henrigole

This sixth stage will take you from the Vieux Emosson hut to the Auberge de Salanfe. The start of the route follows the previous day’s path to the Emosson Dam and then on to the Col de la Gueulaz. After passing through the Gueulaz Tunnel, the path follows the lake before beginning the ascent to the Col de Barberine, from where you’ll enjoy a final bird’s-eye view of the lake. The route continues with a descent to the junction leading to the Emaney valley. You’ll need to put in another effort to reach the Col d’Emaney. A final descent will take you to Lac de Salanfe and then to the Auberge de Salanfe.

This fifth stage will take you from Finhaut to the Cabane du Vieux Emosson. From Finhaut, the route follows the small road to Giétroz to rejoin the Chemin des Cols Alpins. From Giétroz, a fairly steep climb leads to the Col de la Gueulaz. The route continues with a descent to the Emosson Dam, which offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Mont Blanc massif. The stage ends at Vieux Emosson, following a geological trail in the footsteps of the dinosaurs.

This fourth stage will take you from Trient to the village of Finhaut. The route begins with a challenging climb to the Pas des Moutons, which offers a view of the Trient Glacier. The ascent continues to the Alpe de Catogne, from where the Emosson Dam is clearly visible. A long descent leads to Le Chatelard. As there is no accommodation in Le Chatelard or at the Emosson Dam, the final section of the route leaves the Chemin des Cols Alpin to reach the village of Finhaut.

This third section of the Chemin des cols Alpins offers magnificent panoramic views of the peaks of the Valais and French Alps. You’ll enjoy numerous panoramic viewpoints over the Combin Massif, the Mont Blanc Massif, Mont Ruan and the Dents du Midi Massif. You’ll stop off at several lakes: Lake Champex, Lake Emosson, Lake Taney and, finally, Lake Geneva.

This eleventh stage will take you from Taney to Saint Gingolph. The route begins in the Loz valley at the foot of Mont Gardy and Les Jumelles, before climbing the final two passes, Lovenex and La Croix. The route continues along the River Morge, following the border with France. At Novel, the path turns towards Mont Cornin, passing through La Frîtaz and winding down towards Lake Geneva at Saint Gingolph.

This tenth stage will take you from Torgon to Lake Taney. The route begins with a fairly steep climb to La Caux, then becomes more pleasant as it reaches Le Planellet. Les Dents once again offer magnificent views. The route continues with a descent towards the Col de Blancsex, down to the Plan de l’Ortie. The path climbs back up towards La Charmille with a few tricky sections, but these are secured by chains. A final climb leads to the Col de Taney before reaching the lovely Lac de Taney.

This ninth stage will take you from Morgins to Torgon. The start of the route climbs towards the Col des Portes du Culet, which offers a magnificent view of the Dents du Midi. The route continues towards Portes D’Onne and then on to the Tour de Don, where you can enjoy views of the Mont Blanc massif and Lake Geneva. A fairly steep ridge then leads to the Col de la Reculaz. Alpine pastures and forests alternate during the descent towards Torgon. At Les Fignards, you’ll cross a 150-metre-long footbridge , rising to a height of 28 metres above the Avançon torrent.

This eighth stage will take you from La Barmaz to the village of Morgins. The start of the route follows a ridge to the Col de Cou, which marks the border with France. After a descent into the Val d’Illiez, the route alternates between footpaths and tracks until it reaches the Col des Portes du Soleil. The route continues along the Vièze de Morgins to the village of Morgins

This seventh stage will take you from the Auberge de Salanfe to La Cantine de la Barmaz. The route begins with the ascent of the Col de Susanfe, which offers magnificent views of the Dents du Midi. A pleasant descent leads to the Cabane de Susanfe, which is the perfect spot for a break. The descent continues to the Pas d’Encel, a fairly steep section secured by chains and cables. The final stretch of the route passes by the Bonavau refuge before a final short climb and then the descent into the Barme valley. Please note that for the ascent to the Col de Susanfe between the points (3) and (4), a diversion via the Plan du Château is in place for an indefinite period.

This third stage will take you from Champex-Lac to Trient. The start of the route passes through a beautiful forest before beginning to climb from Plan d’en Haut. The ascent becomes steeper after passing Durnand de la Jure, leading to Alpe de Bovine and then on to Col de Portalo or Porte à l’Ô. A good path descends towards Col de la Forclaz, then on to the village of Trient This stage is also part of the TMB ‘Tour du Mont Blanc’.

This second stage will take you from La Fouly to Champex-Lac. The route follows the Val Ferret, passing through mountain pastures and forests. It passes through the small villages of Praz-de-Fort and Issert, situated on the Dranse de Ferret. After Issert, the route leaves the Dranse de Ferret, and the path climbs towards the beautiful village of Champex on the shores of its lake.

This first stage will take you from the Grand Saint Bernard Pass to the village of La Fouly. Back in Switzerland, the route passes by the famous Hospice and then follows a fairly steep path up to the Pas des Chevaux. You’ll be able to admire the Combin massif. After a descent of around 400 metres, there is another climb up to the Col de Bastillon. This is the ideal spot to take a break and enjoy the panoramic views of Mont Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses. The route continues downhill, passing by Lac de Fenêtre, then Plan de la Chaux, and finally following the Dranse de Ferret to La Fouly.

This tenth stage will take you from Bourg-Saint-Pierre to the Grand Saint Bernard Pass. The route begins by following the Dranse d’Entremont to Lac des Toules. It continues along a well-maintained path through unspoilt countryside until you reach the pass. After passing the Hospice, the very touristy road that runs alongside Lac du Grand-Saint-Bernard will take you to the Hôtel Italia, situated in Italy.

This second section of the Alpine Passes Trail offers magnificent panoramic views of the peaks of the Valais Alps. You’ll enjoy numerous vantage points overlooking glaciers and peaks such as Mont Colomb, La Dent Blanche, the Combin Massif and the Mont Blanc massif.

This first section of the Alpine Passes Trail offers magnificent panoramic views of the peaks of the Ticino and Valais Alps. You’ll enjoy numerous vantage points overlooking peaks such as the Dom and the Mischabel massif, the Weisshorn, the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche.

This ninth stage will take you from the Cabane Brunet to the village of Bourg-Saint-Pierre. The route begins with a pleasant path up to the Col de Mille. The nearby hut of the same name is the perfect place to take a break and take in the panoramic views of the Valais peaks and the Mont Blanc massif. The route continues with a long descent towards Bourg-Saint-Pierre, the last village before the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard.

This eighth stage will take you from Mauvoisin to the Brunet Hut. This challenging route begins with a fairly steep climb up to the Col des Otanes. At the pass, you’ll be rewarded with an exceptional view of the Corbassière Glacier and the Grand Combin massif. The route continues with a steep descent towards the Panossière Hut, which is the perfect spot for a break. The route continues downhill, passing over the 200-metre-long Corbassière Footbridge, which overlooks the Corbassière torrent from a height of 70 metres. The landscape changes and becomes greener as you approach the Brunet Hut.

This seventh stage will take you from the Cabane de Louvie to Mauvoisin. The route begins by skirting the lake to the north, then turns right for a winding climb up to the Col du Bec d’Aigle. After a descent of around 200 metres, you’ll need to climb the Col du Sarshlau. At this pass, a well-deserved break is in order to enjoy the superb panoramic view of the Combins massif and Lake Mauvoisin below. The route then continues with a long descent to La Vacheresse. A final climb will take you to the former construction village of the Mauvoisin Dam.

This sixth stage will take you from the Prafleuri Hut to the Louvie Hut. The route begins with the ascent to the Col de Prafleuri. The descent takes you down scree before you begin another climb up to the Col de Louvie (some sections require you to use your hands). The Col de Louvie is the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the panoramic views of the Combins. A long descent will take you to the Louvie Hut, situated at the far end of the lake.

This fifth stage will take you from the Cabane des Dix to the Cabane de Prafleuri. The route begins with a steep descent to Lac des Dix. This lake is held back by the Grande Dixence dam, the highest in the world. The route then follows the lake’s shore to the junction leading to the private Ecoulaies hut and on to the Col des Roux. At the pass, the descent leads quickly to the Prafleuri Hut.

This fourth stage will take you from the village of Arolla to the Cabane des Dix. The route begins with an ascent through a forest up to the Tsijiores de Nouves mountain pasture. The climb to the Remointse mountain pasture follows a winding path. The Tsijiore Nouve glacier and the Pigne d’Arolla seem very close by. The climb continues to the Col de Riedmatten (the famous pass used by the Patrouille des Glaciers). At the pass, the start of the descent is very steep but secured by chains. The route continues, skirting a lake formed by the meltwater from the Cheilon Glacier. At the Cabane des Dix/Pas du Chat junction, a final climb leads to the Cabane des Dix. To choose between thePas de Chèvres and the Col de Riedmaten, see the ‘Practical Information’ section.

This third stage will take you from Evolène to Arolla. The route begins by crossing through Evolène, passing by its imposing church. After crossing the Borgne, a fairly steep path through the forest climbs to the Mayens de la Giette, then on to the Mayens de la Cretta. You’ll need to pass the Etoile mountain pasture and cross the Maresse torrent to begin the descent towards Les Jutes. After a gentle climb towards Lac Bleu, the final stretch alternates between short ascents and descents before reaching the village of Arolla. During this stage, you’ll enjoy views of Mont Collon (3,637 metres) and the Pigne Arolla (3,790 metres).

This second stage will take you from the Cabane des Becs de Bosson to Evolène. This route is almost entirely downhill. At the start, you’ll need to head down to the Pas de la Lona, then turn due west towards the hamlet of l’A Vieille. The route then crosses mountain pastures and forests to reach the Mayen de Volovron. The final part of the walk is mainly along stony tracks as far as Evolène.

This first stage will take you from Grimentz to the Becs de Bossons mountain hut. The route begins with the climb to Bendolla via a winding path. The ascent continues towards the Pointe de la Lona, which you go round to reach the area above Lake Lona. The climb continues as you make your way to the Pas de la Lona. The final, fairly steep climb will take you to the foot of the Becs de Bosson for a night’s stay at almost 3,000 metres.

This eleventh and final stage will take you from the Hôtel Weisshorn to Grimentz. The route partly follows that of the SIerre-Zinal trail. It passes beneath the Pointes and the Bec de Nava. From this scenic trail, you can see the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn, the Matterhorn and the Dent Blanche. The route continues with a long, winding descent to Ayer. After crossing the River Navisence, a final gentle climb will take you to Grimentz.

This tenth stage will take you from Gruben to the Hotel Weisshorn. The route begins in the last village of the Turtmann Valley and, via a steep climb, leads to Lake Meidsee, about 100 metres below the pass. The Meid Pass marks the border between German-speaking and French-speaking Valais. The descent from the Meid Pass is pleasant. In Combavert, there is one final climb to reach the historic Hotel Weisshorn.

This ninth stage will take you from Crächen to Gruben. The route begins with a descent to the village of Sankt Niklaus. You will then need to tackle the long climb to Jungu before beginning the ascent of the Augstbord Pass (2,892 metres). From Abiheiji (Twära Ridge), the well-signposted path leads through a vast scree slope to the Augstbord Pass. The descent to Gruben is pleasant; it first follows the Grüobbach stream and then crosses the Grüobwald forest. It is possible to avoid an 850-metre climb by taking the cable car between Sankt Niklaus and Jungu.

This eighth stage will take you from Saas-Fee to Grächen. The route is quite challenging, following a high-altitude path that is partly exposed. A few tricky sections are secured with cables. From Balmiboden onwards, the terrain is difficult. To cross the Biderbach torrent, a culvert has been built to make the crossing safer. This route offers magnificent views of the Fletschhorn, the Weissmies and the Matterhorn.

This seventh stage will take you from Gspon to Saas-Fee. This scenic route follows the Saastal valley as far as Saas-Grund. Very soon, the Balfrin will be your companion for the day, followed by the peaks of the Mischabel massif, including the Dom, which rises to 4,546 metres. Once you reach Saas-Grund, the final ascent to Saas-Fee involves a climb of just 200 metres.

This first long stage will take you from Airolo to the Capanna Corno-Gries. The route passes through larch forests and offers numerous panoramic views all the way to the Corno-Gries hut. You’ll look out over the River Ticino and the villages of the Val Bedretto: Ossasco, Villa, Bedretto and Ronco.

This second stage will take you from Capanna Corno-Gries to Rifugio Margaroli. You’ll cross the Val Corno, which offers views of the Gries Glacier. The Passo del Gries marks the border between Switzerland and Italy. After a fairly steep descent, you’ll reach Lago Morasco. The route continues with the climb to the Passo di Nefelgiù, followed by the descent to the magnificent Lago Vaninno.

This third stage will take you from Rifugio Margaroli to Binn. The route begins with an ascent across scree to the Scatto Minoia Pass, then continues with a descent to the Forno mountain pasture, renowned for its cheese. You will then climb the Albrun Pass, which marks the border between Italy and Switzerland. You’ll pass the Binntalhütte before following the River Binna to Binn.

This fourth stage will take you from Binn to Rosswald. The route begins with a gentle descent towards the small lake of Ze Binn. The climb to the Saflisch Pass is quite steep as far as Grummela. At the pass, you’ll enjoy views of the Valais peaks over 4,000 metres high. The descent towards Rosswald offers magnificent views of the Rhône Valley.

This fifth stage will take you from Binn to the Simplon Hospiz. The start of the route is pleasant and straightforward. After crossing the Mischibach, you’ll enjoy views of the Mischabel massif. You’ll need to navigate a few exposed sections – though these are well secured – to reach the Bortelhütte. The walk continues downhill until you cross the Furgguböümbach. From Bärufalla, a final climb takes you up to the Simplon Pass via Schallbett.

This sixth stage will take you from the Hospice du Simplon to Gspon. The route begins with a crossing of the Bistine Pass. The scenic path winds its way round the Gamsa valley to Lake Fulmoos. The route continues along the opposite bank to the Gebidum Pass. The path then follows a gentle slope down to Saldoti. A steeper descent through the forest leads to Gspon.

This seventh stage will take you from Seelisberg (UR) to Flüelen (UR). The route passes through the village of Seelisberg to Oberdorf, then climbs up to the Marienhöhe. The highlight of the day is near Beroldingen Castle. The descent towards the lake is quite steep. A final section, partly cobbled and featuring around 900 steps, leads to Bauen. The route then follows the lake’s shore, passing through the Harderband Tunnel , where light installations bring Swiss history to life. Once you reach the southern end of the lake, you’ll cross the Reuss, the main river feeding into Lake Lucerne

This sixth stage will take you from Beckenried (NW) to Seelisberg (UR). The route follows the road along the lake to Risleten. The path continues with a fairly steep climb through the Risletenschlucht gorge, where the Choltalbach rushes down to the lake, creating spectacular waterfalls. The route then crosses the Stützberg and passes through Volligen. The final stretch to Seelisberg involves one last climb across meadows.

Lake Lucerne borders four historic cantons of Central Switzerland. The tour around the lake therefore passes through the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, Lucerne and the former canton of Unterwalden (now divided into two half-cantons: Nidwalden and Obwalden). The route takes you through the heart of Switzerland’s cradle. In 1291, representatives of the three founding cantons (Uri, Schwyz and Unterwald) gathered to take the oath of alliance that marked the birth of the Swiss Confederation. In 1332, the canton of Lucerne entered into a perpetual alliance with the three original cantons.

This fifth stage will take you from Bürgenstock (NW) to Beckenried (NW). The route follows the north face of the Bürgenstock cliff to Sankt Jost Church before descending towards the lake at Ennetbürgen. The rest of the route runs alongside the lake, passing through Buochs, and ends in Beckenried.

This fourth stage will take you from Alpnachstad (OW) to Bürgenstock (NW). The start of the stage passes through the meadows of the Alpnachstader Ried before descending to Stansstad via the Rotzlochschlucht gorge. After a visit to the town of Stansstad, taking in the Schnitzturm, the path runs alongside the lake to Harissen Bay. From there, the steep climb to the former resort of Fürigen begins. The gradient eases off towards Ober Schilt before the ascent to Bürgenstock begins.

This third stage will take you from Lucerne (LU) to Alpnachstad (OW). After crossing the Seebrücke, you’ll pass the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre (KKL). The route continues along the lake before branching off towards the hills above Horw. The path descends back towards the lake at Rank Winkel before tackling the climb up the Rengg Pass at the foot of Mount Pilatus. The route ends in Alpnachstad, following the shore of Lake Alpnach.

This second stage will take you from Küssnacht am Rigi (SZ) to Lucerne (LU). The route passes through the Wagenmoos nature reserves before descending towards the lake at Meggen. At Meggenhorn, notable for its castle, the path descends to the shores of Lake Lucerne, reaching the magnificent city of Lucerne

This first stage will take you from Vitznau (LU) to Küssnacht am Rigi (SZ). The start of the route is a long climb up numerous steps and ladders to Oberwilen. The route passes above Weggis and gradually descends towards the Hertenstein peak before turning towards Lake Küssnacht.

A stunning alpine hike taking you to the two most beautiful viewpoints over the Aletsch Glacier. In the evening, you’ll enjoy the tranquillity of these two villages, which also offer superb views of the Valais’ 4,000-metre peaks: the Dom, the Matterhorn and the Weisshorn

This magnificent Four Springs Trail (Vier Quellen Weg) will take you to the headwaters of the Rhine, the Reuss, the Ticino and the Rhône. You’ll pass through the cantons of Uri, Graubünden, Ticino and Valais, crossing six major mountain passes: the Maighels Pass, the Sella Pass, the Gotthard Pass, the Lucendro Pass, the Nufenen Pass and the Furka Pass.

This fifth stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from Obergesteln to the source of the Rhône. This magnificent route will have the Rhône as your constant companion. Right from the start, it will be by your side; you’ll follow it upstream to its source via the Furka Pass, then descend towards the historic Hotel Belvédère at the foot of the glacier. As with the other sources, you’ll find an engraved marker indicating the Rhône.

A superb alpine hike taking you from the village of Fiescheralp to the summit of the Eggishorn. You’ll go through the Tälli Tunnel and walk along the north face of the Tälligrat. At the summit of the Eggishorn, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the Aletsch Glacier. As the route takes you through a tunnel beneath the Tälligrat rather than climbing to the summit and then descending, the elevation gain is overestimated: allow for around 250 m less for the actual elevation gain, both ways.

A very beautiful alpine hike that will take you from the village of Bettmeralp to the Bettmerhorn viewpoint. You’ll enjoy a magnificent view of the Aletsch Glacier. The rest of the route, which is downhill, will take you to Fiescheralp.

This fourth stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from Cappana Piansecco to Obergesteln. During the day, you’ll discover the source of the Ticino (Tessin). An engraved marker indicates this source. You’ll cross the Nufenen Pass, which will take you to Obergesteln, a charming little village on the banks of the Rhône.

This third stage of the Vier Quellen Weg will take you from the Hospice da Saint Gothard to Capanna Piansecco. During the day, you’ll walk alongside the stunning Lake Lucendro. As you approach the Col de Lucendro, you’ll discover one of the sources of the Reuss (Gothardreuss). The final stretch of the route leading to Capanna Piansecco overlooks the Ticino.