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Monte Rosa, the largest massif of the Alps
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Vast glaciers cover the Monte Rosa Massif. Foto: M. Onida |
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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 4,000 m, 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.
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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.
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Zermatt – Rothorn – Sunnegga-Paradiesbahn – Leisee – Fluhalp |
The first day of your tour is going to be easier, in preparation for the strenuous days to follow. From Zermatt (1,616 m) take the Sunnegga-Paradiesbahn up to 2,288 m then walk down to the Leisee. Without encountering great difficulties, follow the ample good path to Fluhalp (2,620 m), where you will spend your first night. Weather conditions permitting, it is strongly recommended to take a 10 minute walk down to Stellisee, from where you will enjoy a breathtaking sunset. Obviously you could forego the Paradiesbahn and complete this first day entirely on foot, taking about 4 -4½ hours, and gaining 1,120 meters in height. |
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Accommodation
Fluhalp (2,620 m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9672597, e-mail: pollux.zermatt@reconline.ch, www.fluhalp-zermatt.ch , open from the end of June to the beginning of September, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
Click on map for larger image.
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Fluhalp – Stellisee – Ottavan – Europahütte |
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. |
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Accommodation
Täschalp/Ottavan (2,214 m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9672301, e-mail: willischthomas@yahoo.ch, or europaweghuette@yahoo.com, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, private.
Europahütte (2,265 m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9678247, e-mail: fam.brantschen.europahuette@freesurf.ch, open from mid June to mid October, private.
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Europahütte – Galenberg – Große Grabe – Z’Seew – Grächen |
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 the most 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 (1,619 m). |
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Accommodation
For information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Grächen – Hannigalp – Stock – Lämmugrabe – Saas Fee |
Today’s route runs over the Saastal. You can slightly shorten the journey by taking the cable car to Hannigalp (2,121 m). 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 (1,809 m). |
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Accommodation
For information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Saas Fee (Bus) – Saas Grund (Bus) – Mattmark – Passo del Monte
Moro – Macugnaga |
The 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 (1,559 m) and continue as far as Stausee Mattmark (2,197 m). The ascent to Pass Monte Moro (2,853 m) 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 (2,796 m) to Macugnaga (1,307 m), but in so doing, you will miss the breathtaking view of Monte Rosa’s eastern face. |
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Accommodation
Rif. G. Oberto-Maroli (2,796 m): Tel. +39-0324-65544, e-mail: passomoro@libero.it, open from the beginning of July to mid September, CAI. For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Macugnaga – Lago delle Fate – Alpe La Piana – Bivacco E. Lanti –
Colle del Turlo – Rif. Pastore |
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 fi tness. After a nice meal on the lake delle Fate (1,309 m), walk up to colle del Turlo (2,738 m) going past the Lanti bivouac (2,150 m). The last part of the path heads south towards the Pastore hut (1,575 m), where you can rest and eat well, preparing yourself for the demanding days to follow. |
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Accommodation
Bivacco E. Lanti (2,150 m): 9 places, always open, no heating available
Rif. Pastore (1,575 m): Tel. +39-0163-91220 or +39-348-6976383,
e-mail: info@rifugiopastore.it www.rifugiopastore.it open from mid May to the end of September, CAI. For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Rif. Pastore – Rif. Crespi Calderini – Rif. Guglielmina – Col d’Olen –Rif. del Gabiet/Rif. del Lys – Stafal |
Today, 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 (2,864 m) and continue as far as the Col d’Olen (2,881 m). 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 (2,970m). You can shorten the day by descending to Stafal (1,825 m) in the Gressoney valley by using the cableway. Otherwise make the long descent on foot. |
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Accommodation
Rif. Guglielmina (Col d’Olen; 2,864 m): Tel. +39-0163-91444
e-mail: calaba@libero.it, www.rifugioguglielmina.com, open from mid June to mid September, private.
Rif. del Lys (2,358 m): Tel. +39-0125-366057, open from mid June to mid September, CAI.
Rif. del Gabiet (2,357 m): Tel. +39-0125-366258, e-mail: info@rifugiogabiet.it, www.rifugiogabiet.it, open from mid June to mid September, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Stafal – Sitten – Passo Saler/Rothorn – Lago Cavallo – Rif. Ferraro |
The offi cial 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 (2,689 m), 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 (2,066 m) or to the hut Guide di Frachey (2,060 m). |
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Accommodation
Albergo Ristoro Sitten (2,218 m): Tel. +39-0125-366300, e-mail: info@sitten.it, open from the beginning of June to the end of September, private.
Rif. Guide d. Frachey (Résy, 2.060 m): Tel. +39-0125-307468,
e-mail: rifugioguidefrachey@libero.it, www.rifugioguidefrachey.it, open from mid June to mid September, private.
Rif. Ferraro (2.066 m): Tel. +39-0125-307612, e-mail: mail@rifugioferraro.com, www.rifugioferraro.com, open from the beginning of June to mid September, private.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Rif. Ferraro – Piano da Tzere – Col Superiore delle Cime Bianche
– Lago Cime Bianche – Rif. Teodulo |
On the penultimate day of the tour you will be spending the night at over 3,000 m. 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 2,981 m. In 7 hours you reach the Teodulo hut, at over 3,300 m, where you can spend the night. |
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Accommodation
Rif. Teodulo (3,317 m): Tel. +39-0166-949400 or +39-338-3267009,
e-mail: rifugioteodulo@libero.it, www.caitorino.it/teodulo.htm, open from mid June to mid September, CAI.
For further information: See the last tab, Tourist info.
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Rif. Teodulo – Trockener Steg – Furgg – Hotel Schwarzsee
– Zermatt |
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 (2,939 m) continue towards Furgg (2,432 m) and then walk up again towards Hotel Schwarzsee (2,538 m). Follow a very well waymarked path and you reach the world
famous village for alpinists: Zermatt (1,616 m). |
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Accommodation
Gandegghütte (3,029 m): Tel. +41-(0)796-078868, www.holidaynet.ch/gandegghuette, open from the beginning of July to the end of September, private.
Berghotel Schwarzsee (2,583 m): Tel. +41-(0)27-9672263, e-mail: schewarzsee@zermatt.ch, 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
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Useful information |
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Tourist information
Zermatt Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-9668100 e-mail info@zermatt.ch Wallis Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-3273570 e-mail: info@valais.ch, www.valais.ch
Saas Fee Tourismus: Tel. +41-(0)27-9581858 http://www.saas-fee.ch/
Tourismusverein Grächen: Tel. +41-(0)27-9556060 e-mail: info@matterhorn-valley.ch www.matterhornvalley.ch
Consorzio Turistico Gressoney Monterosa: Tel. +39-0125-356670 e-mail: info@gressoneymonterosa.it www.gressoneymonterosa.it
Consorzio Turistico Val d’Ayas: Tel. +39-0125-307392 e-mail info@valdayas-monterosa.com www.valdayas-monterosa.it
IAT Uffi cio Informazioni Turistiche di Macugnaga: Tel.+39-0324-65119 e-mail: iat@comune.macugnaga.vb.it
Uffi cio Turistico Alagna Valsesia: Tel. +39-0163-922988 e-mail: infoalagna@atlvalsesiavercelli.it
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Alpine Guides
Alpin-Center Zermatt: Tel. +41-(0)27-9662460 www.zermatt.ch/alpincenter
Guide Alpine Alagna: Tel. +39-0163-91310 e-mail info@guidealagna.com, http://www.guidealagna.com/
Guide Alpine Macugnaga: Tel. +39-347-0900129 www.guidealpinemacugnaga.it
Guide Alpine di Gressoney: Tel. +39-0125-36628 e-mail:info@guidemonterosa.info www.guidemonterosa.info
Guide Alpine Champoluc-Ayas: Tel. +39-346-2441219 e-mail info@guidechampoluc.com www.guidechampoluc.com
Società delle Guide del Cervino: Tel. +39-0166-948169, e-mail info@guidedelcervino.com www.guidedelcervino.com
Società delle Guide della Valpelline: Tel. +39-0165-78559 (Etroubles) or +39-0165-713502 (Valpelline) e-mail: info@guidevalpelline.com www.guidevalpelline.com
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Public Transport
Rhaetic Railway: Tel. +41-(0)81-2884340, www.rhb.ch
Weather
Switzerland: +41-(0)900-162 333 www.meteoschweiz.admin.ch
Italy:
http://www.meteo.it
www.meteoitalia.it
www.meteoam.it
Aosta:
www.meteoaosta.it
Aosta Valley: http://www.regione.vda.it/territorio/
centrofunzionale/meteo/default_i.asp
Alpine Clubs
Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), Sezione di Aosta: Tel. +39-0165-40194,
http://aosta.caivda.it/sito/default.htm
Swiss Alpine Club (SAC-CAS): Tel. +41-(0)31-3701818 e-mail: info@sac-cas.ch, www.sac-cas.ch
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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
Websites
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Read more about the resorts around the Monte Rosa tour
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Here is an excellent link on how to get there. Wherever you are going.
Michelin
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