
Trek the Tour del Monte Rosa
- Italy
- Switzerland
- 6 nights
A lesser-known epic through a trekker's paradise in the Italian and Swiss Alps, in the shadow of the Matterhorn
What's Included?
- Activities & Certified GuidesAll itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking mountain guides plus an extra guide for the glacier crossing
- Mountain hut & Pension6 nights in mountain refuges
- Meals6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
- EquipmentSafety gear for crossing the Monte Rosa glacier. Pillows and blankets are provided in the refuges.
- Small Like-minded GroupsSolo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From…excluding flights
Highlights
Explore an overlooked and quieter corner of the Alps, a hiker's dream of steep, forested valleys, high meadows, snow-capped peaks and giant glaciers
Traverse the Monte Rosa massif beneath some of Europe's highest peaks: The Dom (4545m), Weisshorn (4596m) and iconic Matterhorn (4478m)
Navigate the incredible Monte Rosa glacier, crunching through glacial moraine as you slowly descend towards the Swiss Alpine resort of Zermatt
Bunk down and fuel up at remote, high altitude refuges known for dishing up the best pasta in the Alps
Itinerary
Day 1
Rendezvous in the Swiss Alps
PensionMulti shareDinner includedShow Day 1 detailHide detail
Touch down in Geneva and hop on the scenic train journey along the shores of Lake Geneva to the Alps. Get off at Visp, where your guide will be waiting to escort the group onto the local bus to the Alpine village of Saas Grund. Grab dinner with your guide and fellow adventurers before charging your batteries with a good night's sleep in your cosy pension accommodation. Your trek starts in the morning.
Day 2
Saas Grund to Macugnaga
Hiking7-8hrs · 15km · 730m up · 1600m downMountain hutMixed dormAll meals includedShow Day 2 detailHide detail
Wake up to glorious Alpine views, tuck into breakfast and hop on a 10-minute bus ride to the trailhead at Mattmark. The Tour del Monte Rosa (TMR for short) kicks off with a traverse around the lake at Mattmark before ascending to the Monte Moro Pass to cross the border into Italy. From the pass you'll be greeted by the awesome sight of Monte Rosa – all 4,634 metres of her. Trek on past the Rifugio Oberto Maroli and take an initially steep descent through boulder fields and granite slabs, followed by a long steady downhill through a forest which leads the way to the village of Macugnaga where your first refuge awaits. You've earned your plate of pasta after a full-on first day – the Italian refuges have a reputation for offering the best spaghetti in the Alps.
*If you'd prefer a lighter first day of trekking to save your legs for the challenges to come, you can cut out a large chunk of the descent today by taking a cable car at Monte Moro pass down to Macugnaga.
Day 3
Macugnaga to Alagna Valsesia
Hiking8hrs · 22km · 1500m up · 1325m downMountain hutMixed dormAll meals includedShow Day 3 detailHide detail
You have 22 kilometers to cover today, which is the longest stretch on the TMR to get from one refuge to the next. Begin your journey by heading straight from Macugnaga to the Turlo pass (2738m) via the Quarazza Valley. This is one of the longest and toughest climbs on the TMR. The start is relatively easy, following a river through a series of beautiful basins before embarking on the arduous ascent to Colle del Turlo. You'll need to navigate boulders and glaciated slabs along the way. As you ascend, Monte Rosa itself disappears from view, replaced by the imposing Weissmies mountain, which overlooks the Saas Valley. After reaching the col, there's another long descent awaiting you, leading to your overnight stop at Rifugio Pastore. This refuge is situated in a stunning spot nestled within Alpine grassland beneath the peaks of Punta Gnifetti, Parrotspitze, and Piramide Vincent in the Monte Rosa massif.
Day 4
Alagna Valsesia to Gressoney Valley
Hiking7.5hrs · 15km · 1800m up · 605m downMountain hutMixed dormAll meals includedShow Day 4 detailHide detail
Wake up, watch the sun hit the high peaks of the range while you tuck into breakfast at the refuge, and then hop on a quick bus ride to Alagna. The trek takes on a different feel today with an ascent through the enchanting hamlets and agricultural communities of the Otro Valley, finally reaching the mountain pass of Passo Foric at 2432m. The trail winds further up, culminating at today's pinnacle, the awe-inspiring Col d'Olen, soaring to an impressive 2881m. It's taken a whopping 1800m of elevation gain to get here. After a short descent, you’ll reach the cosy Rifugio Gabiet for tonight's well-earned dinner and bed.
Day 5
Gressoney to the Ayas Valley
Hiking6.5hrs · 16km · 970m up · 1205m downMountain hutMixed dormAll meals includedShow Day 5 detailHide detail
After yesterday's big uphill push, you'll kick off today with a gentle start on a delightful trail that winds through lush forests and picturesque meadows, gradually leading to the charming village of Gressoney Stafal. Grab a welcome break here before hitting the next ascent, navigating a switchback path that guides you to the pristine Passo de Rothorn at 2689m. Descending from the pass, you’ll traverse a boulder-strewn section before crossing a serene Alpine meadow. The trail winds up at the whimsical hamlet of Resy, perched high above the Ayas Valley, where you’ll settle into your characterful refuge for the night.
Day 6
Ayas Valley to the Monte Rosa glacier
Hiking7.5hrs · 18km · 1550m up · 300m downMountain hutMixed dormAll meals includedShow Day 6 detailHide detail
Kick off with a quick downhill stretch towards Alpe Varda and Alpe Mase - a true highlight of the journey. Up ahead, the massive Breithorn glacier dominates the skyline as you ascend towards the Cime Bianche pass at 2982m, offering views of the vibrant waters of Gran Lago. Prepare to feast your eyes on the Matterhorn, perhaps the world's most recognisable peak. Follow the trail beneath the western slopes of the Kleine Matterhorn before embarking on a steep, demanding climb over glacial terrain to the TMR's highest point, the Colle del Teodulo at 3317m. You'll finally arrive at the high-altitude Teodulo refuge, perched precariously on a rocky outcrop amidst glaciers. Rest up for the big culmination tomorrow.
Day 7
Monte Rosa glacier to Zermatt
Hiking5-6hrs · 16km · 150m up · 1800m downBreakfast and lunch includedShow Day 7 detailHide detail
The trek reaches a crescendo on the final day as you tackle the glacier crossing necessary to reach the finish line in Zermatt. An additional IFMGA certified guide will skilfully lead the group onto the Theodul glacier, keeping you safe by roping you and your fellow adventurers together in groups of four. You won't need any specialised gear; regular hiking boots and trekking poles will suffice. The views are nothing short of spectacular, with perfect vistas of the Matterhorn, Alphubel, Dom, Obergabelhorn and Weisshorn. Upon reaching the far side of the glacier at Gandegg, you'll bid adieu to the ice and continue on, meandering through glacial moraine as you make your way downhill towards Zermatt. The trip ends here, although the famous Alpine resort is the perfect place to extend your stay or toast your efforts with a celebratory beer. Alternatively, if you have a late flight booked, you can head to the station to grab the four-hour train ride to Geneva Airport.
Getting There
- Nearest airport
- Geneva Cointrin International Airport (GVA)
- Pick up
- Visp Train Station, Switzerland
17:00 on Day 1 - Drop off
- Zermatt
16:00 on Day 7
What is and isn't Included?
What's included
Six days of guided hiking on the Tour del Monte Rosa:
- Saas Grund to Macugnaga
- Macugnaga to Alagna Valsesia
- Alagna Valsesia to Gressoney Valley
- Gressoney to the Ayas Valley
- Ayas Valley to the Monte Rosa glacier
- Monte Rosa glacier to Zermatt, including a roped traverse of the Theodul glacier
- Expert, local, English-speaking mountain guide
- Plus an extra IFMGA-certified guide for the roped glacier crossing
- 6 nights in village pensions and mountain refuges
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
- 6 continental breakfasts
- 6 healthy packed lunches
- 6 hearty hot dinners
- Safety gear for crossing the Monte Rosa glacier
- Pillows and blankets are provided in the refuges
What's not included
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
This trip begins in Visp and ends in the car-free town of Zermatt, so you'll need to make your own way there from the airport – see the 'Getting There' section for more information.
Tips are not included in the trip cost; these are entirely at your discretion. If you would like to tip, the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travellers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (opens in new tab) (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield (opens in new tab), both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Where You'll Stay
Private room upgrades are not available on this trip due to the nature of the accommodation.

Refuges and Pensions on the route
What You'll Eat
Breakfasts in the mountain huts are usually continental - think juices, teas, coffee, yoghurts, bread and jams. Dinners are varied and hearty - expect soups, a main course with meat, vegetables and a side dish (rice, polenta, pasta), cheeseboards and…
Optional Extras
Upgrades
Due to the nature of the mountain refuges used on the Tour del Monte Rosa, it is not possible to have a private room at any stage of this trip.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
This Trip is Graded Level 6
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Departure dates
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Got a Group of 6 or More?
What to Pack

Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
FAQs
What makes the Tour del Monte Rosa different from other treks in the Alps?
The Tour del Monte Rosa's reputation for being challenging is well-earned due to its steep ascents, high-altitude mountain passes, mandatory glacier crossings and rugged terrain. The more challenging nature of the trek serves to keep numbers of hikers on the trail relatively low compared to other parts of the Alps.
What additionally sets this trail apart from other renowned hikes, such as the Tour du Mont Blanc and Walker's Haute Route, is the necessity to cross a glacier. Specifically, the Theodul glacier which requires a specialist guide and ropes to traverse safely.
How many guides and support crew will there be on my trip?
You'll have one trekking guide for the full trek and an additional specialist glacier guide per every four people on the Monte Rosa glacier crossing.
How much should I tip?
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and are non-compulsory on this trip. Of course, if you feel that your guides provided an exceptional experience then you are welcome to tip as much as you feel is appropriate.
What do I do about drinking water?
The tap water from the refuges in the Alps is safe to drink, so bring along a minimum of two litres carrying capacity in water bottles and/or bladders to fill up each morning before setting off. There will be opportunities to fill up from streams and rivers on the trip, though we advise you to exercise caution and bring some form of filtration if you wish to fill up from natural water sources. Have a read of our guide to the best water filters for adventurers.
Can I leave my excess luggage somewhere?
As this trip starts in Saas Grund and finishes in Zermatt, it is not possible to leave your excess luggage at the start point of the trip. There are luggage storage facilities at Geneva Airport which you can use if you are flying in and out of Geneva Airport either side of the trek.
What's Plan B in case of bad weather?
Snow is the biggest factor which can affect this trek, particularly in the earlier part of the season. If there has been any significant snowfall on the days prior, your host has plotted out deviations away from these sections in case of snowfall. If poor weather comes in (such as storms, heavy rain and poor visibility), depending on the stage of the trek your host will consider the conditions and plot an alternative route which may involve sitting out any extreme weather in one of the huts. This is an unlikely event in the summer months, but your hosts are experienced mountain guides with a lot of successful treks in this part of the world under their belt, so you are in the best of hands.
Can I book on my own?
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Who is running the trip?
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
What is the official travel advice?
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
What vaccinations do I need?
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
How are the trips priced?
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
Why are your adventures only for adults?
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
Who else will be on my trip?
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
What's the weather like?
The Tour del Monte Rosa trekking season is from June to September. Expect warm days with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) at the lower elevations. Things are a little cooler at higher elevations, especially in the early morning and late evening. Occasional rain showers or thunderstorms can occur, especially in the afternoon – the likelihood of these are stronger in August. Snow and ice are typically not a concern on the main trails during the mid/late summer season, but you might encounter some residual snow patches at high altitudes.
What's the carbon footprint for this trip?
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 135kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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