Uitgebreide reisroute van de Internationale groepsreis Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn
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Activities

  • Walking & Trekking
  • Point-to-Point
  • Multi-Country Holidays
  • Multi-Country Walking Holidays
  • Food

    • Enjoy spectacular mountain scenery and some of the best walking in the Alps. Challenging walking amongst the highest concentration of 4,000m peaks in the Alps. Visit the exciting high alpine towns of Chamonix and Zermatt
  • 1

    Start at Les Bossons, near Chamonix

    Start at the campsite in Les Bossons. Wonderful views from the campsite of Mont Blanc and the Bossons glacier, especially at sunset. In theafternoon there is an introductory briefing by the trek crew.Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons

  • 2

    Free day in the Chamonix Valley

    This is a limbering up day and there are several good walks nearby. Alternatively, take the cable car (optional) to the Aiguille du Midi for outstanding close-up views of Mont Blanc, the Chamonix Valley and the surrounding peaks. Campsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons

  • 3

    The trail contours high in the valley before descending to Les Frasserands

    From Les Bossons (1,012m/3,320ft) we have a short bus journey to Chamonix from where we walk to Les Praz and take the cable car to La Flégère (1,860m/6,100ft). The trail today is named the 'Grand Balcon' and is on the opposite side of the valley from Mont Blanc, affording excellent views of the whole massif lying to our south. Initially we contour and then climb to reach the high point of the day, Lac Blanc (2,352m/7,715ft). The trail descends and then contours high above the valley before dropping steeply to the hamlet of Les Frasserands (1,371m/4,500ft), from where we take a scenic valley train back to our campsite. In the afternoon there is a very short section of ladders/steep steps with handrails to descend.8 hours walking. 500m/1,640ft up, 980m/3,220ft downCampsite: Camping Les Marmottes, Les Bossons

  • 4

    Cross Col de Balme to Switzerland.

    After a scenic train ride up the valley to Les Frasserands, we begin by climbing steeply to the Aiguillette de Posettes (2,201m/7,200ft), descend a little and then ascend towards the Col de Balme (2,191m/7,190ft) where we follow one of the paths across the border from France to Switzerland. Excellent views all morning of Aiguille d'Argentière and Aiguille du Tour and its glacier. After lunch we descend to the small hamlet of Trient (1,296m/4,250ft). Good views of the Trient Glacier.  7.5 hours walking. 970m/3,200ft up, 1,060m/3,466ft downCampsite: Basic camping, near Trient

  • 5

    Over Fenêtre d'Arpette to Champex

    In good weather we take the trail adjacent to the Trient Glacier to cross a high, rocky pass known as Fenêtre d'Arpette (2,665m/8,740ft) before descending steeply into the Arpette Valley (1,627m/5,340ft) and down to our campsite in Champex (1,486m/4,880ft). In poor weather we would take the lower trail, which climbs first to the Col de Forclaz (1,527m/5,010ft) from where we can look down into the Rhone valley. The Swiss town of Martigny is in sight far below, as we follow the 'Bovine route' to Champex-Lac.  9 hours walking, 1,350m/4,430ft up, 1,200m/3,950ft downCampsite: Camping Les Rocailles, Champex Lac

  • 6

    From Champex the trail leads to Verbier and on to Cabane Mont Fort

    From Champex we walk down to Sembrancher (717m/2,350ft) then travel by train and cable car to the ski resort of Verbier (1,490m/4,880ft) and then onwards to Ruinettes. (2,200m/7,260ft). Our afternoon walk starts on a broad easy trail with views of the Grand Combin and of the Mont Blanc Massif in the distance. The trail than narrows and steepens and we traverse around the southern flank of the Bec des Rosses to Col Termin (2,652m/8,750ft) before descending to Lac de Louvie and our overnight stay at the Cabane de Louvie (2,214m/7,300ft).The path today is quite committing and if the weather is poor, or there are problems with the cables cars, or snow on the path we may need to take an alternative route from Sembrancher. We travel by train and bus up valley to Fionnay (1,495m/4,880ft). From the here we ascend steeply through dramatic open hillside to reach our first mountain hut, the Cabane de Louvie (2,242m /7,400ft) on the shores of the Lac de Louvie (a very scenic spot!) from where we have great views of the Grand Combin.Mountain huts have shared dormitory style accommodation with basic toilet and washing facilities only. The support vehicle is unable to reach this hut so we need to do some light backpacking until we re-join it in two days’ time.  8 hours walking, 550m/1,800ft up, 1,180m/3,900ft downMountain hut: Cabane de Louvie

  • 7

    Cross the highest pass of the route, Col Prafleuri (2,965m). Views of Rhône Valley, Mont Blanc, the Grand Combin and the Matterhorn

    A dramatic day with two passes to cross. We start with scenic traverse around the shores of lac de Louvie before a reasonably steep accent to our first col, Col de Louvie (2,921m/9,580ft) and onwards towards the Grand Désert, a rocky section of glacial moraine. If we're lucky we may spot herds of Ibex. We pass by small tarns fed by the outflows of the glacier and ascend for our second pass the Col Prafleuri (2,987m/9,800ft) - the highest col on the route - with views of the Rosablanche and Mont Blanc de Cheilon. It is then only a short descent to the Cabane Prafleuri (2,624m/8,600ft). Again the support vehicle will be unable to reach us so we will be doing light backpacking to this remote mountain hut.8 hours walking, 1,000m/3,300ft up, 550m/1,800ft downMountain hut: Cabane Prafleuri, near Lac Dix

  • 8

    Long walking day with two passes to cross; overnight at Les Haudères.

    Our route today starts with a short climb to cross the Col de Roux (2,804m/9,200ft). We descend across large boulders to Lac Dix (2,364m/7,750ft) and walk around its shoreline before climbing again above the glacier Dix, through meadows, which during the summer are quite often filled with edelweiss, to make a steep ascent on loose scree to the Col du Reidmatten (2,919m/9,570ft), or more likely the ladders of Pas des Chèvre (2,855m/2,920ft). The ladders have been recently renovated and now provide an easier route over the ridge and consist of four sturdy near-vertical ladders divided by solid metal gantries. Technically it is not hard but it is certainly airy and not suitable for vertigo suffers. Excellent views of the Pigne d'Arolla, Mont Collon and possibly the Matterhorn in the distance. Finally, a long descent brings us to the small and charming village of Arolla (1,998m/6,550ft), from where we catch a bus to Les Haudères (1,436m/4,710ft). Here we are met by the support vehicle. 9 hours walking, 675m/2,215ft up, 1330m/4,360ft downCampsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères

  • 9

    Rest day

    A free day to relax. The twin villages of Les Haudères and Evolène lie in the most picturesque part of the Val de Hérens and there are many day walks in the area if you feel the need for a little more exercise. Alternatively the scenic town of Sion with its medieval quarter and  many cafes and restaurants is an easy bus ride away.Campsite: Camping Molignon, Les Haudères

  • 10

    Past Lac Moiry to the picture-postcard village of Grimentz

    Today we have a big climb to reach our col where we’ll be rewarded with stunning views. We climb first to Villa (1,730m/5,675ft) then on to cross the Col Torrent (2,919m/9,575ft) and enjoy vast mountain views; the Pigne d'Arolla, the Grand Combin, the Weisshorn, and make a long descent past Lac de Moiry (2,249m/7,380ft) to the woods above the picture postcard village of Grimentz (1,572m/5,150ft). 9 hours walking, 1,510m/4,950ft up, 1,290m/4,230ft downCampsite: Wild camping, Grimentz

  • 11

    Longest walking day with excellent views of the Weisshorn

    A long day that starts with a gentle walk through woods to reach the valley bottom at Mottec (1,556m/5,100ft). From here there is a short but steep climb to join the main trail at a higher level with fine views of the Matterhorn and Ober Gabelhorn. The climb continues to today's col, the Forcletta (2,874m/9,426ft) where we enter German-speaking Switzerland. We have views back to Grand Combin and possibly Mont Blanc as well. Descend, with views of the Weisshorn to the southeast, to the Turtman Valley and Gruben (1,822m/5,975ft). This is the longest walking day. As there is no campsite in the Gruben valley we stay in dormitories in a local auberge and our bags are brought up by the support vehicle.9 hours walking, 1,345m/4,420ft up, 1,035m/3,400ft downHotel: Schwarzhorn (basic hotel), Gruben

  • 12

    Join Zermatt Valley; descend to Jungu and St Niklaus, short transfer to Randa.

    We climb again to cross the Augstbord pass (2,894m/9,490ft) with good views of the Weisshorn and the 'Dom' and join the main Zermatt Valley high on its western side. We descend to cross the Emdbach and soon after get our first views of the Zermatt Valley plus the Weisshorn, Kleine Matterhorn and Taschorn. Descend to Jungu (1,955m/6,410ft) and on to St. Niklaus (1,127m/3,700ft) either by walking or by an optional cable car, from where we travel by train or taxi to our last camp at Randa (1,439m/4,720ft).  8 hours walking, 1,070m – 3,500ft up, 1,790m – 5,870ft down (less 830m – 2,710ft descent if taking optional Jungu cable car)Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa

  • 13

    Follow a high-level balcony path that contours along the valley towards Zermatt.

    For our final day of trekking we walk directly from the campsite to the village of Täsch before ascending up to the Europaweg, a wonderful contouring path with spectacular views of the Matterhorn. Rising above the treeline and into a wild rocky landscape we pass by Stellisee (a mountain lake and perfect spot to snap reflected views of the Matterhorn) and onwards to the mountain hut Fluhalp at 2,606m/8,550ft. From here we have a long decent to Zermatt passing through old mountain hamlets with more stunning photo opportunities of the Matterhorn.8 hours walking, 1,300m/4,270ft up, 1,010m/3,310ft downCampsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa

  • 14

    Optional trip to Zermatt

    From our camp near Randa it is a short train or minibus trip to Zermatt. Zermatt is an ideal place for a free day with lots of opportunities for short or long walks or one can simply relax in town. There are also many excursions such as the mountain cog railway to Gornergrat for spectacular views of the Gorner Glacier and Monte Rosa or perhaps the most spectacular the cable car ascent to Kleine Matterhorn.Campsite: Camping Attermenzen, Randa

  • 15

    End Randa

    End at the Campsite near Randa. At the end of your holiday the group departure transfer will arrive at Geneva Airport at approx. 11.00. The earliest a train could arrive is approximately 10.00 (although timings can change) and this would also mean very early start and a short taxi ride to the train station. Taxis directly to Geneva airport are very expensive. Please ensure that your return flight is late enough in the day to allow yourself time to arrive at the airport.

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