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3
moderate

Traveller Rating

 

Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 5 nights in alpine hotels, huts & B&Bs
Meals
  • 5 Dinners
  • 4 Lunches
  • 5 Breakfasts

6 Days£980GBP

View Inclusions

Overview

Trip Code: MR6

Trip highlights

  • Exploring the natural heritage and wild open spaces of this less travelled alpine region
  • Discovering small mountain villages with their Walser heritage, dialect and architecture
  • Popular traditions, friendly locals and great local food
  • Enjoying beautiful hikes around 2000m elevation

The Upper Lys Valley, also known as the Gressoney Valley, is a small pocket of Aosta which has for centuries been home to the Walser Germanic people. Their enduring traditions can still be found in the typical wood and stone houses. the cuisine and the unique dialect. Dominating the valley is western Europe's 2nd highest peak, Monte Rosa (4634m). This impressive valley is home to wild open spaces, beautiful forests and the snowy peaks of Monte Rosa. There are numerous traditional villages to explore, with their social wood ovens and cheese making heritage. Staying in comfortable family-run accommodation at night and hiking at elevations of around 2000m during the day, makes this a perfect alpine walking holiday.

Countries:

Italy

Starting Point:

Pont-Saint-Martin

Finishing Point:

Andermatt

Itinerary

Expand all | Collapse all

Make your own way to Pont-Saint-Martin in the Aosta Valley, where you will transfer (approx 45 minutes) to your accommodation near Gaby. (Or if La Gruba is full booked your first night will be in Fontainemore).

Meals:  D

Today the Vallone del Loo is waiting for you: a gradual and long valley walk, scattered with typical stone houses used to keep the animals but also to host the walkers that venture into this beautiful place. Peaceful and quiet you will descend for the first time into the Gressoney valley and then climb onto the other side (transfer available) to the next accommodation, with views of the giant Monte Rosa (rosa=pink, for the colour of its granite stone). The included lunch today is along the way at Agriturismo Blékléne. Walking: 14km/18.75mi ascent +1150m/37723ft, descent -1080m/3543 or with transfer: 13km/8mi, ascent 900m/2952ft), descent -1000m/3280ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Also called the Monte Rosa stage, as the mountain will guide your way, today you pass through many “alpeggi”, where cows and sheep spend the summer and meet the shepherd. The Walser culture is especially present here: a German nomadic population has lived here since medieval times thanks to their ability to farm at altitude. Here the architecture and even the dialect is a mirror of their culture, and one of the best examples is the Alpenzu Hut, where you stay tonight. Ask your host to visit the restored social wood oven. ** Note that today luggage transfer is not available for tonight and tomorrow so you will need to carry your daily requirements in your rucksack. The huts provide towels and bed sheets/sleeping sheet. Walking: 11km/6.9mi, ascent +790m/2591ft, descent -620m/951ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Today the stage is moderate, and you will reach the Orestes Hut (located at 2600m), where you stay tonight. There are 2 options. One is to take the cable car to Stafal-Gabiet and walk 1.5 hrs to Orestes hut. The other option is to walk up to the hut without taking the cable car, making it a much tougher day. Note that at the hut they only cook tasty vegetarian and vegan food. ** As previously noted, luggage transfer is not available today. Walking 6hrs: 12km/7.5mi, ascent +800m/2624ft, descent -550m/1804ft Walking 8hrs (ie without the cablecar): 15km/9.4mi, ascent +1400m/4593ft, descent -600m/1312ft

Meals:  B,L,D

Today’s walk takes you to the foot of Monte Rosa. Here the alpinists start their ascent to the famous Capanna Margherita (hut), named after the queen (and the pizza), at 4550m, or the famous Lyskamm traverse. You will walk up to Colle Salza at 2800m then descend to Staffal/Anderbatt in the Lys valley, with stunning views of the glacier. For experienced and fit walkers only there is the option to hike to the “Alta Luce” panoramic point, located at nearly 3200m. Walking: 8km/5mi, ascent +400m/1312ft, descent -1200m/3937ft Walking Alta Luce: 6hrs, 10km/6.2mi, ascent 700m/2296ft, descent 1500m/4921ft

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip concludes after breakfast in Anderbatt. Additional nights can be booked on request or you can take the bus to Pont St Martin and then the train to your onward destination.

Meals:  B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.

Inclusions

What's included

  • 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches (3 packed lunches, 1 at an agriturismo) and 5 dinners
  • 5 nights in alpine hotels, huts & B&Bs on a twin share basis with private facilities
  • Digital information pack including smartphone app with maps and route book.
  • Luggage transfer on day 2 La Gruba to Villa Fridau and day 4 Villa Fridau to Anderbatt - max 1 piece, max weight 15kg
  • Transfer Pont-Saint-Martin train station to La Gruba on day 1
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Pont-Saint-Martin and from Anderbatt
  • Beverages
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Guide - this is a self guided trip
  • Transfers
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Luggage transfers on days 3 and 4 when staying overnight at the huts - you must carry your daily needs in your rucksack
  • Sleep sheet & towel for rifugios (can hire locally)
  • Cable car ticket (allow EUR10)
  • We can transport extra luggage directly from the first to the last accommodation - supplement applies

Suitability

moderate

3

MODERATE – GRADE 3 The trip is graded moderate with daily walks of 5 to 7 hours. Bear in mind the altitude is always around 2000m and the terrain is sometimes rocky and slippery. Orestes hut is located at 2600m. As luggage transfers are not possible to the huts on days 3 and 4 you will need to carry your daily needs in your rucksack. Conditions can change rapidly in this mountain environment - you should always check with your host before setting out each day.

Departure dates

Daily from 23 Jun to 15 Sep

Notes

Note:
This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternative tour suggestions.
Note:
If you'd like to spend a little more time in the valley see our 8 day trip (code MRA)

Priceper person from

£980GBP

Options & Supplements*
  • Discount for triple share rooms (pp)GBP£-13
  • Single supplementGBP£140
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

Why travel with us

Personal Experience

We've been walking and cycling the planet for over four decades and are passionate about delivering exceptional service. Combined, we’ve travelled to virtually every corner of Europe, and are eager to share the many benefits of travelling on foot or by bike.

Great Value & Quality

Our well priced trips offer great value for money. Included in your package are comprehensive route notes, maps & guide books along with bag transfers and locally run accommodation. We take the stress out of organising your holiday.

Self-Guided Specialists

We have been operating active self guided holidays since 1973. We handle all the necessary logistics so that you can relax and explore your destination at your own pace. Many of our tours depart daily, giving you even greater flexibility.