Randa walks

After passing through Swiss stone pine forests, this circular hike leads to an impressive record-breaker: the Charles Kuonen Footbridge, the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world.

A new stage on the balcony at the foot of the great peaks separating the valleys of Zermatt and Saas Fee.

Due to the closure of the large Himalayan footbridge over the Grabengufer scree, it is necessary to take the emergency path down to Tasch and then undertake a remarkable climb to the alpine hamlet of Täschalp, where the Europaweghütte lodge is located.

Far from the hustle and bustle of Zermatt and away from the tourists, this flat walk allows you to discover the village and its recreational lake. Numerous granaries can be seen along this loop

Due to the closure of the Europaweg trail between Täschalp and Zermatt, we had to modify the original route. Return to Täsch via another trail and, given the long distance to cover, take the shuttle to Zermatt. Short break in this unique town at the foot of the Matterhorn, cable car to Trockener Steg and then walk to the Théodule refuge.

After a winding toll road, park at Täschalp. Then, continue climbing to the Täschhütte refuge located at the top of a rocky outcrop. Return via a slightly different route, after enjoying a delicious homemade soup at the refuge.

After an easy climb to reach part of the Zermatt ski slopes, the route continues along an ascending-descending balcony path leading to the famous Europahutte mountain hut. Please note: the Himalayan footbridge before Europahutte is currently out of service. You will need to descend into the Randa valley via the second blue trail marked on the map before climbing back up to the hut (allow approximately 2 additional hours).

A variation on the Five Lakes Circuit, this route takes you along a vertiginous ridge offering spectacular views of the Findelgletscher glacier, the Schwarzberghorn (3,610 m) and the Cima di Jazzi (3,793 m). The lakes are all different and offer breathtaking views of the Matterhorn.

In breathtaking surroundings, you will follow a route leading to five lakes below the Matterhorn (Stellisee, Grindjisee, Grünsee, Mosjesee and Leisee). In fine weather during the summer, you can swim in the Grünsee and Leisee lakes.

This fourteenth and final stage is the longest, but does not present any difficulties. The route from Sankt Niklaus to Zermatt is obvious. It follows the Matter Vispa, the river that flows down from Zermatt, and the rack railway line, which terminates in Zermatt. All the ingredients for a picture-postcard Swiss scene are there: the Matterhorn, glaciers, the torrent, churches with bulbous steeples, the little rack railway and the magnificent car-free village of Zermatt.

A beautiful mountain stage with a pass bearing the sweet name of Augstbordpass.

A long balcony stage allowing you to climb up the Saas Fée valley, dominating it by about 500m and sometimes more. A spectacular route passing from one valley floor to another, with the special feature of being able to see the next change in valley floor in the distance.

Grachen, an important village, dominates the Zermatt valley, which you will be flying over all day. After a gentle climb to Saint-Nicolas on its pedestal, you just need to pass from scree to scree to reach the welcome Refuge d'Europahutte after a long traverse.

And here is the last stage of this route, and what a stage it is! A pleasant climb to reach Hannigalp and find the famous balcony trail that overlooks the valley leading to Saas Fee.

The Val d'Anniviers ends at the Zinal Glacier and the Moiry Glacier, separated by the Pigne de la Lé and the Garda Bordon. The route of this fourth stage will take you to the Cabane de Moiry, very close to the glacier of the same name. To avoid the long climb to Sorebois, take the cable car to the Weisshorn area. You will switch to the Moiry side and overlook this magnificent lake at an average altitude of 2,500 metres. Upon arrival at the Cabane de Moiry, you will be richly rewarded.

This is a long stage passing through two mountain passes, but it is shortened by the cable car connection from Zinal and the bus transfer between Villa Evolène and Arolla. Please note: taking into account the cable car transport, the positive elevation gain is not 2,156 metres as indicated, but only 1,380 metres.

You will return to Almageller Alp via the Almagellerhorn adventure trail, which is marked with ladders, steps and a suspension bridge. The trail returns to the Saas Valley and remains at almost the same altitude until Kreuzboden. From this balcony, you can admire the Mischabel massif and the resort of Saas Fee. Overlooking the Saastal and at the foot of the Fletschorn, you will walk through old pastures. You will pass through several Walser hamlets before arriving in Gspon.

Balcony stage above the Saastal. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

Another high-altitude stage with a stop in Saint-Luc, then transfer to Zinal by post bus.

Today's stage is divided into three parts: on foot from Gruben to Jungu, by cable car from Jungu to Saint-Niklaus, and by bus from Saint-Niklaus to Grachen.

This thirteenth stage takes place in the high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. The trail is shared with the Apenpässe-Weg, marked with green vignettes No. 6. From the hotel, the trail climbs towards the Augstbordpass, crossing alpine pastures to Grüobu Oberstafel. Then the landscape becomes increasingly rocky until you reach the Augstbordpass. At the pass, you will have earned a well-deserved break. The descent continues through numerous scree slopes and rock fields, but the path is always well marked. From Abiheiji (Twraa Ridge), the route to Jungen is more pleasant and the path is often paved. From Jungen, there is still an 850-metre descent to Sankt Niklaus. (You can take the cable car to avoid this last descent.)

Today's variation on the Matterhorn Tour is to visit the north face of the giant before returning to Zermatt.

A pleasant trail through the woods will take you to Gibidumpass, a viewpoint overlooking the Rhône Valley. You will gradually descend into the Nanztal, a quiet valley at the foot of the Fletschhorn. The Bistine Pass is the last pass to cross to complete this lovely loop and admire the Fletschhorn one last time. As you descend towards the Simplon Pass, Monte Leone will catch your eye.

Final stage to finish at the Hospice (du Simplon). To round off this hike in style, you must spend a night at the Hospice du Simplon, where you will receive a warm welcome. Hike with a brief description, to be followed with the Visorando app.

This twelfth stage takes place once again in the high mountains and, depending on the season, may involve crossing snowfields. The trail is shared with the Apenpässe-Weg, marked with green stickers no. 6. From the Hotel Weisshorn, descend to the Combavert barn. The ascent to the Meidpass begins on a good path that passes close to Lake Combavert. The route is pleasant until the junction with Lake Armina. The final climb is over scree. The descent, which is steep at first, becomes gentler as you approach Meidsee. Then scree and pastures alternate until you reach the hamlets of Oberstafel and Mittelstafel. A good path then descends to Meiden/Gruben.The Meidpass is the French/German linguistic border.

After a night in this historic hotel, the third stage will take you to Zinal, a traditional village in the Val d'Anniviers. You will soon discover the Weisshorn and Bishorn mountains. At the small Bella Vouarda pass, you can admire the so-called imperial crown with five peaks over 4,000 metres high. As you descend towards Zinal, you will follow the end of the famous Sierre-Zinal race, more commonly known as the "Race of the Five 4,000s".

We started out in the Saint-Luc ski area before joining the Tour du Cervin trail to finish the stage in Gruben.