Tour de Monte Rosa
Self-Guided Walking Holiday
Holiday Type:
Hut to Hut / Hotel to Hotel
When:
Mid-July to Mid-Sept
Start/Finish:
Zermatt, Switzerland
Distance:
148km (92 miles)
Length:
6 to 10 nights
Grade:
Challenging
2027 Price:
from £ 1,800.00
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Circle the breathtaking Monte Rosa mountain range
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Start in famous Zermatt, beneath the Matterhorn
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Stay in high mountain refuges and historic villages
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Experience the best of the Swiss and Italian Alps
The Tour de Monte Rosa is one of the classic, high alpine circuits. Starting in the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn, the TMR takes an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of the Monte Rosa massif, a huge mass of glaciers and mountains on the Swiss-Italian border. Trekkers can experience breathtaking views of 7 of the 10 highest peaks in Europe - each day the trek offers new views of high, glaciated peaks, as you tackle several mountain passes.
The circuit takes in famous Swiss resorts such as Zermatt and Saas-Fee, but also some off-the-beaten-track Italian villages such as Alagna and Macugnaga. No less spectacular than the famous Tour du Mont Blanc, the route sees far fewer hikers.
You’ll experience Swiss hospitality and Italian cuisine, along with plenty of history. The route follows ancient routes between isolated valleys, over which settlers, herders and traders have passed for many centuries.
One of the great features of the TMR is the accommodation flexibility - the route can be done entirely in hotels, or mostly in mountain huts, depending on which you prefer.
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Tour de Monte Rosa - Itinerary & Price Options
We offer four suggested itineraries on the Tour de Monte Rosa, which are set out below. However, we are also happy to create a tailor-made itinerary based on your preferences - please just get in touch. From solo walkers to groups of friends, we are happy to help with all requirements.
TMR-1R (in Refuges)
Length: 11 Days / 10 nights
Difficulty: Challenging
Price: from £ 1,750.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2027 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)
Basic: £ 1,750.00 per person
Basic: £ 2,180.00
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Zermatt
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Day 2
Zermatt to Gandegghütte
9.6km & 1,428m ascent (6 miles & 4,685ft)
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Day 3
Cable Car to Cime Bianche. Walk to Rifugio Ferraro
12.4km & 278m ascent (7.7 miles & 912ft)
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Day 4
Rifugio Ferraro to Rifugio Gabiet
14.1km & 1,218m ascent (8.8 miles & 3,996ft)
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Day 5
Rifugio Gabiet to Rifugio Pastore
17.3km & 968m ascent (10.8 miles & 3,176ft)
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Day 6
Rifugio Pastore to Macugnaga
21.5km & 1,269m ascent (13.4 miles & 4,164ft)
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Day 7
Cable Car to Monte Moro Pass. Walk to Saas-Fee
17.1km & 213m ascent (10.6 miles & 699ft)
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Day 8
Saas-Fee to Grächen
20.2km & 902m ascent (12.6 miles & 2,959ft)
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Day 9
Grächen to Europahütte
16.2km & 1,454m ascent (10.1 miles & 4,771ft)
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Day 10
Europahütte to Zermatt
19.5km & 775m ascent (12.1 miles & 2,543ft)
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Day 11
Depart from Zermatt
TMR-2R (Highlights in Refuges)
Length: 7 Days / 6 nights
Difficulty: Challenging
Price: from £ 1,040.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2027 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)
Basic: £ 1,040.00 per person
Basic: £ 1,310.00
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Zermatt
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Day 2
Cable Car to Cime Bianche. Walk to Rifugio Ferraro
12.4km & 278m ascent (7.7 miles & 912ft)
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Day 3
Rifugio Ferraro to Rifugio Gabiet
14.1km & 1,218m ascent (8.8 miles & 3,996ft)
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Day 4
Rifugio Gabiet to Rifugio Pastore
17.3km & 968m ascent (10.8 miles & 3,176ft)
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Day 5
Rifugio Pastore to Macugnaga
21.5km & 1,269m ascent (13.4 miles & 4,164ft)
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Day 6
Cable Car to Monte Moro Pass. Walk to Saas-Fee
17.1km & 213m ascent (10.6 miles & 699ft)
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Day 7
Depart from Zermatt
TMR-1H (in Hotels)
Length: 10 Days / 9 nights
Difficulty: Challenging
Price: from £ 1,800.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2027 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)
Classic: £ 1,800.00 per person
Classic: £ 2,540.00
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Zermatt
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Day 2
Cable Car to Cime Bianche. Walk to Frachey
13.5km & 181m ascent (8.4 miles & 594ft)
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Day 3
Frachey to Stafal
10.5km & 1,095m ascent (6.5 miles & 3,593ft)
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Day 4
Stafal to Alagna
16.4km & 1,108m ascent (10.2 miles & 3,635ft)
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Day 5
Alagna to Macugnaga
25.5km & 1,650m ascent (15.8 miles & 5,414ft)
(4km and 320m ascent can be cut by taxi)
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Day 6
Cable Car to Monte Moro Pass. Walk to Saas-Fee
17.1km & 213m ascent (10.6 miles & 699ft)
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Day 7
Saas-Fee to Grächen
20.2km & 902m ascent (12.6 miles & 2,959ft)
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Day 8
Grächen to Täsch
18.8km & 666m ascent (11.7 miles & 2,185ft)
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Day 9
Täsch to Zermatt
12.8km & 924m ascent (8.0 miles & 3,032ft)
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Day 10
Depart from Zermatt
TMR-2H (Highlights in Hotels)
Length: 7 Days / 6 nights
Difficulty: Challenging
Price: from £ 1,140.00 per person (GBP)
▼ Find out more...
2027 Prices in GBP (for 2 persons sharing a room)
Classic: £ 1,140.00 per person
Classic: £ 1,680.00
Please see accommodation section below for details on our different accommodation levels.
Day 1
Arrive Zermatt
▼
Day 2
Cable Car to Cime Bianche. Walk to Frachey
13.5km & 181m ascent (8.4 miles & 594ft)
▼
Day 3
Frachey to Stafal
10.5km & 1,095m ascent (6.5 miles & 3,593ft)
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Day 4
Stafal to Alagna
16.4km & 1,108m ascent (10.2 miles & 3,635ft)
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Day 5
Alagna to Macugnaga
25.5km & 1,650m ascent (15.8 miles & 5,414ft)
(4km and 320m ascent can be cut by taxi)
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Day 6
Cable Car to Monte Moro Pass. Walk to Saas-Fee
17.1km & 213m ascent (10.6 miles & 699ft)
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Day 7
Depart from Zermatt
What’s Included?
✔ Accommodation each night
✔ Breakfast every morning
✔ Dinner at Refuges
✔ Detailed Itinerary, Map & Guidebook
✔ GPX Waypoints and online mapping
✔ Emergency Phone Number
What’s not Included?
X Travel Insurance
X Flights to and from the trail
X Lunches
Optional Extras
? Rail Transport to and from the trail
? Taxi Transfers to and from the trail
Tour de Monte Rosa - Itinerary Detail
The below is based on our most popular itinerary on the Tour de Monte Rosa, TMR-1R (in Refuges) which is 10 nights.
▼ Day 1: Arrive in Zermatt
Easily accessible by train
Arrive in the famous mountain town of Zermatt. Easily accessible by train in just 4 hours from Geneva and 3.5 hours from Zurich
Accommodation:
Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 2: Zermatt to Gandegghütte
9.6km & 1,428m ascent (6 miles & 4,685ft)
The route begins by heading up the valley from Zermatt, past quaint hamlets such as Blatten. The glaciated peaks ahead get gradually closer as you do some serious ascent, with the Matterhorn a constant companion. Many cable cars are nearby to make some shortcuts. At the Gandegghütte, views over the huge Gornergletsher glacier really open up.
Accommodation:
Gandegghütte
▼ Day 3: Cable Car to Cime Bianche. Walk to Rifugio Ferraro
12.4km & 278m ascent (7.7 miles & 912ft)
Begin with a series of cable cars from Trockener Steg to Cime Bianche. This takes you right over the Theodulgletscher glacier and into Italy, via Klein Matterhorn, one of the most famous and spectacular viewpoints in Europe. From Cime Bianche you’ll leave behind this busy area, and drop into a series of forgotten side valleys, before reaching the picturesque Rifugio Ferraro in a hamlet of ancient stone houses, just below the treeline.
Accommodation:
Rifugio Ferraro
▼ Day 4: Rifugio Ferraro to Rifugio Gabiet
14.1km & 1,218m ascent (8.8 miles & 3,996ft)
From Rifugio Ferraro you tackle your first mountain pass, by climbing up to Passo del Rothorn, scenically positioned above the twin mountain lakes of Laghetti del Salero. Descending into Valle di Gressoney on the other side brings you to the small resort village of Stafal, and your first road in 3 days. Ascend through thick forest, before breaking out into a mountain bowl where you’ll find Rifugio Gabiet.
Accommodation:
Rifugio Gabiet
▼ Day 5: Rifugio Gabiet to Rifugio Pastore
17.3km & 968m ascent (10.8 miles & 3,176ft)
Start today by tackling the Col d’Olen, which at 2881m feels high and remote. On the other side, drop into the Valle d’Olen and then the Valle d’Otro. Pass through a series of remote “Walser” hamlets in the Valle d’Otro - a remnant of German-speaking Swiss settlers who moved here in the middle ages, and left behind their distinctive architecture. Reach the bottom of the valley at the larger village of Alagna (a good place to restock) before a final stretch along the valley floor to Rifugio Pastore.
Accommodation:
Rifugio Pastore
▼ Day 6: Rifugio Pastore to Macugnaga
21.5km & 1,269m ascent (13.4 miles & 4,164ft)
The longest unavoidable ascent comes with today’s tackling of the Colle del Turlo pass. The climb is made easier by the fantastic, zig-zagging stone trail, which was painstakingly constructed by the Italian army almost 100 years ago. The regimental eagle still adorns the top of the pass. The Valle Quarazza on the other side is a long and beautiful walk through forested wilderness. At the end of a long day, reach the historic village of Macugnaga, beneath the mighty Monte Rosa.
Accommodation:
Hotel in Macugnaga
▼ Day 7: Cable Car to Monte Moro Pass. Walk to Saas-Fee
17.1km & 213m ascent (10.6 miles & 699ft)
Skip 1500m of ascent by beginning today with a cable car from Macugnaga to the Monte Moro Pass. From the pass, views back to Monte Rosa are some of the best on the trip. A giant, golden statue of the Virgin Mary stands among rocky peaks. Here the route crosses the border back into Switzerland, and the day is spent descending gradually to Saas-Fee. First you pass through wild, open mountain country, then the huge Stausee reservoir, then gradually drop below the treeline to the green and beautiful Saas valley.
Accommodation:
Hotel in Saas-Fee
▼ Day 8: Saas-Fee to Grächen
20.2km & 902m ascent (12.6 miles & 2,959ft)
A fantastic “balcony” walk - from Saas-Fee to Hannigalp the route traverses high up the side of the Saas valley, never dropping below 1800m, usually just above the treeline. It’s a wild and untouched landscape - with no signs of civilisation along the way, just amazing views to the glaciated peaks of the Weissmies and Lagginhorn on the other side of the valley. Finish with a short descent into Grächen, a popular resort village.
Accommodation:
Hotel in Grächen
▼ Day 9: Grächen to Europahütte
16.2km & 1,454m ascent (10.1 miles & 4,771ft)
Now you turn south and begin your hike up the Mattertal valley towards Zermatt. This route takes you along the famous Europaweg to the Europahütte. A lot of height is lost in the descent to Herbiggen along the way, so the re-ascent up the side of the valley is a tough one, but it’s worth it for the views from one of Europe’s most famous balcony paths.
Accommodation:
Europahütte
▼ Day 10: Europahütte to Zermatt
19.5km & 775m ascent (12.1 miles & 2,543ft)
The final stage begins with the huge Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge - the longest in the world until recently. Then the Europaweg continues its march southward, high along the side of the valley, with views of the Matterhorn ahead of you becoming gradually more amazing. Finally, from the tiny hamlet of Tufternalp, descend into Zermatt to close the loop and return to where you started!
Accommodation:
Hotel in Zermatt
▼ Day 8: Depart from Zermatt
Easily accessibly by train
From Zermatt it's just 4 hours to Geneva and 3.5 hours to Zurich.
Tour de Monte Rosa - Route Map
Tour de Monte Rosa - Elevation Profile
Accommodation Levels
On the Tour de Monte Rosa we offer two types of itineraries:
TMR-1R and TMR-2R itineraries are mostly in refuges (aka huts), with some hotels in villages. Accommodation in refuges on the TMR is always in shared dormitories. Therefore the only accommodation level available on these two itineraries is Basic.
TMR-1H and TMR-2H itineraries are entirely in hotels, and always in private rooms. Therefore the only accommodation level available on these two itineraries is Classic. The route on these itineraries has been slightly adjusted in order to always reach hotels. Occasionally this means increased distance and ascent, but the difference is not significant, and you will be on the usual TMR route almost the whole way!
Basic
Shared dormitories when in refuges/huts. Private rooms when in hotels in villages.
Classic
Private rooms in hotels throughout the Tour de Monte Rosa.
Comfort
Not available on the Tour de Monte Rosa.
FAQs
Do you take bookings for solo hikers? (spoiler - of course we do!)
What is a self-guided holiday? When is the best time to travel?
For all answers please head to our FAQs page. Alternatively, please don’t hesitate to send us an email or give us a call with any questions about our holidays.