Tour of the Matterhorn - Walking Holiday

Day 1: Arrive in St. Niklaus

The group will rendezvous at the group hotel in St. Niklaus. Here, you will meet your guide and be made to feel at home. In the evening, we will have an informal chat about the week ahead. There will also be a chance for the guide to check your clothing and equipment. KE Land Only package services begin with dinner and overnight at the hotel. Meals included: Dinner (D)

Day 2: First day of trekking, to Gruben

Before setting off, the group's trek bags, together with items of mountaineering equipment (ice-axe, crampons, harness) will be collected, in preparation for sending them around to Arolla, where we will next have access to them on the evening of Day 5. Then, to get the trip off to a flying start, we will make use of the cable car from St. Niklaus to the mountain hamlet of Jungen. Trundling above the forest in this little red box effectively cuts a couple of hours walking from our day and makes this first stage easier and more enjoyable. Our trek begins in Jungen, as we head off through larch forest on a trail which switchbacks up onto a broad shoulder which sweeps down from the Steitalhorn. Continuing upwards through a chaotic boulder field, we traverse a high valley to the Augstbordpass (2894m / 9495ft), where we can take a break and look back across the Mattertal towards the Dom (4479m / 14,695ft) and other 4000 metre peaks which encircle Saas Fee. A pleasant, wandering path then takes us from the col downwards through a rocky valley to the steeply vegetated slopes of the Turmantel Valley. After a steady descent of 1000 metres (3300 feet), we reach our overnight accommodation in the hamlet of Gruben (1818m / 5965ft). Walking time approx. 6 hours, with 926 metres (3040 feet) of ascent and 1069 metres (3500 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 3: Cross the Meidpass to Zinal

Standing outside the Schwartzhorn Hotel, a quick look round confirms the worst, no accommodating red box in sight, so today is all about walking. A slow start through the ever present larches takes us to Obstaffel, a collection of summer chalets the centrepiece of which, incongruously, is a large white teepee. From here, a straightforward meandering path climbs towards the picturesque mountain tarn of the Meidsee and onward to the Meidpass (2790m / 9154ft). Downhill from here, we cross a high valley dotted with small lakes until we reach Hotel Weisshorn a venerable institution perched high on a shelf above Val D’Anniviers. An undulating but undemanding track then heads up valley before a steep descent into Zinal. Walking time approx. 7 - 8 hours, with 1070 metres (3500 feet) of ascent and 1200 metres (3940 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 4: Across two cols to La Sage

Today’s route would be sufficient to make even a real purist quake, comprising as it does 2 high cols (Sorebois and Torrent (2916m / 9567ft)) and a considerable horizontal distance. However, to make this a pleasurable experience rather than a survival exercise we can thank the good burghers of Zinal for their foresight in installing another of the ‘red box’ cable cars. This one takes us up to the high alp of Sorebois and eliminates about 2 hours of ‘tree bashing’ and sets us well on our way towards the Col de Sorebois. A steep but quick descent from this first pass leads to the milky waters of Lac Moiry (2249m / 7379ft). Although we have the 2 high passes to cross today, underfoot conditions are relatively easy and allow for good speed. The Col de Torrent is soon in sight as we zigzag easily from the lake. Behind us the Weisshorn (4506m / 14,783ft) is still very much in evidence while to the south and west Pigne d’Arolla, Mont Blanc de Cheilon and the Grand Combin dominate the horizon. A looping path now takes us down through pleasant meadows to the small farming village that is La Sage. Walking time approx. 7 - 8 hours, with 1100 metres (3600 feet) of ascent and 1800 metres (5900 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 5: An easier days trekking to Arolla

A welcome shorter day, which bridges the gap between the first 3 days ‘warm up’ and the main course that begins tomorrow. A gentle downhill stretch leads into Les Hauderes, which is an interesting mix of working village and tourist resort. Then, it's comfortably uphill through picturesque meadow and woodland for an hour or so to La Gouille, an ancient collection of farm buildings converted into attractive gites and self catering chalets, conveniently placed at the halfway point of today’s section. Twenty minutes up and we’re at Lac Bleu a beautiful azure blue mountain tarn and a great place for lunch. All that remains now is a couple of hours of traversing path before arriving in Arolla village square for a late afternoon drink and perhaps a sneak view of the dramatic route which awaits ‘on the morrow’. Walking time approx. 4 hours, with 546 metres (1800 feet) of ascent and 215 metres (700 feet) of descent. At our accommodation in Arolla, we will have access to trek bags and be able to pick up a change of clothing and the items of mountaineering equipment which will be needed tomorrow. Those who have not brought their own ice-axe, crampons and harness will be able to hire these items in Arolla. (B,D)

Day 6: Cross the Col Collon into Italy

Today, the group will be joined by a IFMGA Mountain Guide for the crossing of the Col Collon. We will spend much of today on a glacier, albeit a relatively gentle one. Also, we are in the high mountains now and there is a certain ‘feel’ that goes with the territory. Add in the highest pass so far, the Col Collon (3082m / 10,112ft), together with a few sections of delicate and exposed ground, protected by cables where appropriate. This is a recipe for a superlative high mountain day. Heading south from Arolla above a tumbling mountain stream, we find ourselves trekking beside the Arolla Glacier and, gaining height, we are soon obliged to take to the glacier itself. The glacier provides quite easy walking conditions on moraine at first and then clean, low-angle snow and ice. Under normal conditions no mountaineering equipment is required but if the guide deems this to be necessary it is possible to hire this equipment for the day in Arolla. Crossing the Col Collon into Italy, we are soon off the snow. Dropping down through a steep sided valley, we have views down to Place Moulin Lake, beside which we find our overnight accommodation at the Prarayer Refuge. Walking time approx. 7 - 8 hours, with 1100 metres (3600 feet) of ascent and descent. (B,D)

Day 7: Over the Valcournera Col to Breuil

If you thought yesterday's stage was unbeatable then think again, as today is arguably the highlight of the entire tour – wild and technically interesting. After traversing another beautiful larch woodland, we climb up to the head of the valley of Valcournera, where the route continues via exposed ground, assisted by ladder and cable. The upper section is often snow covered and care is required. Eventually we reach the Col de Valcournera (3060m / 10,039ft) and begin a descent towards a pair of mountain tarns known as Dragon Lake. The thrills aren’t over yet, as we negotiate, wet snow, scree, slippery slabs, spectacular waterfalls and river crossings on our way down to the valley. After all the excitement, the day finishes with a leisurely bus ride from Perreres to the ski resort of Breuil / Cervinia, our overnight stop. The spectacular south face of the Matterhorn dominates this valley. Walking time approx. 7 - 8 hours, with 1200 metres (3940 feet) of ascent and 1450 metres (4760 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 8: Cross the Col Theodule to Zermatt

Another long day more in a physical slog sense than in an adrenaline-fuelled technical way. An undulating climb over easy terrain gets us to the Col Theodule which, at 3317 metres (10,883 feet), is the highest point of the trek. At the pass, the scene is dominated by the Matterhorn to the north-east and by the white mass of the Breithorn (4164m / 13,661ft) to the west, directly ahead of us. Below lies the Theodule Glacier and after a welcome drink at the Theodule Refuge we meet our IFMGA Mountain Guide who is recruited for the afternoon only to accompany us on the glacial descent towards Gandegg, where we meet the path and stroll more easily down into Zermatt. Here, we exchange the peace and quiet of the high valleys for the razzmatazz of this most famous of Alpine villages. Walking time approx. 6 - 7 hours, with 800 metres (2600 feet) of ascent and 1700 metres (5570 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 9: Europaweg to the Europahutte

Two days left and by now many treks would be winding down with the end in sight. But not this one! On this spectacular penultimate day we follow the first section of the Europaweg, which is a newly established 2-day hike beneath the mighty Dom, the highest mountain entirely in Switzerland. An initial hour and a half takes us to Tufterein and the start of the Europaweg proper. A leisurely traverse to Ottovan before swinging uphill towards Springbolden. Here the path becomes more exposed as we pick our way using a series of cables and fixed ropes towards the Europahutte a spectacularly situated refuge high above the Mattertal, with the dazzling whiteness of the Weisshorn in the background. Walking time approx. 6 hours, with 500 metres (1650 feet) of ascent and 200 metres (650 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 10: A final days trekking to St Niklaus

As our final day gets underway, we realise that this path just gets better. Two river crossings, exposed sections of trail and intimidating cliffs are all part of the mix en route to St Niklaus. As the traverse ends appropriately at the imposing statue of the aforementioned we have one last descent to negotiate to the chocolate box village of Grachen. Here, we will use the post but to take us down to our accommodation in St Niklaus. Walking time approx. 6 hours, with 500 metres (1650 feet) of ascent and 650 metres (2130 feet) of descent. (B,D)

Day 11: Services end with breakfast

KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at the hotel. (B)