Zermatt - The Grand Tour

Superb days traversing some of the finest peaks & ridges in the Alps!
Exhilarating!

Photograph to replace line drawing

We rendezvous in Zermatt at the world-famous Hotel Bahnof (an excellent dortoir), and after initial checks on weather, gear etc., we take the Kleine Matterhorn cable car to Trockener Steg (2839m). Crossing the glacier to the Theodule Hut (3317m) breaks us in gently.

We're after our first big peak, the (Zermatt) Breithorn (4634m), technically straightforward but a real boost for altitude training. Our easy descent takes us onto the Italian side of the region and from a col (the Schwarztor, 3731m), we drop down to the Valle d'Ayas Hut, where a warm welcome is always provided by the guardian.

In the early hours, we re-ascend to the col on the frontier ridge, and climb to the summit of Pollux (4092m), a wonderful peak and our 2nd 4000er. Our next objective, a short distance away, is the beautiful ridge climb to the summit of Castor (4228m). We descend to the glacier and go on and down to the Quintino Sella Hut (3858m).

The traverse of the great peak, Lyskam (4527m) is next on our list. Returning to the frontier ridge we climb to the east summit of this majestic beast. The traverse to the west summit is stunning and our descent to the Lysjoch, followed by a short ascent to the Margherita Hut (at 4554m, the highest hut in the Alps ) draws a superb day to a close.

After (hopefully) getting a good night's sleep, ahead of us lies another stunning day. We traverse over the Zumsteinspitz (4563m) and the Grenzattel to the summit of the Dufourspitz (at 4634m, the highest point in Switzerland) and follow the rocky ridge, then the 'via normal' down the easy snows to the Monte Rosa Hut (2795m). Great days in the mountains don't come much better!

A later start now the finish is in sight! We cross the glacier and take the well-used track up to Rotboden Station, and the Gornergrat train will take us back into Zermatt and some well-earned celebrations.