Besides the stunning scenery and the gourmet food, another attractive aspect of this trek is that there is a good amount flexibility from day to day. Often, trekkers can opt to take a cable car or train for part of the day’s journey, creating a less-strenuous hike if needed.
Day 1: Arrival in Chamonix
The group meets in the evening in Chamonix for a gear check and a welcome dinner with your guide. Here you will review your itinerary and have any remaining questions answered.
Day 2: Chamonix to Trient
After our last french breakfast, we will leave Chamonix behind as we begin our adventure. First we will catch a quick, but scenic train ride to Mont Roc. From the station, we will begin our first hike to L’Aiguillette des Posettes and across to the Col de Balme, which is saddled on the border of France and Switzerland. This pass has impressive panoramic views of Mont Blanc. From here, we will descend into the valley village of Trient.
Day 3: Trient to Champex
This is the first of the more challenging days, though we are immediately rewarded by the ever-intensifying views of the Glacier du Trient. We climb a high pass and descent down into pasture lands, stopping in Arpette for lunch before the last small section into the resort lake village of Champex. 8.5 miles, 4500 feet elevation gain.
Throughout the trek, we hike over pasture lands and through quaint mountain villages. Jeff Ries
Day 4: Champex to Mont Fort
This is another very strenuous day, as we gain 5500 feet in 6.5 miles. Optional gondola ride shortens the hike to about 3 miles, 2000 feet elevation gain. We stay in our first alpine hut, high above Verbier with unforgetable scenery. They provide four-course meals and have hot showers. Ibex sightings likely.
Day 5: Mont Fort to Prafleuri
This is usually our longest day, climbing over three passes and through a national park with many ibex. Expect excellent wildlife viewing. There are no options for gondolas or trains, as we are in high alpine terrain all day away from villages and farms. We will stay at the lively Prafleuri. 10 miles, 3900 feet of elevation gain, 6-8 hours. We will need to carry extra water this day.
Day 6: Prafleuri to La Sage
We start the day by climbing over a pass into a beautiful valley with a gorgeous greenish-blue lake. Here you climb a unique series of ladders, which are permanently affixed to the cliff wall, to ascen over the Pas de Chevres. We are rewarded with views of the Glacier de Cheilon, and we may catch our first, distant view of the Matterhorn. We descend into the cozy, charming village of Arolla and bus to La Sage, where we stay in an elegant (possibly the best) hotel with gourmet food well presented. 10 miles, 2500 feet elevation gain, 5-6 hours.
The Moiry Glacier. Aeron Ries
Day 7: La Sage to Zinal
It will be hard to leave such a nice setting and hotel, but you won’t be disappointed. Possibly the biggest day on our schedule, we begin with a pleasant morning climb over pasture lands leads us to a high pass with great views of snow capped peaks. 4000 feet gain in 3 miles over 3 hours. Views of the Moiry Glacier are stunning from here, and we descend gently to the turquoise blue Moiry reservoir, a great place for picnic or snack before moving on. The last strech will be a climb up to Corne de Sorebois. From here we’ll catch a break when we descend via cablecar down into Zinal.
Day 8: Zinal to Gruben
This is yet another spectacular, less strenuous day, and we are treated to astonishing views of the Turtmann and Brunegg Glaciers. We will go up and over the Col de Forcletta and descend down to Gruben where we overnight at the Hotel Schwarzhorn and treated to yet another four-course meal.
Day 9: Grueben to St. Niklaus
We cross the Augstbordpass, savoring the high alpine views and then catch a lift from the hamlet of Jungen which will carry us down into St. Niklaus.
Day 10: St. Niklaus to Zermatt
Today will will take the train to Randa and walk over the huge and awe-inspiring Randa suspension bridge then walk into Zermatt from here.
Once in town we will celebrate our adventure with our last dinner together before retiring for the night.
Post Trip Ideas:
Many trekkers will add personal days on to their travel plans to explore the region on their own. Options are unlimited and gondolas and trains can eliminate much of the climbing if you wish to catch views and sights of the French or Swiss Alps. Summer skiing or hang-gliding are also options! A train ride from Zermatt can get you back to Geneva for your next adventure.
We also offer private climbing options if you would like to expand your adventure. For more information, please visit: Guided Alpine Climbing in the Swiss Alps or Guided Alpine Climbing in the French Alps/Chamonix or Mont Blanc, the Matterhorn, the Eiger.
Cost And Details
