Tour of Monte Rosa

The Tour of Monte Rosa is the connoisseur's alternative to the bustling Tour du Mont Blanc. It is a wilder, tougher, and more remote journey that circumnavigates the vast, ice-clad Monte Rosa massif, the second-highest in the Alps. This trek offers a more profound sense of wilderness and solitude, taking hikers through pristine pastoral valleys and over high, demanding mountain passes that often remain in the realm of true high-altitude trekking. The scenery is defined by the raw power of rock and ice, with constant views of some of the most famous 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps, including the Matterhorn, Weisshorn, and the Dufourspitze (the highest peak in Switzerland).  

The TMR's distinct character is shaped by its increased challenge and remoteness compared to the TMB. It is a more serious undertaking, involving a mandatory glacier crossing at the Theodul Pass, which requires either significant mountaineering experience or the security of a mountain guide. The trail feels less like a well-trodden path and more like a genuine mountain expedition, linking ancient Walser villages in Italy with classic Swiss alpine resorts. It is a trek for the seasoned hiker seeking a more authentic and demanding Alpine experience, away from the crowds but deep in the heart of Europe's most spectacular mountain scenery.

The Tour of Monte Rosa (TMR) is a circular trek with several potential start/end points. The most popular hubs are the Swiss towns of Zermatt or Saas-Fee, and the Italian village of Alagna Valsesia. Zermatt, being car-free, is reached by a short train ride from the nearby village of Täsch, which has large parking facilities. The nearest major international airport is Geneva (GVA), approximately 2.5 hours away by car. Saas-Fee is accessible by Switzerland's efficient PostBus system. Alagna Valsesia in Italy is most easily reached from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP).

Accommodation on the TMR is a mix of high-altitude mountain huts (rifugi/hütten) and hotels in the valley towns.

• Theodulhütte (Rifugio del Teodulo): Situated right on the Theodul Pass at the Swiss-Italian border, this historic hut offers a unique and spectacular place to stay after the glacier crossing.  

• Rifugio Pastore: Located in a stunning position with views up to the dramatic east face of Monte Rosa, this is a classic Italian refuge near Alagna.  

• Europahütte: Located on the Europaweg balcony trail between Grächen and Zermatt, this hut offers a strategic overnight stop and proximity to the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge.