Discover the different sides of the Matterhorn with PirineoSur on a tour through valleys and high passes. The programme links Saint-Niklaus with Zermatt via Swiss and Italian stages, with glacier travel included in the itinerary.
The general level does not remove the demands of consecutive days walking with a pack. Requirements include mountain experience, good fitness and six- to ten-hour days with substantial height gain and loss. Review the specific itinerary figures and prepare with walks using similar boots and backpack.
After arriving at Saint-Niklaus, stages pass Jungu, Augstbordpass, Gruben, Meidpass, Zinal, Sorebois and Torrent passes, Arolla, Collon, Prarayer, Valcournera and Cervinia. The final walking day crosses Theodulpass towards Zermatt; day eight is for departure. Review glacier sections and passages with ropes when preparing.
Before booking, confirm the meeting, equipment and allocation of meals and accommodation. This is a staged tour: consider the whole itinerary and your preparation for repeated days of effort.
Six guide days, two nights with breakfast, five half-board nights, the two listed lifts and transfers and accident insurance are included. Travel to the meeting, Saint-Niklaus and Zermatt dinners, lunches, drinks and extras, and transport after leaving the route are excluded. Check each accommodation’s arrangements.
The tour explores different sides of the mountain through stages in Switzerland and Italy. Prepare for consecutive walking days and review the glacier sections with the team. Describe mountain experience and days carrying a pack to assess the programme. Confirming the Saint-Niklaus meeting, overnight stops and finish in Zermatt helps organise travel, luggage and meals outside the service.
This is a tour through valleys and passes, rather than an ascent of the massif’s summit.
No. Check the board basis of each night and exclusions for lunches, certain dinners, drinks and extras.
Yes. Good fitness and mountain experience are required for successive long stages with height gain and loss.
The schedule includes arrival in Saint-Niklaus and return travel on day eight. The listed services cover six guiding days and seven overnight stays; review the stage and travel distribution when booking.
Stages include Jungu, Augstbordpass, Gruben, Meidpass, Zinal, Sorebois, Torrent, Arolla, Collon, Prarayer, Valcournera and Cervinia. The final walking day crosses Theodulpass towards Zermatt.
Mountain experience, good fitness and preparation for six- to ten-hour days with a pack and elevation changes are required. The trip is offered from July to September for 4–10; review glacier sections and roped passages.
Two stays with breakfast, five on half board and the two listed lifts and transfers are included. Travel to the meeting point, Saint-Niklaus and Zermatt dinners, lunches, drinks, extras and transport after leaving the route are excluded.
This trek follows mountain trails and crosses passes rather than climbing summits. Previous mountain-walking experience and good fitness are required for stages with 800–1,300 m of ascent and descent and 6–10 hours of activity.
Prepare in the weeks before the trip with mountain walks using a similar backpack and the same footwear as on the Tour du Cervin. Aim for 800–900 m of ascent and descent. If mountain outings are not possible, aim for at least three exercise sessions a week. Read all the programme details and contact us if you are unsure about your ability.
Groups have a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 participants, accompanied by a mountain guide familiar with the route. The guide briefs the group each day and adapts the pace to the least fit participant. We have the whole day to complete each stage at a relaxed pace. An assessment outing with one of our guides is available if you would like advice on your suitability.
Day 1: Travel to St Niklaus (1,127 m) by car, train, or plane to Geneva. Arrive at Geneva airport early enough to connect with onward trains or buses. Overnight in St Niklaus; dinner independently.
Day 2: St Niklaus – Jungu (1,958 m) – Augstbordpass (2,894 m) – Gruben (1,818 m). Take the cable car to Jungu, walk through Alpine pastures towards the pass with views of the Dom and Mischabel range, then descend through meadows and larch woods into the Turtmanntal. Ascent 936 m; descent 1,076 m. Overnight in Gruben.
Day 3: Gruben – Meidpass (2,790 m) – Zinal (1,675 m). Cross Alpine pastures to the pass, descend to around 2,200 m, then traverse with a gentle climb before descending to Zinal. Ascent 971 m; descent 1,100 m. Overnight in Zinal.
Day 4: Zinal – Col de Sorebois (2,895 m) – Col de Torrent (2,919 m) – Les Haudères (1,450 m) – Arolla (2,100 m). Climb through the ski area, descend to Moiry dam, cross it and climb to Col de Torrent. Descend to Les Haudères and transfer to Arolla. Ascent 1,160 m; descent 1,460 m. Overnight in Arolla.
Day 5: Arolla – Col Collon (3,082 m) – Prarayer hut (2,010 m). Transfer to the glacier approach. After about 2 hours, put on glacier equipment on the upper Arolla Glacier and cross Col Collon into Italy. Descend via Nacamuli hut (2,828 m) to Prarayer beside Place Moulin lake. Ascent 973 m; descent 1,687 m. Overnight at Prarayer hut.
Day 6: Prarayer – Colle di Valcornera (3,066 m) – Cervinia. Climb the Valcornera valley to a demanding final section below the pass. A more complex passage with ropes leads to Perucca hut (2,910 m). Continue past lakes and waterfalls, with views of the Matterhorn, via Fenêtre de Cignana and Valtournenche, then climb to Cervinia. Ascent 980 m; descent 828 m. Overnight in Cervinia.
Day 7: Cervinia – Plan Maison (2,540 m) – Theodul Pass (3,310 m) – Trockener Steg (2,939 m) – Zermatt (1,600 m). Take the lift to Plan Maison and walk to the Swiss border at Theodul Pass, with views of the Matterhorn’s Lion and Hörnli ridges. Descend towards Zermatt beneath the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. Ascent 1,467 m; descent 838 m. Overnight in Zermatt.
Day 8: Services end after breakfast. Free time in Zermatt and travel home.
Mirando al Sur, S.L.U.
B23703622
Sede Pirineos:
C/ Antonio Beltrán, 1
22700 · Jaca (Huesca)
Sede Andalucía
C/ Juan Ramón Jiménez, 30
23160 · Los Villares (Jaén)
Agencia de viajes:
C.I.AN-237660-2
Turismo Activo Andalucía: AT/JA/00062
Turismo Activo Aragón: TA-HU-24-0015
Tel: +34 607 697 586
pirineosur.es
