Some info...
Do you fancy a summery but high alpine glacier hike? Tucked away at the far end of the Val d'Hérens in the Valais Alps near Sion, you can immerse yourself in the untouched and wild nature of the glaciated high mountains. On wide, lonely firn fields and glaciers, you will trek around the village of Arolla for four days, make a short detour into Valpelline in Italy and spend the night in uniquely located mountain huts, which are enthroned on the rocky ridges like eagle's nests. The views of the highest peaks of the Alps between Mont Blanc and the striking Matterhorn are breathtaking. Enjoy the Swiss Alps in top form!
BERIE Plus points
- Lonely Arolla in the Val d'or
- our "second home"
- Travelling in the "Little Himalayas" of Switzerland
- Views of Mont Blanc and Matterhorn
- lonely, mighty glacier streams
- with peak Pigne d'Arolla (3790 m)
- spectacularly located huts on the border to Italy
- Cabane Bertol, Vignettes, Dix
The facts
You are also welcome to name your preferred date.
Price/person: CHF 1130.-
Requirement level: Advanced
The route leads for the most part over high alpine, glaciated terrain, well over 3000 m. For this you wear crampons on your hiking boots and on some passages you use an ice axe. (on loan) On the flat glacier sections and in the pathless moraine terrain the hiking poles will help you. The Pas de Chevre is easy to walk on with iron ladders. Iron ladders also lead to the Cabane de Bertol, where you can be secured with a rope on request. The sleeping height of the cabins is around 3000 m or higher.
If you are experienced in hiking on blue and white marked hiking trails and are sure-footed in pathless terrain, this is an advantage.
Condition: good to very good for daily stages of 6 h and more
from 4 - 6 persons
Introduction to the crampon technique
exciting information about the glacier
3 x overnight stays in SAC huts Dix, Vignettes, Bertol
3 x breakfast and dinner in the SAC huts
Lunch sandwich for the day, tea to fill for the tour
The small mountain village of Arolla has become Hermann's second home. Up here you have everything if you love wild, untouched nature and high mountains, whether in summer or winter. The views of so many 4000m peaks and the huge glacier landscapes of the Alps are simply breathtaking! The French speaking Val d'Herens has an enchanting charm. Travel comfortably by bus and train, the meeting point is at the Hôtel Pigne d'Arolla, CH-1986 Arolla, Val d'Herens, Valais at 10:00 am (arrival post bus from Sion at 9:55 am, good train connections to Valais to Sion/Sierre and from there by post bus to Arolla). Or do you stay overnight the night before at the Hotel KURHAUS, beautifully situated in the forest and get used to the high altitude air!
Wonderful hikes are possible from Arolla. We would be pleased to advise you and recommend our favourite walks in the area.
End: Arolla, Hotel Pigne approx.15:00
Day 1: Meeting point and welcome in Arolla (2000 m). You will receive the glacier equipment and a short briefing at the "second breakfast". Directly from the village, the slow ascent to Pas de Chevre 2855 m (iron ladders) via Glacier de Cheilon to Cabane de Dix (2928 m) begins. T4, 1100 hm in the ascent, 180 hm in the descent, 5 - 6 h walking time.
Day 2: Impressive glacier hike with impressive views on the summit tour to Pigne d'Arolla (3787 m) At dusk you hike to the Glacier de Tsena Refie and dive into the golden light of the sunrise. A splendid play of colours in front of the mighty Montblanc de Cheilon. Over a steep step made of firn, you climb up the Col de Serpentine to the huge snow surface of the Col du Brenay (3633 m) and after a big break you continue to the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla (3787 m). A wide, open view over to Montblanc, Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Dent Blanche and Dent d'Herens. Simply unbeatable this view in the Alps! Generous snow slopes and a last steep traverse lead down to the Cabane des Vignettes (3152 m) where hut keeper Jean-Michel Bournissen will spoil you with the best Rösti of the Valais Alps. Relax in the afternoon, enjoy the cosy hut and let your gaze wander over this unique landscape. Ascent approx. 1050 hm, descent 790 hm, walking time: 6 - 7 h.
Day 3: The sunrise at the Cabane des Vignettes is again fantastic. Yesterday's track leads to the small Col and steeply down on firm firn to Col de Charmontane (3015 m) on the big Glacier du Mont Collon. The small Mont Collon rises here on the border to Italy. Over the Col des Eveques (3717 m) you change without noticing it over the Swiss-Italian border. Lunchbreak at a beautiful rock with a view into Valpelline. Passing the rock massif La Vierge and the wild northern slopes of Mont Brulé, you descend evenly down the Haute Glacier d'Arolla and climb up again on the right side of the stream to the easy hiking trails at Plan de Bertol (2664 m). Over the steep snowfields of the Glacier de Bertol you reach the iron ladders of the Cabane de Bertol (3311 m) in the afternoon. Welcome to the "Eagle's Nest"! Ascent 1180 hm, descent 1010 hm (8 - 9 h)
Day 4: After the long day yesterday, you will sleep in comfort and after breakfast you will enjoy the atmosphere and the phenomenal view from the hut. In the east, white, huge glaciers and the 4000m peaks of the Dent Blanche, the Matterhorn and the Dent d'Herens shine out. Opposite you look back on yesterday's big stage and the Pigne d'Arolla - simply magical! Secured by the rope of your mountain guide, you will climb back down the iron ladders on the Glacier de Bertol during the morning. The varied descent to Plan de Bertol and Arolla will leave no room for boredom. Green alpine meadows smell of herbs and flowers, this scent and the contrast to the white glacier surfaces is now particularly intense. In the early afternoon you reach Arolla and enjoy once again the charm of the mountain village with cool drinks on the sun terrace of the Hotel Pigne. Farewell and journey home. Descent 1350 hm, 3,5 h.
