Hike the Ayas Valley

6 days, 8 days

Duration

Yes

Luggage transfer

Full board

Board

Beginner, Medium

Physicality

August, July, June, May, October, September

Month

Hike on trails between the Monte Rosa massif and the iconic Matterhorn, which sits on the border between Italy and Switzerland. An incredibly beautiful and majestic landscape, which you are likely to remember for many years after you finished this tour.

We have categorised this tour ‘easy to medium’ and suitable for hikers, who prefer less altitude variation on their tour. There are no major technical passages on the trails and therefore it is suitable for most people in average to good shape.

You spend the night in charming mountain huts, enjoying delicious food, warm hospitality and great mountain atmosphere.

This tour at the foot of Monterosa will allow hikers to see and experience all the beauties of the Val d’Ayas. Villages, panoramas and landscapes will remain impressed on people mind. The variety and typicality of the places where sleeping and the restaurants will allow to fully enjoy the stay.

As in the nearby Valle del Lys, here too many languages and dialects are spoken: Italian, the
Franco-provencal and Walser-deutsch dialects. Many cultures met in Val d’Ayas, and strong are the architectural and traditional influences of the Walser, a population of Germanic origin that arrived through Zermatt and the Teodulo pass.

The first part of the trek goes up the valley until it touches the Verra Glacier at the foot of Monterosa, the highest destination of the trek. Then the return through an uncontaminated alpine landscape full of flowered mountain meadows, deep blue lakes and Walser villages to go back to the starting point in Brusson, not after passing through the places that set the book “Le 8 montagne” by the award-winning writer Paolo Cognetti.

Choose between six or eight days on this tour.

Start

Multiple options

Time of departure

Flexible

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Full board

Luggage transport

Support line

Hiking maps

Double room

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

Flight

Travel insurance

*This tour is based on a minimum of two participants. Only services mentioned above are included in the price. Single travellers should expect to pay an extra fee for single rooms in hotels. Luggage transfer is only available for two or more participants.

Learn what to bring on this tour here

Learn more about our hut-to-hut hikes in Austria

Additional information

Ticket Type	Adult, Child (under 13 years)

Ayas Valley

This is an example of a tour on this route. Your final itinerary may be different depending on availability of rooms at the time of your booking.

Data:

Total distance: 67,6 KM
H+: 3486
H-: 3486
Level: Easy to medium.

Day 1: Arrival in Abreny

Arrival in Abreny (afternoon). Our guide will meet you and introduce you to the tour with a thorough briefing, maps and gpx-files.

Day 2: Abreny - Lavarets

The trek begins with the ascent from Brusson (1338 m) to arrive at high altitude through a forest of fir trees, the wood from which the typical wooden sabot shoes are made, once used habitually and now handicrafts. From the Colle, before resuming the route of Monte Rosa Randò at 1640 m, cross the hill for a few meters where having a magnificent view of a series of Alpine peaks, including Montblanc. After a while, the path that runs along the Courtod irrigation canal resumes, which crosses 14 short tunnels in the rock. Further on,
the beautiful Barmasc plateau (1900 m) is reached: originally, it was a summer settlement of the farmers of the valley below, who let their cows graze here during the summer months.

Data:
Distance: 11 km
H+: 630

H-: 30

Time: 4.30 hours.

Day 3: Lavarets - Ferraro

From Barmasc you return to the Courtod irrigation canal which you follow up to the Metsan mountain pastures where the small path 3F begins for the Nana pass. Now you go up through a real alpine environment up to the very small glacial lake Lechien at 2276 m, from which you can enjoy a view of rare beauty on the mountain massifs of Monterosa and Cervino. Then begins the descent with hairpin bends towards the wide valley of Nana and Saint Jacques at 1689 m., Crossroads and overnight stay on the old trade route from Val d’Ayas to Zermatt. From here, go up towards the glacier, arriving at Piani di Verra and
extending a bit to Lake Blu among the moraines of the Verra glacier. Returning to the floors you reach the Ferraro refuge in the panoramic village of Rosy through a beautiful wood.

Data:
Distance: 13.5 km
H+: 718

H-: 570

Time: 5.30 hours.

Day 4: Ferraro - Aroulla

From the Ferraro refuge, a very beautiful stretch of the Monterosa Tour runs through expanses of rhododendrons, a ski slope, lakes and various mountain pastures. After the small ascent to the Belvedere you go down to the Crest and after a while you arrive at Cuneaz at 2032 m., Another typical and beautiful summer settlement of the mountaineers where you spend the night in a typical Walser house. Staying here is a unique experience. : about 3.5 hours of pure running, 8.5 km. 483 m of descent and 469 m of elevation gain.

Data:
Distance: 8.5 km
H+: 483

H-: 469

Time: 3.40 hours.

Day 5: Aroulla - Abreny

This is a full day at high altitude and above the tree line. Follow the Alta Via towards the Pinter Pass but, after about 30 ‘, turn right and, after a flat stretch, a challenging climb begins which, across the grassy slopes, reaches Lake Perrin at an altitude of 2640 m. The view is great both on the valley and on the monterosa and the whole alpine chain including the Matterhorn. Through a rugged landscape around Monte Castello and then through pastures, you descend into the Mascognaz Valley to arrive in one of the most exclusive locations in the Alps where a unique experience awaits you in a splendid Walser village which, when restored, has become a wonderful resort at 1,822 m.

Data:
Distance: 9 km
H+: 614

H-: 840

Time: 4.00 hours.

Day 6: Departure from Abreny

The hardest stage of the trek is worth the effort and will remain in your eyes and heart due to the many beautiful mountain lakes and beautiful views. From Mascognaz you go up through a beautiful glacial basin to the Palasinaz pass at 2668 m before descending towards the south with one splendid panorama after another. Pass the beautiful lakes Coliou and Pocia to arrive at the natural “amphitheater” of Estoul at 1879m where a beautifully restored B&B awaits you.

Data:
Distance: 13 km
H+: 860

H-: 862

Time: 5.30 hours.

Day 7: Aroulla - Abreny

The landscape changes during the last walk of the trek and will allow you to live other experiences. The panoramic route over the valley and Mont Nery passes through the ancient traditional villages of La Croix and Fenillaz, then passes the castle of Graines before crossing the valley floor of the River Evancon These are all scenarios from the “Le 8 montagne” book. Then go up along the Ru and the cross-country track up to Brusson where above the beautiful lake the trek ends with a last overnight stay in Brusson at 1338 m in the B & b Abreny in Chantal where you left.

Data:
Distance: 15.5 km
H+: 852

H-: 850

Time: 6.15 hours.