Alpine-passes trail: Valais

Switzerland

Country

8 days

Duration

Moderate

Difficulty

Breakfast

Board

Yes

Luggage transfer

Traverse the Majestic Alpine Passes in 8 Days

The Alpine Passes Trail is a remarkable odyssey that weaves together the most stunning valleys of Valais and Graubunden. Your adventure begins in Binntal, a valley of dreams and a nature sanctuary. The enchanting landscape unfolds, offering the first taste of alpine grandeur.

Key Highlights:

High-Altitude Wanderlust: Ascend to nearly 3,000 meters as you traverse the Salfischpass, where awe-inspiring views of snow-covered Valais peaks greet you. The journey’s end is a rugged, rocky terrain where the tales of daring mountaineers were born, in the Mattertal and Val d’Anniviers valleys.
Pass-to-Pass Magic: The Alpine Passes Trail unites the most beautiful passes in the Graubunden and Valais Alps, spanning an incredible 43 stages. From the idyllic Greina Plateau to the captivating passes and lakes at the base of the Dents du Midi, each step holds a new revelation.
Discover New Worlds: Hiking over passes is a unique pursuit, fueled by curiosity. It’s not about summit conquests; it’s about uncovering the secrets each pass conceals on its other side. With each valley crossed, you leave one world behind and embrace a new one.

This Alpine Passes Trail journey is a test of endurance and an opportunity to delve deep into the souls of the Graubunden and Valais mountain worlds. While completing all stages in one go is a feat, the trail’s flexibility allows you to explore it in sections, leaving you with a profound connection to these majestic alpine landscapes.

Start

July to September

Time of departure

Flexible

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Overnight stays according to the program with breakfast

Halfboard in Hotel Weisshorn

Daily luggage transfers (except Hotel-Weisshorn)

Costs for luggage pick-up at the station (for direct arrival and departure)

Subsidy for arrival by train

Carefully elaborated route

Travel documents (1 x per room) incl. SwitzerlandMobility Plus subscription

Service-Hotline

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Flight

Travel insurance

Rides on the bus and cable cars are not included in the price (Brig – Binn, Hannigalp – Grächen, St. Niklaus – Jungen). Approx. CHF 30 with half-fare card

Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!

*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only the services mentioned above are included in the price.

Additional information

Month	August, July, September

Valais

The Alpine Passes Trail, an 8-day adventure through Valais and Graubunden, offers a high-altitude trek, ascending to 3,000 meters via the Salfischpass. It connects stunning valleys, revealing snow-covered peaks in Valais. This challenging hike boasts 43 stages and allows hikers to discover new worlds with each pass, leaving a profound connection to the alpine landscapes.

Data:

Total distance: 80 km
H+: 3140 m
H-: 3410 m
Level: Medium

Arrival to Brig | Binn – Rosswald

Arrival to Brig and luggage drop-off. By train and bus to Binn. The attractive pass hike over the Saflischpass affords the first views of the Valais 4000-metre-mountain world. The village of Rosswald offers views down into the Rhone Valley from its scenic terrace.

Data:

Length: 17 km
Duration: 6.5 hours
H+: 1350 m
H-: 950 m

Rosswald - Simplonpass

By bus and cable car back to Rosswald. A varied stage, with panoramic scenery throughout: Alpine climb to Bortelhütte, blueberry picking above Rothwald in autumn. The trail leads along the pass road gallery from Schallbett to the Simplonpass.

Data:

Length: 17 km
Duration: 6.5 hours
H+: 1150 m
H-: 1000 m

Simplonpass - Visperterminen

Panoramic tour to Bistinepass: glaciated mountains above the Simplon, the Bernese Alps to the north. From little Fulmoos lake along the water channel to Gebidumpass. View of Mischabel mountains with Switzerland’s highest peak, the 4545m Dom.

Data:

Length: 19.5 km
Duration: 6 hours
H+: 840 m
H-: 880 m

Visperterminen - Saas-Fee

A classic high-level hike with wonderful views in upper Valais. With little height difference along mountain slopes through forests and Alpine pastures. Sun-browned old storage huts, barns and stables. Views of the grandiose 4000-metre mountain chain.

Data:

Length: 24 km
Duration: 8 hours
Height +: 1245 m
Height-: 1410 m

Saas-Fee - Grächen

Demanding high-level trail between Saas-Fee and Grächen, extremely exposed in parts. Steel cables providing secure holds on precarious sections. Dizzying views deep into the Saastal and enthralling views to the Fletschhorn, Lagginhorn and Weissmies. By cable car from the Hannigalp towards Grächen.

Data:

Length: 20 km
Duration: 7 hours
H+: 1250 m
H-: 1450 m

Grächen - Gruben

By bus to St. Niklaus and with the cable car up to the hamlet of Jungu, perched like an eagle’s nest above Switzerland’s deepest valley. Overwhelming views: Mischabel mountains with the Dom (4545 m) and Weisshorn. Medieval trade route to beautiful Turtmanntal.

Data:

Length: 13.5 km
Duration: 5.5 hours
H+: 1025 m
H-: 1200 m

Gruben - Hotel Weisshorn

Impressive views to Bishorn and Weisshorn from Meidpass. Planetenweg (planet trail) at historic Hotel Weisshorn.

Data:

Length: 11 km
Duration: 4.5 hour
H+: 1160 m
H-: 645 m

Hotel Weisshorn – Grimentz | Departure

Descent into the Val d’Anniviers past the Pointes de Nava. The tour through the village of Ayer and then back up to the Ancien Bisse de Morasse. A long, varied stage. After arrival in Grimentz, luggage retrieval and departure.

Data:

Length: 12 km
Duration: 3.5 hours
H+: 245 m
H-: 915 m

Binntal, Simplonpass & Mattertal

Day 1: Arrival to Brig, by bus to Binntal | Binn – Rosswald

Day 2: Rosswald – Simplonpass

Day 3: Simplonpass – Visperterminen

Day 4: Visperterminen – Saas-Fee

Day 5: Saas-Fee – Grächen | Departure

Mattertal and Val d’Anniviers

Day 1: Arrival to Brig, by bus to Saas-Fee | Saas-Fee – Grächen

Day 3: Grächen – Gruben

Day 3: Gruben – Hotel Weisshorn

Day 4: Hotel Weisshorn – Grimentz | Departure

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=39.842997,3.132962

Arrival by public transport to Brig. For direct arrival: Suitcases must be handed in at the luggage counter by 10:00 a.m. at the latest.
Departure by public transport from Grimentz. For direct departure: Suitcases will be returned to the luggage counter by 5:00 p.m. at the latest.

Equipment and clothing to bring for Alpine hikes and runs
We’ve compiled a list of essential items you’ll need to take on your adventure in the Great Outdoors. While each trip has its own minimum requirements, we have split the list into “need-to-have” and “nice-to-haves”.

Need to have:

Lightweight, waterproof shell
Sunscreen with a high factor
Smartphone with a relevant trip app and a WhatsApp and code number for your local representative
Survival blanket
Thin hat, cap, and thin gloves (merino or similar)
Daypack for hiking (tours with luggage transport)
Duffel bag or similar (trips with luggage transport) — DO NOT pack in suitcases.
30 L rucksack on trips up to six days (without luggage transport)
40 L rucksack on trips of more than six days (without luggage transport)
Quick-drying inner layer
Shorts (quick drying)
Technical t-shirt (quick drying)
Fleece sweater for cool evenings
A pair of comfortable jogging bottoms or similar for the cabins
Good mountain shoes — trail running shoes or hiking boots
Light towel
Water bottle (1.5 L)
A pair of thick socks or light slippers (you can often borrow a pair in the cabins)
Sunglasses
A few energy bars, fruits or similar snacks for the trip
Sheet liner — can also be purchased on-site (only if you are staying in a dormitory)
Small first aid kit
Comped or similar
Sleeping bag (on selected tours)