Situated on the Swiss Italian frontier, Monte Rosa is spectacular from all angles. The Tour of Monte Rosa is an adventure, challenging and very varied, taking a high route around the massif. Monte Rosa claims ten separate summits over 4000m, and in areas of true wilderness on this tour walkers will experience a sense of remoteness rarely found in the Alps.
The trek takes walkers over high passes, using ancient trails, to superb viewpoints and through fascinating alpine villages. Italy and Switzerland meet on the summit of Monte Rosa, and the contrast between these two countries, their different culture, food and languages, is what gives this trek its originality. In Italy the walk spends considerable time high above the plains, visiting tiny hamlets, including the fascinating German-speaking Walser settlement, whilst the Swiss section crosses a glacier to reach Zermatt, dominated by the Matterhorn, before taking the impressive Europaweg trail to the spectacular village of Saas Fee.
• Trek divided into ten day-stages
• Includes Saas Fee, Zermatt and the Europaweg trail
• Guide includes a glossary, and lists of tourist offices and mountain huts
• Author is a qualified Accompagnateur en Montagne (Trekking Guide)
Seasons
Summer. Route is likely to remain snowy until well into June. Lifts open early July to early September. Some hotels open only during main summer season.
Centres
Saas Fee, Zermatt, Breuil-Cervinia, Gressoney Saint Jean, Alagna, Macugnaga
Difficulty
Varied terrain, with cols of over 3000m. You need to be fit, with good balance and ability to walk on very rough ground. Glacier sections.
Must See
Glacier crossings, sunset over Monte Rosa's peaks, Swiss and Italian mountain cultures, views from the Italian side of the massif, local food specialities
