Matterhorn and Monte Rosa hiking tour, Swiss & Italian Alps
A nine-day hiking journey through two of the Alps’ most iconic mountain landscapes. Begin in Zermatt, the mountain capital of the Swiss Alps, then cross into Italy’s Aosta Valley at the foot of the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa — walking ancient trails once used by the Walser people.
The crossing itself is a highlight: thanks to the new Matterhorn Alpine Crossing lift, you’ll ride from Zermatt over the Klein Matterhorn and down into Cervinia on the Italian side — one of the most heavily glaciated regions in the Alps, crowned by its two highest peaks.
From there, the route dips through the Aosta Valley and Piedmont, over quiet mountain passes and into isolated stone-built villages, with alpine wildlife, warm hospitality, and outstanding regional cuisine along the way. The tour finishes at Lake Orta — one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, tucked in the northeastern corner of Piedmont beside Lake Maggiore, and just an hour from Milan airport.
Fitness
Good hiking fitness is required for consecutive days on the trail. You should be comfortable walking 4–6 hours a day, with ascents and descents of up to 860 m in a single stage.
Terrain & Technical Skill
Trails range from easy valley walks to sustained high-alpine ascents and descents over open pasture, rocky paths, and mountain passes. A suspension footbridge is crossed on Day 3. No technical climbing or exposure requiring ropes.
Experience
Prior multi-day hiking experience is helpful but not essential — this tour is well suited to hikers who are fit and comfortable on varied terrain, including some who are newer to multi-day trekking.
Altitude
The highest point reached is Klein Matterhorn at 3,883 m (by cable car), with hiking passes generally between 1,600–2,800 m. No glacier travel or mountaineering is involved.
Overall Level: Moderate — accessible to fit, motivated hikers seeking a scenic multi-day tour, without requiring advanced mountaineering experience.
Meet the group at 6pm at the hotel for a welcome dinner in town, where your guide will walk you through the days ahead.
Night at Hotel in Zermatt
The 5 Lakes Walk is in a class of its own among Zermatt’s hikes. The Matterhorn reflects in three of the lakes along the way, and the varied trail keeps the views coming.
Hike: 9.8 km, +165 m, –454 m
Night at Hotel in Zermatt
A morning of culture and history: old villages, glacier-carved potholes in the rock, and a suspension footbridge soaring 90 vertical metres above the Gornerschlucht gorge, with the Gornera river churning far below.
After a picnic, board the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing — starting at 1,620 m in Zermatt, climbing to 3,883 m at Klein Matterhorn, then descending to Breuil-Cervinia at 2,050 m. With over 4,000 m of combined ascent and descent, it’s the highest-elevation-change cable car link anywhere in the Alps.
Hike: adaptable depending on weather and group conditions
Night at Hotel in Valtournenche
A short transfer to Cheneil, a hamlet of stone farmhouses, marks the start of today’s climb through open pastures to the Colle di Nana at around 2,800 m, with sweeping views over the peaks between the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. The long descent to Saint-Jacques is classic high-alpine hiking: open meadows, craggy outcrops, and views the whole way down.
Hike: 11.8 km, +860 m, –600 m
Night at Hotel in Champoluc
A free day in the beautiful valley surrounding our historic hotel — spend it relaxing at the spa, or take a gentle walk through the ancient Walser houses of the hamlet.
Imagine sleeping in an authentic centuries-old alpine village, at 2,000 m, with only silence and the view of Monte Rosa for company — then open your eyes, because that’s exactly where you are. Life in the Mascognaz hamlet is the real draw here: everyday objects, pastoral routines, and the quiet rhythm of a way of life largely unchanged for generations.
Optional balcony-path hike to lunch at a Walser hamlet high above the valley
Night at same Hotel in Champoluc
A day with a wild, timeless feel. A funicular carries you up to Ciarcerio, from where you climb to the Rothorn pass — with, weather permitting, wonderful views to the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa’s glaciers. The descent passes a small mountain lake before a cable car carries you down into Stafal, in the Gressoney valley.
Hike: 9 km, +550 m, –780 m
Night at Hotel in the Gressoney valley
Day 7: Gressoney – Lift to Passo dei Salati and Alagna – Hike to Val d’Otro
Another spectacular cable car ride, this time over the Salati Pass, followed by an easy chairlift down to Alagna. From this beautiful corner of the Valsesia, we hike into the Val d’Otro — one of the most beloved classic trails in the region, opening onto alpine landscape of real cultural and natural significance.
Hike: 11 km, +650 m, –650 m
Night at Hotel in Alagna
We leave the high mountains behind and descend to Northern Italy’s lake district. A 1.5-hour shuttle brings us to the lake, where a boat carries us to San Giulio Island for a guided visit and lakeside lunch, before continuing on to explore the historic town of Orta itself. Tonight, we celebrate the end of the tour beside the lake.
Hike: easy walk
Night at Hotel at Lake Orta
The tour ends after breakfast. Shuttles to Domodossola train station or Milan airport can be arranged.
Footwear & Clothing
Sturdy, worn-in hiking boots with ankle support
Hiking socks (several pairs, wool or synthetic)
Base layers (short and long sleeve)
Mid-layer fleece or light insulation jacket
Waterproof, breathable jacket and trousers
Warm hat and gloves
Sun hat or cap
Hiking trousers or shorts
Swimwear (for the spa day in Champoluc)
Smart-casual outfit for evenings in town
On the Trail
Trekking poles (recommended)
Daypack (25–35 L)
Water bottles or hydration bladder (2 L minimum)
Sunglasses (strong alpine sun, especially near glaciers)
Sunscreen and lip balm (high SPF)
Basic first aid kit and personal medication
Blister plasters
Picnic-friendly container or bag (packed lunches provided some days)
Documents & Extras
Personal ID / passport (Switzerland–Italy border crossing)
Travel and personal accident/liability insurance details
Cash (Swiss francs and euros — both currencies needed on this route)
Phone with charger / power bank
Small padlock (for luggage during transfers)
Luggage
Main bag under 15 kg / 33 lbs (transferred between hotels for you)
Daypack carried on the trail each day
Costs are based on en suite double rooms
Organisation, UIMLA-mountain leader guide for all days, all nights in standard double rooms with ensuite bathrooms, all ground transportations from Zermatt, Switzerland to Lago Orto, Italy, all cable cars/lifts mentioned above, all breakfasts, dinners as mentioned above, luggage transfers (bags must weigh less than 15 kilos or 33 lbs)
Personal insurance, lunches & snacks, beverages, tippsFitness
Good hiking fitness is required for consecutive days on the trail. You should be comfortable walking 4–6 hours a day, with ascents and descents of up to 860 m in a single stage.
Why Choose Us
Insurance
Travel insurance is not included in our adventures.
We strongly recommend that you purchase insurance to cover cancellation, medical expenses, personal accident, personal baggage, money and public liability.
Accident or injury. Unexpected medical expenses. Unplanned incidents are rare but can crop up when you travel.
Gift vouchers
Give the gift of adventure with a Patagoniatiptop GmbH Certificate! Perfect for a mountaineering gift for your son’s birthday, a ski weekend for your best friend or a skitouring trip for your wife. Or … why not invite yourself?
How it works
Contact us and let us know how much you would like to spend. Let us know who is the lucky person to receive the voucher. We will then send the voucher to you or to the address you tell us.
