Located deep in the Zermatt valley, the Monte Rosa is named after the Italian Valdotain dialect “roese” meaning “ice”. From its summit at 4634m, run gigantic glaciers, creating an incredible landscape. High altitude valleys lead to the foot of this giant which still bear the marks of the Walser, the nomadic ancestors of the Valaisan population.
After several days trek, punctuated by high mountain passes, we head into the ice world with the ascent of thePointe Gnifetti at 4554m, a beautiful and relatively easy summit, the defining highlight of this tour.
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Ascension of Pointe Gnifetti included in the price.
The price includes:
The price does not include:
The price is all inclusive from departure to end point.
Personalised tour available
Contact us !Meet at 9:00am at the cable car parking in Stalden VS (Switzerland). Bus transfer to the Mattmark dam, in Saas Grund Valley.
SAAS GRUND - MONTE MORO PASS - MACUGNAGA
Bus transfer to the Mattmark dam. Climb to the historic mountain pass Monte Moro (2868m) along the east face of the Monte Rosa. Descend to Macugnaga under the huge south face of this giant. Night in a refuge (without luggages).
6 hour walk / Elevation: +830m -1540m
TURLO PASS - ALAGNA
Head towards the lush green valley of Alagna by the Walser Trail. Cross the mountain pass of Turlo (2783m) and descend to the Pastore refuge with its small botanical garden. Night in a refuge under the imposing ice giant.
7.5 hour walk / Elevation: +1500m -1100m
ALAGNA - REFUGE GNIFETTI
From the Pastore refuge, climb up the Vallon de Sesia and the Vallon delle Pisse to reach the Corno lake and the Bocch delle Pisse. Meeting with the high mountain guides. Transfer by gondola to the bottom of the Indren glacier. Easy crossing of the glacier to reach the Gnifetti refuge at 3610m.
Night in refuge without luggage.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +1200m -380m
POINTE GNIFETTI (4554m) – VAL DE GRESSONNEY
Early wake-up call. After getting equipped, departure with the high mountain guides for a long glacier walk, first at the foot of the Vincent Pyramid and then facing the Pointe Dufour (highest point in Switzerland at 4634m). A final, slightly steep slope leads to the summit of the Pointe Gnifetti (4554m), on which stands the Cabane Margherita, the highest refuge in Europe. Back to the Gnifetti hut and descent into the Indren valley and then by ski lift to Staffal. Return by cable car to the Sitten promontory. Night in refuge.
6 to 7 hour walk / Elevation: +950m - 1250 m
COL RHOTORN – VAL D’AYAS
Climb to the Saleroforko mountain pass (2689m) under the eye of Castor and Pollux! Descend and traverse towards Saint Jacques. Night in a refuge.
5.5 hour walk / Elevation: +520m -980m
SAINT JACQUES - VALTOURNENCHE
The itinerary continues in the footsteps of the Walsers to Valtournenche via the Nannaz pass, accompanied throughout the climb by a magnificent view of the entire Mont Rose massif. Descent to Pâquier via the wide Cheneil valley. Night in a gite.
7 hour walk / Elevation: +1170 m -1130 m
KLEIN MATTERHORN - ZERMATT
A final day around the imposing Matterhorn! After a short transfer to Breuil Cervinia, the journey to Zermatt begins with the ski lifts to the Klein Matterhorn (3883m) and then the Trockener Steg (2939m) and Schwarzsee. The hike can then be resumed in style first from the north ridge of the Matterhorn and then, dominated by its impressive north face, through the traditional villages of Biel, Zmutt and Hubel.
6 hour walk / Elevation: +280m -1300m
End point Saturday around 3:00pm in Zermatt.
The itinerary is established according to the latest information available, the possibility of unknown factors affecting this itinerary is possible including situations beyond our control which may change the route, timings etc.
Elevation: +/-500 to 1700m average per day.
Walking time: 6 to 8 hours average per day.
Type of trek: Mountain route for experienced hikers with a good fitness level.
The proposed mountaineering route is one of the glacial peaks above 4000m, with no technical difficulty other than the altitude. The first few days with pass crossings at around 3000m allow for good acclimatisation and guarantee good form for this climb.
The Pointe Gnifetti is an ideal summit to reach, and exceed, the mythical 4000m mark. It is located in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif and its ascent, which takes place in a grandiose setting, allows you to reach the fourth highest summit in Switzerland at 4554m. This race is included in the package.
GUIDING
Group from 6 to 14 people supervised by a qualified mountain leader.
Mountain guide for the ascent of Pointe Gnifetti: 1 guide for 5 people maximum.
4 nights in mountain refuges, in dormitory.
2 nights in gites, in multiple bedroom.
All accommodation offers hot showers.
For the night without your baggage at the accommodation (you will get it back the night after), here are the things to add to your backpack (about 2 kilos are enough!):
- small toilet bag
- sleeping bag liner sheet
- change of clothes (bare necessities!)
Breakfast and dinner are provided in each accommodation.
Picnics are included and are carefully prepared daily by your guide, comprising a variety of healthy salads and local products.
We do our best to accommodate special diets (gluten-free, vegetarian etc.). However, we encourage you to bring some additional products for your own picnics.
A good fitness level is highly important for this tour.
Ability to easily walk 20km (on flat trails) in a maximum of 3.5 hours. This trek requires a certain physical fitness level but presents no particular technical difficulty for experienced hikers. Good advance preparation is nevertheless necessary in order to appreciate the beauty of this high altitude domaine. Your physical preparation will enable you to enjoy your trek to the maximum.
Swiss maps: 1/5000: VISP 274, MISCHABEL 284, GRESSONEY 294
Italian maps: 1/25000 108 et109
Meet at 9am at the cable car parking in Stalden. Bus transfer to the Mattmark dam, in Saas Grund Valley.
BY TRAIN
Inbound: depart from Paris the day before at 11:56am - arrive in Stalden VS at 5:51pm.
Return : depart from Zermatt at 2:37pm arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 9:42pm.
or the day after : Zermatt at 9:13am arrive in (Paris) Gare de Lyon at 4:04pm
Times given are indicative and should be verified at a train station or at www.oui.sncf and www.cff.ch
BY CAR
Take the motorway from Geneva direction Lausanne, Martigny and Sierre then follow signs for Zermatt (swiss road tax = 47,95€ / vignetteshop.fr/vignettes-autoroutiere/suisse-2023)
Meet at the cable car in Stalden next to the train station in the village centre.
You can park in the underground car park or next to the train station. Tickets available at the train station in Stalden.
End point Saturday at 3:00pm in Zermatt.
At the end of the tour, your mountain leader can organise a group transfer (20 mins) to the departure point, at the Stalden cable car, for those who wish (10€ per person).
Stalden
Hôtel Hohlgassli: +41 (0)2 79 52 15 12
Hôtel Killerhof: +41 (0)2 79 52 13 38
Zermatt Tourist Office: +41 (0)2 79 66 81 00
If you are late please contact the agency as soon as possible: +33 (0)4 50 79 09 16 or +33 (0)6 42 49 76 07
Clothing
Other Equipment
Bring a comfortable backpack of 30 to 40 litres for your personal belongings for the day (warm clothes, waterproofs, water, plate and cutlery for your picnic, sunscreen and your identity papers) and please keep a little room to carry a picnic and snacks.
Crampons, harness, helmet and ice axe for climbing the Breithorn summit are provided. An ascension at 4000m requires warm clothing in case of deterioration in the weather (thermal leggings, warm hat, gloves, waterproof jacket and extra warm layers to add if necessary). High rising walking boots with a good rigid sole are mandatory. Poles are essential.
Your baggage will be transported daily (except Days 1 and 3) between accommodation by our logistics vehicle. You are allowed 1 soft, sports type bag with all your possessions inside, no heavier than 12kg. Your bag has to be carried everyday by the driver, where access is not always easy, please think of their backs! Baggage which is too big and too heavy won't be accepted by the drivers!
If you wish to prolong your holiday, we can safely hold another bag for you which you may leave with us at the departure point and it will be deposited at the end point with your other baggage.