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Duration
8 days
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in alpine hotels, huts & B&Bs
Meals
  • 7 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1590USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: MRA

Trip highlights


  • Exploring the natural heritage, wild open spaces and beautiful forests of this quieter alpine region
  • Discovering small mountain villages with their Walser heritage, dialect and architecture
  • Enjoying beautiful hikes around 2000m elevation
  • Staying in comfortable family-run accommodation

The Upper Lys Valley, also known as the Gressoney Valley, is a small pocket of Aosta which has for centuries been home to the Walser Germanic people. Their enduring traditions can still be found in the typical wood and stone houses. the cuisine and the unique dialect. Dominating the valley is western Europe's 2nd highest peak, Monte Rosa (4634m). This impressive valley is home to wild open spaces, beautiful forests and the snowy peaks of Monte Rosa. There are numerous traditional villages to explore, with their social wood ovens and cheese making heritage. Staying in comfortable family-run accommodation at night and hiking at elevations of around 2000m during the day, makes this a perfect alpine hiking holiday.

Trip Grading

moderate

More info about grading system

Traveller Rating

 

Make your own way to Pont-Saint-Martin train station in the Aosta Valley, where you will transfer by taxi to your accommodation, Agriturismo Le Soleil. Here you can enjoy the Lys valley's crisp air, roam in the forest or relax at the Agriturismo, where the locally made goat cheese is ready for you to taste. Pont-Saint-Martin is the main town in the Lower Aosta Valley. If you arrive early we suggest strolling through town to see the spectacular Roman bridge which crosses the Lys stream in the old town centre. This afternoon you will have an arrival briefing with our local representative.

Meals:  D

After breakfast set out on your first mountain hike of the trip, leading to the Mars mountain that separates Piedmont (east) from the Aosta Valley (west). Remember to pack a change of “comfy” clothes and overnight needs as luggage transport is not possible today (you will find your 'main luggage' waiting for you in Gruba). The route initially ascends through the forest and fields, then you will soon find yourself immersed in the wilderness of mountain lakes and peaks. Try to spot the mountain hut in the granite valley! If you want to walk some more in the afternoon there are numerous options, just ask the 'Rifugista'. ** Note that luggage transfer is not available today so you will need to carry your daily requirements in your rucksack. Distance: 6.5km/5.3mi, ascent +940m/3084ft, descent -280m/918ft, highest point 2069m

Meals:  B,L,D

If sunset is magic, sunrise is even more colourful here… if you are up this early it means you'll want to hike the long and wild option through the mountains towards Colle della Vecchia. It’s an adventurous and long hike, so be prepared to spend all day climbing up and down the valleys (subject to weather, check with your hut hosts). If you prefer to take it easy but still have a nice hike you can opt to traverse and descend to Issime, passing by the numerous hamlets with typical mountain architecture. From Issime a short transfer will take you to the accommodation. Overnight in La Gruba in Gaby (Aosta). Distance: 16.5km/10mi, ascent +1140m/3740ft, descent -1560m/5118ft, highest point 2351m, or easier option 12km/7.5mi, ascent +160m/525ft, descent -1260m/4133ft, highest point 2075m

Meals:  B,L,D

Today the Vallone del Loo is waiting for you. It's a gradual and long valley hike, dotted with typical stone houses used to keep the animals but also to host the walkers that venture into this beautiful place. In the peace and quiet you will descend for the first time into the Gressoney valley and then climb onto the other side (transfer available) to the next accommodation, with views of the giant Monte Rosa (rosa=pink, for the colour of its granite stone). The included lunch today is along the way at Agriturismo Blékléne. Distance: 14km/8.75mi ascent +1150m/3773ft, descent -1080m/3543ft, highest point 2389m or with transfer: 13km/8mi, ascent 900m/2952ft, descent -1000m/3280ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Also called the Monte Rosa stage, as the mountain will guide your way, today you pass through many “alpeggi”, where cows and sheep spend the summer and meet the shepherd. The Walser culture is especially present here: a German nomadic population has lived here since medieval times thanks to their ability to farm at altitude. Here the architecture and even the dialect is a mirror of their culture, and one of the best examples is the Alpenzu Hut (Gressoney -Saint-Jean), where you stay tonight. Ask your host to visit the restored social wood oven. ** Note that luggage transfer is not available for tonight and tomorrow, it's transferred directly to Anderbatt, so you will need to carry your requirements for 2 days in your rucksack. Do not forget your sleep sheet and towel. Distance: 11km/6.9mi, ascent +790m/2591ft, descent -620m/2034ft, highest point 2083m

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you head to the Orestes Hut (located at 2600m). From the typical Walser village of Alpenzu you start out first through forest, before descending to the tiny village of Gressoney-la-Trinite. Follow the Lys river to Anderbatt and Staffal, the last village before the glacier, then there are 2 options. One is to take the cable car/gondola to Gabiet (not included, allow 10 euros pp) and walk (3km, 300m+) to Orestes hut. The other option is to hike up to the hut without taking the cable car (6km, 800m+), making it a much tougher day. Note that at the hut they cook only tasty vegetarian and vegan food. ** As previously noted, luggage transfer is not available today. Distance (without the cablecar): 15km/9.4mi, ascent +1400m/4593ft, descent -600m/1968ft, highest point 2619m

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s hike takes you to the foot of Monte Rosa. Here the alpinists start their ascent to the famous Capanna Margherita (hut), named after the queen (and the pizza!), at 4500m, or the famous Lyskamm traverse. You will hike up to Colle Salza at 2882m then descend to Staffal/Anderbatt in the Lys valley, with stunning views of the glacier. For experienced and fit hikers only and subject to weather there is the option to hike to the “Alta Luce” panoramic point, located at nearly 3200m. Overnight B&B in Anderbatt, where your luggage awaits your arrival. Distance: 8km/5mi, ascent +400m/1312ft, descent -1200m/3937ft, highest point 2882m Alta Luce: 6hrs, 10km/6.2mi, ascent 700m/2296ft, descent 1500m/4921ft, highest point 3184m

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip concludes after breakfast in Anderbatt. Additional nights can be booked on request or you can take the bus to Fontainmore or Pont St Martin to continue your onward journey.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches (5 packed lunches, 1 at an agriturismo) and 7 dinners
  • 7 nights in alpine hotels, huts & B&Bs on a twin share basis, mainly with private facilities (la Barma Hutte has shared facilities)
  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and route book.
  • Luggage transfers on day 2 agriturismo to La Gruba, day 4 La Gruba to Villa Fridau and day 5 Villa Fridau to Anderbatt - max 1 piece, max weight 15kg.
  • Transfer Pont-Saint-Martin train station to the agriturismo on day 1
  • Emergency hotline
  • Arrival briefing

  • Travel to Pont-Saint-Martin and from Anderbatt
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Guide - this is a self guided trip
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • A supplement will apply if you are booking single rooms, not suitable for solo travellers
  • Transfers
  • Luggage transfers when staying overnight at the huts - you must carry your daily needs in your backpack
  • Sleep sheet & towel for rifugios (possible to purchase a disposable sheet and towel - EUR4 each)
  • Cable car fare (allow EUR10)
  • We can transport extra luggage directly from the first to the last accommodation - supplement applies
  • Hotel taxes (allow approx €10-12) per person
  • Items of a personal nature

Grading

moderate  

MODERATE – GRADE 3 The trip is graded moderate with daily hikes of 4 to 9 hours, with options to shorten on some days. The longer option on day 3, up to 9 hours of walking, is a challenging hike. Bear in mind the altitude is always around 2000m and the terrain is sometimes rocky and slippery. Conditions can change rapidly in this mountain environment - you should always check with your host before setting out each day. Luggage transfers are not possible to the huts on days 2, 5 and 6 - you will need to carry your overnight requirements in your rucksack.


Departure dates

Daily from 15 Jun to 15 Sep

Notes

Note:
This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternative tour suggestions.
Note:
We also offer a 6-day version (trip code MR6)
Note:
Trip available to book from 15 June however depending on snow conditions the itinerary may alter (if mountain huts closed) and additional costs may apply.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1590USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for triple share rooms (pp)USD$-17
  • Single supplementUSD$250
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

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