Tour du Monte Rosa

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

A circle around the Alps’ second peak.

Monte Rosa is the second-highest massif in the Alps, and the circuit around it is far less known than the Tour du Mont Blanc — and noticeably tougher. The route threads the Walser valleys, where descendants of Valais settlers still speak their own German dialect, and crosses passes above 2,500 metres, including the Monte Moro with its giant gilded Madonna. We walk the shortened classic version, using lifts where it makes sense.

• The Monte Moro pass, 2,853 m, and its gilded Madonna
• The Walser villages of Alagna and Macugnaga
• The east face of Monte Rosa, the largest wall in the Alps
• The Turlo pass, 2,868 m, on an old mule road

1. 01
   DAY 1 · 8 km, 400 m of ascent

   Zermatt, settling in and the start

   We gather in Zermatt at 1,620 m, reachable only by train. In the afternoon a warm-up walk to Sunnegga facing the Matterhorn; in the evening a briefing and pack weigh-in.

   Overnight: Hotel in Zermatt, 1,620 m
2. 02
   DAY 2 · 14 km, glacier crossing and 1,700 m of descent

   Over the Theodul pass into Italy

   The lift takes us to Trockener Steg and we cross the Theodul pass at 3,301 m, roped up and on crampons over the glacier. Down to Cervinia and on to Valtournenche.

   Overnight: Hotel in Valtournenche, 1,524 m
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 17 km, 1,300 m of ascent

   Col de Nana into the Ayas valley

   A long climb to the Col de Nana at 2,773 m among pastures of Valdostana cattle. Then down to Saint-Jacques at the head of the Ayas valley.

   Overnight: Hotel in Saint-Jacques, 1,689 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 15 km, 1,200 m of ascent

   Colle Pinter and Gressoney

   The Colle Pinter at 2,777 m opens the first Walser valley. Gressoney-la-Trinite is a village of timber houses on stone staddles with a Walser museum.

   Overnight: Hotel in Gressoney-la-Trinite, 1,637 m
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 13 km, 600 m of ascent

   Colle d’Olen to Alagna

   A lift to Punta Indren and the crossing of the Colle d’Olen at 2,881 m, facing the south wall of Monte Rosa. Down into Alagna Valsesia, the Walser capital.

   Overnight: Hotel in Alagna, 1,191 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · 22 km, 1,700 m of ascent

   The Colle del Turlo, 2,868 m

   The longest day of the circuit: 1,700 metres of ascent on a stone-laid military mule road from the 1930s. Four hours of descent bring us to Macugnaga under the east face of Monte Rosa.

   Overnight: Hotel in Macugnaga, 1,327 m
7. 07
   DAY 7 · 11 km, 700 m of ascent

   Under the east face, an easier day

   A short out-and-back to Alpe Burki and the Lago delle Locce beneath a 2,400-metre wall, the one truly Himalayan face in the Alps. The afternoon is free before the final pass.

   Overnight: Hotel in Macugnaga, 1,327 m
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 9 km, 1,500 m of ascent

   Monte Moro and the Saas valley

   A steep 1,500-metre climb to the Monte Moro pass at 2,853 m, marked by the gilded Madonna and the frontier. On the far side, a cable car down to the Mattmark lake and a bus to Saas-Fee.

   Overnight: Hotel in Saas-Fee, 1,800 m
9. 09
   DAY 9 · 12 km, 400 m of ascent

   Hohenweg and back to Zermatt

   A last stage on the high path above the Saas valley facing the Fee glacier, then down to Saas-Grund and a transfer to Zermatt. Farewell dinner beneath the Matterhorn.

   Overnight: —