Chamonix and the Mont Blanc massif are truly one of the world’s alpine splendors. The peaks and alpine glaciers envelop the valley with a gorgeous and stately majesty. The Mont Blanc Highlights ended up being the perfect level of challenge for me, with daily hikes of 6-8 miles and more importantly, 2,500-3,000 feet of elevation gain to an altitude of over 7,000 feet most days. Make sure you are in good condition and have good climbing boots so that you can enjoy the views with minimal discomfort. Our Chalet Chalupa was a nice home for the week, with Carol and Sebastien providing daily meals and comfy beds to allow recovery for the next day’s adventures. No laundry facilities here – take what you’ll need for the week. Our hosts also ferried us around in vans to each day’s hike start point where not supported by the valley’s excellent transit system. All the trails are very well maintained and the views – from someone who always thought the Yosemite Valley was the quintessential hikers paradise – the Mont Blanc massif just has to be seen to be believed. Life changing.
Walking Holidays in Switzerland
Walking Tours in Switzerland
Top 5 Hiking Trails in the Swiss Alps
Mont Blanc Bovine Route: Being the tallest peak in the Alps, Mont Blanc is a beautiful beast of a mountain and a seriously challenging trek, but the scenery you’ll encounter is well worth the effort. The Tour de Mont Blanc is split into 11 stages and the Bovine Route to Champex is a popular trail on walking holidays in Switzerland, which leads you through high alpine pastures and larch forests overlooking the Sion Valley. Along the trail you’ll pass pretty mountain cafes, perfect for taking a quick break and enjoying the traditional Swiss Rosti. From Champex Lac, a magnificent alpine lake surrounded by dramatic peaks, you can peer over to the Val Ferret from its eastern shore.
The Gasterntal and the Klus Gorge: The UNESCO-listed Gasterntal, known as Kandersteg’s ‘Hidden Valley’, sets the scene for one of the best trails on Switzerland walking holidays. Cascading waterfalls tumble down its rugged rock faces into the River Kander and the sound of water and scent of pine trees is like a sweet elixir for the senses. You can opt to walk higher up the valley or continue through the alpine meadows and woodlands to the Waldhaus Nature Reserve, where the landscape erupts with orchids and fire lilies. Following the stunning ravine of Klus Gorge with its roaring waterfalls, you’ll walk beneath the lofty slopes of the Balmhorn, Tatlishore and Atels.
Blausee and the Nordrampe: Imagine a dreamlike scene where bright turquoise and emerald waters are fringed by a canopy of towering firs and gnarled trees and it will give you some idea of how idyllic Blausee Nature Park is. Its natural beauty is so intense, it almost seems unreal, but then walking in Switzerland never ceases to amaze you at every turn. From here you can continue through the Kanderground valley to join the Nordrampe Bahnwanderweg. Walk along the mountain railway and past the ancient ruins of Felsenburg Tower where you’re hugged on all sides by breath-taking views.
Edelweiss Trail, Zermatt: Perhaps most synonymous with the song from ‘The Sound of Music’, Edelweiss is a pretty, alpine flower that carpets Swiss meadows, creating a sea of white stars across the landscape. The Edelweiss Trail in Zermatt is one of the most picturesque you’ll find on walking holidays in Switzerland and guides you up to a spectacular vantage point where the views are beyond compare. From here, as you ascend to Trift, views of the unmistakable Matterhorn begin to unfurl. With one last push uphill, you’ll reach Höhbalmen for even more spellbinding views of the Matterhorn.
The Golden Madonna Pass: Gazing down over the Monto-Moro Pass, which lies on the border of Italy and Switzerland, the Golden Statue of Mary takes centre stage atop a rocky summit. Winding around the central lake, explore this ancient walking route along the pass. The menacing peaks of Monte Rosa soon come into sight, and you can pause to inhale some of the most remarkable views you’ll find while walking in Switzerland
Craig Isom Mont Blanc Highlights
Kim Simkins Mont Blanc HighlightsGreat week of scenic and challenging mountain hikes led by Adrian who is an extremely fit, enthusiastic and knowledgeable mountain guide leader with a great sense of humour! Based a short bus ride outside of the pretty town of Chamonix in a lovely catered chalet, which is hosted by the amazing Sebastien and Carolina , who provided a clean, comfortable and friendly home from home environment during our stay. They kept us extremely well fed and watered. There were fresh baked croissants for breakfast and a delicious cake or pastry waiting on our return in the afternoons, followed by a delicious home cooked three course dinner. They also did a great job ferrying us around to trailheads and bus stops in the minibus.
Erin Trevitt Tour du Mont Blanc Hotel TrekThis trip was truly once in a lifetime. The scenery is unmatched— a take-your-breath-away experience every single day. The hiking was extremely challenging but still doable, what a privilege to be able to push yourself! The organization and accommodations were great making for a smoothly run adventure.
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