From Airolo to Grimentz via the Alpine Passes Trail

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.

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

1. S

   Airolo – Capanna Corno-Gries

   16.21 mi 5,709 ft 1,844 ft

   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.

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2. 2

   Capanna Corno-Gries – Rifugio Margaroli

   10.10 mi 3,438 ft 3,901 ft

   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.

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3. 3

   Rifugio Margaroli – Binn

   12.27 mi 2,510 ft 5,059 ft

   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.

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4. 4

   Binn – Rosswald

   10.81 mi 4,357 ft 2,966 ft

   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.

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5. 5

   Rosswald – Simplon Hospiz

   11.77 mi 3,825 ft 3,261 ft

   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.

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6. 6

   Simplon Hospiz – Gspon

   14.45 mi 3,415 ft 3,793 ft

   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.

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7. 7

   Gspon – Saas Fee

   10.96 mi 2,884 ft 3,163 ft

   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.

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8. 8

   Saas Fee – Grächen

   12.63 mi 5,515 ft 6,119 ft

   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.

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9. 9

   Grächen – Gruben

   13.52 mi 6,430 ft 5,712 ft

   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.

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10. 10

    Gruben – Hotel Weisshorn

    6.62 mi 3,583 ft 1,936 ft

    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.

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11. E

    Hotel Weisshorn – Grimentz

    7.46 mi 1,473 ft 3,921 ft

    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.

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