Examples de Grands Tours or Treks

Cristallina (canton of Tessin), 3 to 4 days: it sounds like a fairy's name (Cristallina), but it's actually the name of a mountainous area in the southern Alps of Switzerland. An area with multiple hiking and trekking possibilities. The paths lead us to high altitudes, amongst glacier lakes and compact gneiss. Deep gorges and high plateaus dotted with colourful flora host one the most comfortable high altitude mountain hut of the Alps, with a modern (2002) architecture design renowned throughout the world. Nights in huts, medium grade, 3 hours, 3.5 hours and 6 hours of daily walking times.

Tour of Balmhorn (cantons of Valais and Bern), 5 days: a round trip from Leukerbad in Valais, which takes us across the famous Gemmi pass (a cable car can help us up the steepest part if necessary !-) and down to the Kandertseg valley on the second day. We then wind our way up around the eastern slopes of Balmhorn and up to the Lötschberg pass (2700 m). This is where some of the oldest traces of man in the Alps were found! Wheather allowing we will give a go at the Hockenhorn (3293 m) on the fourth day before heading back to Leukerbad on the fifth. A varied tour that takes place at high altitudes! A very rewarding trek. Medium to tough grade, 4 hours, 7 hours, 6h00, 4h00 and 6.5 hours daily walking times.

Combins tour (canton of Valais and Val d'Aosta-Italy), 7 days: a mythical alpine trek, from Switzerland to Italy and back over the Grd St Bernard pass. This demanding trek is suitable for anyone with a good fitmess level and eager to spend a whole week dosovering a large variety of landscapes and cultural contexts. The Tour of Combins is a trek with something of an exotic adventure too: we go from Swiss pastures up to snowy passes, from rugged alpine huts to sweet italian hostels, and from simple picnics of dark bread and dried meat sitting under rocks to the full course of a delicious italian meal with local wines. Nights in huts and small hostels. Medium to tough grade, between 6 hours and 8 hours walking times.

Tour of Ruan (cantons of Valais and France), 4 days: this is a real trip to a land of wilderness. Not for the light-hearted but still in the range of any good walker. We first seek the incredible dinosaur tracks set in rock around the Emosson lakes before heading over a large barren snowy dome to reach the Samoëns valley near Chamonix. The way back to Switzerland is over an ice-cladden pass with metal ladders, a trip full of adventure and wildlife: close encounter with wild Ibex guaranteed and some extroadinary photography opportunities! Nights in huts. Tough grade and for  experienced walkers, between 6 hours and 7 hours daily walking times.

Around the Moléson (cantons of Vaud and Fribourg), 4-6 days with an optional 1 night in tents: we start out from Montreux, the Jazz Festival touwn by the Léman lake (Lake of Geneva) an unusual starting point for this low-altitude trek around one of the most emblematic mountains of the cheese-making Swiss heartland: the Moléson (2000 m), which stands guard on the delightful village of Gruyère. 4 to 6 days of gentle but still quite demanding walking: in these regions the slopes are steep and the sun can be scorching! Come and discover the REAL Switzerland, the REAL thing. Set within the Parc Naturel Régional Gruyère-Pays-D'en-Haut. Nights in mountain farms and at summit of Moléson. Easy grade, 3 hours to 5 hours daily walking times.

Get in touch !