www.casgwent.com: Walking: Valais

Itinerary

Switzerland


2003

Saturday 20th September

Flew into Geneva and picked up our hire care, driving round the shores of Lake Geneva to the start of the Rhone valley, arriving in Sion for the evening. Took a walk around the town and had a meal out.

Stayed at Sion Youth Hostel.

Sunday 21st September

From Sion drove to Arolla and did a circular day walk via hut, route taken from guide book and missed guide book time by a long way!

Second night at Sion Youth Hostel.

Monday 22nd September

Visit tourist information in Sierre and book accommodation for the evening (plus go shopping). Leave car and get cable car to start of level(ish) walk along valley side and finally down to hut.

Stayed at the Petit Mountet mountain hut.

Tuesday 23rd September

Gracier crossing: starts misty by by the time have walked up to glacier it's lifted and is easy to follow red markers across and then steep final ascent (fixed ropes) up to hut for lunch and spectacular views. Long walk back and never ending final zig-zags down to river then back up track to hut, just in time for dinner.

Second night at Petit Mountet.

Wednesday 24th September

Down Valley after heavy rain overnight, cloudy/misty the following morning as leave the hut and walk back down the valley to Zinal to find car battery flat! After a short delay drive round (via sierre again for more shopping) to Tacsh and take the train up to Zermatt. Fondue for evening meal.

Stayed at the Hotel Matterhorn hostel.

Thursday 25th September

Matterhorn - Zermatt. Dave & Rowan go skiing, we do 16km walk with nearly contiuous views of the Matterhorn, meet up again at the hostel and have rosti as meal that evening.

Second night at Hotel Matterhorn.

Friday 26th September

Barrage du Mauvoisin - Fionnay. Leave Zermatt and Tacsh with initially no idea where we're headed. Eventually arrive at Mauvoisin and take 1km walk though tunnels above dam to afternoon picnic spot. Return to car and drive back down valley to Fionnay. Eat at hotel.

Stayed at Hotel du Grand combin (dortoir).

Saturday 27th September

Circular Walk - Fionnay. Unsure of weather forecast but awake to good weather. Circular walk up to hut (beat guide book time) then after lunch further climb to col and back down and along valley. Eat out in small local resturant - excellent local stag/chamois!

Final night at Hotel du Grand combin.

Sunday 28th September

Departure. Head back to geneva with rain arriving on the way, with sort break and stroll in St. Prix(?) by lake (with divers). Use up remaining currency on chocolate and wine at the airport.