Monte Rosa: Be In It

Hikers in the Zermatt Valley, Switzerland | Sarah Higgins
Hikers in the Zermatt Valley, Switzerland | Sarah Higgins

Monte Rosa: Be In It

Hike the less famous (although just as beautiful) mountain in the Alps 

 
In our third edition of our Travel: Be In It series we take a closer look at a big mountain in the European Alps. No, not that big mountain, the one that took out UTracks’ top active travel destination of 2019, but Monte Rosa.

Monte Rosa is located on the border between Italy (Piedmont and Aosta Valley) and Switzerland. It is Switzerland’s highest peak and the second highest mountain in Western Europe at 4,634m (15,203 feet). It was first summitted in 1855, although on our tours we’ll leave the climbing to the mountaineers. 

Also, the name Monte Rosa translates to Pink Mountain. Makes it seem even more alluring!

Read on as we cover 5 active travel benefits of exploring Monte Rosa.
 

Don’t let Mont Blanc be your only Alpine Hike

 

OK, we understand everyone loves to walk Mont Blanc. It was the number one travel destination of 2019 and is often cited as one of the premier hikes in Europe. Given Mont Blanc’s immense popularity (and I’m assuming you, dear reader, have possibly walked it already?), why not relive the excitement and breathtaking experiences of the Tour du Mont Blanc with a similar, but completely different Alpine hike?

Pilgrims on the Camino trail will often start planning a different Camino route as soon as they’ve reached Santiago de Compostela. If you’re looking to have a similarly great experience to the Mont Blanc classic, don’t overlook Monte Rosa.
 

Half the Fun is in the Training

 
The peaks of Liskamm & Monte Rosa as seen on our walking holiday in the Alps |  <i>John Millen</i>
 
Walking the Tour de Monte Rosa is very scenic but can also be quite strenuous. We have three trips around Monte Rosa and according to our honest trip grading system, two are graded as moderate and one is graded as challenging. 

On the challenging Tour de Monte Rosa Walk, the daily guided walks are around 5-7 hours. There are many challenging stages during the walk with steep uphills, descents, and sections of the trail which require care. The focus is on keeping a steady pace with time to stop and take photos.

You will need an excellent level of fitness to participate fully in this walking adventure. It is considered suitable for experienced walkers only, with a strong walking pace. Early in the season (June) you may encounter snow on the passes which may be quite deep making the walk more difficult.

As with all our challenging programs, we expect participants to be regular outdoors people, enjoying aerobic sport around four or five times a week over some period of time. Preferably this has been a long term interest but if not, you have set a program of fitness preparation with at least three months lead in time to your trip. The fitter you are for your trip, the more of a holiday it will be.
 

Reward yourself with Alpine Delicacies

 
Fondue is a typical meal on the refuges in Switzerland |  <i>Tim Charody</i>

How does stunning alpine vistas get even more incredible? When you’ve got a dinner table of local delights in front of you. On a hiking tour of Monte Rosa, enjoy guilt-free dining. There’s plenty of cow’s and goat’s Toma cheese available, raclette (a shared pot of melted cheese) and gratin, all made from alpine pastures. Don’t miss the saucisson, which is a dry cured sausage. To wash it all down, don’t go past the Bebbiolo DOCG wine, considered one of the best and most sought after Piedmont wines (DOCG meaning Denomination of Controlled Origin, so the wine must be made locally).
 

History doesn’t have to be Explored Solely in a Museum

 
Group ascending a mountain on the Tour de Monte Rosa Walk above a stunning alpine lake |  <i>Andrew Bain</i>

On a visit to Europe it is inevitable you will come face to face with history, even if you’re not specifically trying to! On a hike around Monte Rosa, you’ll witness history but it won’t come in the form of an old church or an exhibit-filled museum. Instead, you can walk in the footsteps of the famous geologist/engineer/artist/etc Leonardo da Vinci. 
Leonardo studied Monte Rosa in the late 15th century and it is widely acknowledged that he even climbed up to an altitude of 3,000m. Historians are able to assume this due to the detail in his drawings. He writes of Monte Rosa:
 
No mountain has its base at so great a height as this, which lifts itself above almost all the clouds; and snow seldom falls there, but only hail in the summer ... and this hail lies unmelted there ... and in the middle of July I found it very considerable. And I saw the sky above me quite dark, and the sun as it fell on the mountain was far brighter than in the plains below, because less atmosphere lay between the mountain and the sun. (From The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci)
 

Better Travel Memories For You

 
Cows grazing in the postcard perfect setting of the Gressoney Valley

Need more convincing about how awesome it is to walk the Tour de Monte Rosa? Hear from Ceejay, a UTracks Traveller from Germany.
 
Just a note to say, thank you. I had a wonderful week on the TMR. The preparation list was very comprehensive and I was thankful not to need my blister kit. Everything was well organised, my gluten free and no meat needs were well met with delicious foods. Our amazing guide, Maxim crafted lovely salads and fruit for us each day. Being the slowest in our group going up the hills was no problem for Maxim who managed everything really well. We had a very fun group with lots of stories and laughs. It is very special to meet like minded people who adore these mountains. It was my first week-long walk for many years but the pacing was just right and I never felt exhausted, just expectedly tired. The views just have to be seen to be believed, photos don't reveal the breath-taking "wow" feeling of being there. Thank you, I will be back :)
 

Interested in Hiking Monte Rosa?

 

For the popular small group guided Tour de Monte Rosa Walk, click here.
 
For the self guided 8 day Monte Rosa Alpine Walk, click here.
 
For the self guided 6 day Monte Rosa Alpine Walk, click here.
 
Click here to view all of our Monte Rosa trips.
 
Will you be strapping on your hiking boots and venturing to Monte Rosa? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
 
Read our other in depth reviews in our Travel: Be In It series:
 
 
 
Italy, Switzerland, Monte Rosa, Travel Be In It, Alpine Hikes

Comment (0)

Your comment will be visible after the administrator's approval.







b i u quote


Save Comment
Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips