Guided Hiking Tours

Italy & Switzerland | Matterhorn Trek

Ascend the rugged border country of Italy and Switzerland.

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  • A reflection of the Matterhorn in a lake.
  • Matterhorn Trek
  • Summer view of a lake with some buildings and snowy mountains in the background.
  • A more aerial view of a lake in the foreground and the Matterhorn in the distance.
  • Italy and Switzerland Matterhorn Trek
  • Matterhorn Trek
  • Amazing hike from Kreuzboden to Saas-Almagell
  • Matterhorn Trek
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  • "The overall experience (scenery, people, guides, lodging, etc.) was truly outstanding. The thing I loved most was sharing the experience with my daughter and seeing how much see enjoyed the trip. She told me it was the best vacation she has had - even though, at 26, she has traveled pretty extensively!"- Henry J.
  • "I loved the diversity of the trails. Each day had new sights, which kept the trek interesting. I loved that our group was large and fairly well-matched in pace. Our guides were also very interesting and engaging which made even the most grueling days fun and enjoyable. I generally liked the huts we stopped at for lunch. I also enjoyed that the hike was fairly strenuous - it was a perfect level of difficulty. Guides were EXCELLENT!"- Dana R.
  • "The trail and scenery was just perfect. Each day we had perfect postcard weather too. Lakes, glaciers, roman cart paths, field full of grazing cows and wildflowers were just some of the things we passed as we walked along each day. Although it was hard to leave a wonderful hotel each morning, it was fun to go and experiece so many hotels in the area each day. All hotels were clean and food was fantastic. I loved being able to shower, sleep in a bed and have a wonderful dinner and glass of wine each night after a long day hiking."- Kathryn LeBey

Trip Highlights:

  • Top notch accommodations, maximum effort and challenging terrain.
  • Hiking beneath two famous mountains, the Matterhorn, and the Monte Rosa, the highest mountain in Switzerland.
  • Medieval hamlets with cobbled streets, authentic shops and delicious restaurants.
  • Roman footpaths, quiet valleys and a Walser history, one of Europe's wildest ethnicities, dating back one thousand years.

The highest mountains in Western Europe, the Pennine Alps, offer hikers an opportunity to explore a spectacular alpine world. This hike begins in Italy beneath the Matterhorn, one of the most iconic peaks in the world. The tour also partially circumnavigates the Monte Rosa, the highest mountain in Switzerland and the second highest peak in Western Europe. The Tour de Monte Rosa has become a much sought after achievement, and our itinerary follows much of the same route. In Macugnaga, Italy we are treated to perhaps the Alps’ most spectacular mountain view, the east face of the Monte Rosa, which is truly Himalayan in proportion rising 10,000 vertical feet above the valley floor. The hike finishes beneath the north face of the Matterhorn in legendary Zermatt, Switzerland.

Ryder-Walker offers the Matterhorn Trek from Cervinia, Italy to Zermatt, Switzerland in an eight-day trip. Along the way, we use the finest accommodations, some of which are truly exceptional. We visit five towns in Italy and two in Switzerland, beginning and finishing the tour at the base of the majestic Matterhorn on opposite sides of the Swiss/Italian border.

Hiking days are challenging, but the scenery is breathtaking, and at the end of the day a comfortable bed, hot shower, a good meal, a glass of local wine or beer and the company of other hikers awaits. If you like a trip with top-notch accommodations, maximum effort, and a healthy dose of challenging terrain, then this is the trip for you.

Trip Itinerary

Ryder-Walker will provide a taxi transfer from Chivasso Train Station to the hotel in Breuil-Cervinia where you will meet your guides and group for orientation and dinner. Check in to your welcoming hotel in this alpine resort in the Valle d’Aosta region of northwest Italy located directly under the South face of the Matterhorn.

Ascend to the Col di Nana beneath the Grand Tournalin, and descent to the idyllic hamlet of St. Jacques. Continue on to Champoluc and overnight in one of the finest hotels in the Alps.

Distance: 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 3000/3560 ft.

Climb to the herder’s settlement of Cuneaz, and ascend from there to the Pentacol and the Col Pinter. Enter the Walser stronghold of the Val di Gressoney beneath the magnificent Lyskamm, one of the most powerful peaks in the Alps. Walk past ancient Walser farms to our excellent hotel just out of town.

Distance: 9 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 4000/3750 ft.

Ascend to Lake Gabiet and on to the Col d’Olen. At the pass we enter into the magical Val Sesia and look down to Alagna nearly 6000 ft below. Descend, with help from a cable car, through meadows and ancient Walser villages and farms to a place that time forgot. Overnight in the finest hotel in Alagna.

Distance: up to 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 4000/up to 5000 ft.

Hike over the magnificent Turlo Pass, the scene of many WWI skirmishes. Follow a Roman road to the historic village of Macugnaga, nestled beneath the staggering 10,000-foot east face of the Monte Rosa. Overnight in a charming three-star hotel in the center of the village.

Distance: 12 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 4700/4880 ft.

A cable car aids our ascent to a point near the Swiss border at the Monte Moro pass. Descend through a glacier scoured field of granite, with an occasional cable for help. Pass by the lovely Monte Moro lake, continue on foot or by bus to Saas Almagell, and then to Saas Fee on foot. Tonight we are in an outstanding hotel in the center of this charming village.

Distance: 11 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 900/2180 or 3920 ft.

Depart Saas Fee on one of the great Höhenweg (high level paths) of the Alps. Travel beneath cascading glaciers and remote, uninhabited valleys as we make our way to Grächen, a sparkling village on a bench high above the Mattertal. Van transfer to Zermatt to celebrate our achievements in one of the town’s finest hotels.

Distance: 10 miles. Elevation gain/loss: 2500/2100 ft.

Your guides choose a day hike for the group today. You can also choose to spend the day sightseeing the lively town of Zermatt.

Matterhorn Trek | Italy & Switzerland

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