Binn walks

This stage is common to both the Mineralien Tour and the Walser Tour. The Geisspfadpass marks the border between Switzerland and Italy. In Binn, cross the small bridge over the Binna, follow the road to Fäld for about 1 km, and a sign on the right indicates the path to Geisspfadsee and Mässersee. This path joins the one coming from Fäld at the Mässerchäller chalet (1,879 m). Follow the signs for Maniboden. The climb to the Geisspfadpass is then very easy. The descent to Piano della Rossa is through large scree, with passages equipped with chains and ladders, but no particular difficulty. The descent to Crampiolo is very pleasant.Markings: White-Red-White]. Via Alpina Blue D3 and D2

This hike is inspired by the Walser Tour and the Mineralien Tour. This magnificent route crosses numerous mountain pastures, where the dwellings are very varied: from wooden chalets to stone chalets. The hamlet of Salecchio Superiore consists of magnificent wooden chalets, several centuries old, all very well preserved. The chalet that houses the dormitories of the Rifugio "Zum Gora" dates back to the 17th century. In Italy, the route at the foot of the peaks bordering Switzerland, including Monte Leone, takes us through two regional parks: the Parco Naturale dell'Alpe Veglia and the Parco Naturale dell'Alpe Devero.

This stage is common to both the Walser Tour and the Valrando Mineral Tour. A few houses line this path in Freichi and then in Blatt. The Ofenhorn can be admired all the way to the Binntal Hütte. Although this is German-speaking territory, French is surprisingly the dominant language in this hut. The Binntal Hütte belongs to the Swiss Alpine Club: Delémont section.

This second stage crosses the Italian-Swiss border at the Albrunpass. You will enter the Val Formazza. The highest point of the day is at Scatta Minoïa. After the Ettore Conti bivouac, the descent to Lake Vannino is very pleasant and easy. The Rifugio Margaroli is located at the end of the lake. This relatively short stage gives you the opportunity to climb up to Lake Sruer at 2,351 m. (Absolute tranquillity guaranteed and magnificent views of Lake Vannino).

This fifth stage crosses the Devero and Veglia Natural Parks. During the day, you will cross two more passes, the Scatta d'Orogna and the Passo di Valtendra. After the second pass, the landscape becomes more harmonious. A pretty little stream and a long passage through the woods accompany the descent to Alpe de Veglia. Alpe de Veglia is a group of small hamlets located close to each other at the bottom of a very steep valley. Major peaks such as Monte Leone (3,553 m) and Bortelhorn (3,194 m) surround these peaceful hamlets.

At Crampiolo, the path to Bochetta della Valle is signposted and initially follows the left bank of Lago Dévéro. The path then continues towards the Alpi della Valle and Naga mountain pastures. Further up, a sign indicates the direction of Bocchetta della Valle. Walk along the Busin Superiore lakes and descend to the Busin Inferiore lake dam. The trail resumes below the dam (red markings) and the descent is quite steep to Alpe di Vova. From there, a balcony path leads to Salecchio Superiore via Casa Francoli. Crampiolo and Salecchio Superiore: two magnificent Walser-style villages.Markings: White-Red-White.

This third stage is very wild and not very busy. After Lago Vannino and Passo Busin, you will discover another lake, Lago Busin Inferiore. During the descent to Salecchio, you will notice the Walser habitat as you pass through hamlets such as Case Francoli and Salecchio Superiore. The dormitory at Rifugio Zum Gora dates back to the 17th century.

This fourth stage is marked by the crossing of two passes, the Passo Muretto and the Bocchetta di Scarpia. You will also cross several mountain pastures such as Alpe de Salecchio, Alpe de Pojola and Alpe de Sangiatto. In the evening, upon arrival in Crampiolo, you will have the opportunity to visit Lago Devero.

Return to Switzerland, in Ticino via the Guriner Furka. From Salecchio, take the same path as the day before to Alpi di Vova and follow the signs for Antillone and Fondovalle. Shortly after Altillone, the path joins the road, which you follow for 500 metres to the village of Fondovalle. A good path through the woods climbs towards the Guriner Furka via Alpe Stavello. Finally, a pass appears, the Passo della Foglia, but this is not the Guriner Furka. It takes another quarter of an hour to reach it via the path that branches off to the left. From Guriner Furka, you can see the chalets of Grossalp and the village of Bosco/Gurin. The descent is easy and pleasant. Bosco/Gurin is a Walser village, and German is commonly spoken there, even though it is located inTicino Markings: White-Red-White.

This sixth stage marks the return to Switzerland. You will cross the Passo dei Gialitt and pass through the last Italian mountain pastures of "Camoscella" and "Vallescia". After the Swiss mountain pastures of "Alpjerung" and "Corvetsch", you will descend towards the Simplon Pass road and rejoin the Stockeralper Weg at Alter Kaserne. This beautiful trail will take you to Gabi and then Simplon Dorf.

This third stage will take you to the Fieschergletcher, which runs parallel to the Aletschgletcher. On the Aspi Titter suspension bridge, you will be impressed by the depth of the Weisswasser river gorges. This fairly technical end of the route ends in the beautiful village of Bellwad, which has preserved its traditional chalets.

A beautiful panoramic hike linking the resorts of Bettmeralp and Fiescheralp. Along the route, there are numerous vantage points offering views of the Valais peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Weissmies, the Mischabel massif, the Monte Rosa massif, the Matterhorn and the Weisshorn. It is possible to ascend to the Eggishorn by cable car.

This pleasant winter hike partly follows the Aletschpromenade. Along this route, you will notice some beautiful old Valais houses. This route also offers several views of the Valais peaks over 4,000 metres.

A superb panoramic hike offering views of the Aletsch Glacier to the north and, to the south, of numerous peaks over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn, the Weisshorn and the Monte Rosa massif.

A superb panoramic hike, with a remarkable view of the Aletsch Glacier. On arriving at Riederfurka, you will notice Villa Cassel.

A Circular walk from Ried Morel (alternatively Morel or Riederalp) taking in an easy descent through woodland to glaciated rock scenery and the hanging bridge over the Massa which is the water flowing from the Aletsch Glacier. Then crossing peaceful alpine pastures to make the ascent up the steps to Hotel Belalp before dropping again on paths and roads to the dam at the end of Stausee Gibidum. The final section follows the scenic Massweg trail back to Reid Morel.

An out and back walk to the summit of the Bettmerhorn starting at Ried-Morel (or alternatively, Riederalp, Bettmeralp or Morel)

Classic stage of the Mineralien Tour. In Rosswald, signs point to the Saflisch Pass trail, Binn. The climb is quite steep up to the Fleshboden chairlift station. The path is always well marked and becomes more pleasant up to the Saflisch Pass. Stay on the AlpenPässe Weg to Binna Stausee. Descend to Binn via the Via Alpina Blue. The Saflischpass is the French/German language border. Markings: White-RedBwhite. AlpenPässe Weg - Via Alpina Blue D4

This second stage passes through the Rieder Furka and Villa Cassel again. The trail then follows a moraine offering several views of the glacier. The climb to the Härdernagrat offers exceptional views of both the Aletsch Glacier and the Valais peaks rising to over 4,000 metres, including the Matterhorn. After HohBalm, the Aletsch Glacier remains your faithful companion before disappearing at the Märjelenseestube.

A circular walk from a small parking area on the road named Fure (Marked Fure on Swiss map 3324T) which is above Ried-Morel. It takes a higher path above the Massaweg towards Stausee Gibidum, climbs to the Villa Cassel and then the top of the Riederhorn. The descent is through the forest. A pleasant and interesting excursion.

A remarkable tour on little-used trails where nature has remained unspoilt. The Fletschhorn is just seven metres short of reaching 4,000 metres. In this massif, it stands alongside taller peaks such as the Lagginhorn (4,010 metres) and the Weissmies (4,017 metres), but it has nevertheless given its name to this route: the Simplon Fletschhorn Trekking (SFT). This route requires excellent physical condition, as some stages are quite long and have a steep elevation gain. See practical information

Although Napoleon was responsible for the construction of the Simplon Hospice, this Alpine pass, already frequented by the Romans, has been developed many times. In the 17th century, Kaspar Stockalper developed a mule track here. From the Simplon Hospice to Simplon Dorf and Gabi, you will follow this path, known as the Stockalperweg. After Gabi, crossing the Furggu pass, you will descend into the steep-sided Zwischbergen valley.

After "From the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Simplon Pass", here is "From Simplon Pass to San Bernardino Pass". This is not the return journey from the Great Saint Bernard to Simplon after a language study trip to Italy, but rather the continuation of the route to the San Bernardino Pass in the canton of Graubünden. This hike requires a very good level of fitness, with several stages involving more than 1,300 metres of elevation gain or loss. After two days in Wallis (German-speaking Valais), the atmosphere becomes completely Italian: two days in Italy (Val Formazza), nine days in Ticino (Tessin in Italian), and two days in Grigioni (Grisons in Italian). Lake Maggiore and Locarno are also on the itinerary.

Departure from the Simplon Hospice. From the hospice, take the Stockalperweg on the right after the tunnel under the Simplon road. Follow the signs for Rothwald. At Rothwald, the trail continues on the other side of the road and leads to Wäse and then Wintrigmatte. The trail bypasses the Furggubaum torrent at Scrickboden at the foot of the Furggubaumlicke and begins to climb towards the Bortelhütte. The trail descends towards the Schiess torrent (small bridge) and climbs slightly towards Stafel, which offers a panoramic view of the Bortelhorn. A gravel road leads to the top of the village of Rosswald.Markings: White-red-white.

This final stage will take you from the village of Simplon to the Simplon Pass. Along the way, you will notice two remarkable buildings in this arid landscape: the Alte Spittel and the Barralhaus. Once you reach the Simplon Pass, you can take a short detour to see the Simplon Eagle and the imposing hospice.

On leaving Zwischbergen, a fairly steep climb under the larch trees will take you to Passo Monscera. From this pass, which marks the border between Switzerland and Italy, you can see the Fletschhorn, the Lagginhorn and the Weissmies and, further to the left, the Pizzo d'Andolla. After passing the charming Rifugio Gattascosa, you will descend to San Bernado along a pleasant path. You will continue through alpine pastures to reach Vallaro and then Il Laghetto.