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Switzerland : Valais

Walking the Valais Matterhorn Region - Premium

Trip code: W07VP 5 (2 reviews)

Self-guided walking

7 nights,
twin centre

Level: 2+ & 3

Flights
available

9.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

SUMMARY

  • Explore an abundance of exquisite trails, leading to great glaciers and 4,000m summits
  • Stay in the historical town of Brig and the quintessential mountain village of Saas-Fee
  • Journey to Zermatt, home of the legendary Matterhorn, accompanied by the emblematic Swiss ibex
  • Based on our popular 7 night, Walking the Valais Matterhorn Region

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • All breakfasts
  • Headwater navigation app
  • Saastal Card (unlimited free travel on many cable cars and mountain transport around Saas-Fee)

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Nestled in the heart of the Alps, the beautiful region of Valais ensures that all walking enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. With more than 8,000km of exceptional trails, you can expect spectacular mountain landscapes, wildflower valleys, and dramatic glaciers - there are countless options to appreciate the beauty of this pristine natural world.

We've chosen two bases for your stay, located in the historical town of Brig and the charming mountain village of Saas-Fee. From both bases, you can experience the very best of what the area has to offer including the Great Aletsch Glacier, Zermatt home of the Matterhorn, the famous thermal spa resort of Leukerbad, and exhilarating suspension bridges with views to the mighty 4,000m peaks.

At your 4* hotels, you'll enjoy traditional Swiss hospitality, comfortable rooms, and local cuisine as you relax after a day exploring the charm of Valais. For our 3* hotels, please quote W07VL.

Please note: Due to the nature of this environment, these walks aren't suitable for anyone who suffers from vertigo.

READ MORE

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

 

Day 1: Arrive in Brig

Arrive in the historical town of Brig. Known for its 17th century castle, Brig rests at the foot of the Simplon pass leading to the Italian border.

You stay at Hotel Stockalperhof 4*.

hotel details

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Hotel Stockalperhof 4*, Brig

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

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Named after Stockalperhof Castle, a proud landmark of Brig, this boutique hotel offers a modern yet historical ambience. The rooms are high-quality and contemporary, most of which feature a balcony. Their restaurant offers an Italian influence, serving seasonal, healthy cuisine.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 2: Around Aletsch Glacier (15km/9.3mi)

Begin your adventure into Valais with a walk to the Great Aletsch Glacier. Shaped by the everlasting ice, colourful alpine flora, and an idyllic glacial lake, this will be an early highlight of your trip. To start your walk, take the train to Betten Valley followed by a short cable car to Bettermerhorn. From here, you'll descend on a gentle trail as you head towards the Gletscherstube mountain hut, always with the Great Aletsch Glacier in your sights.

Please note, this route takes you through a tunnel for approx. 20 minutes; we'd recommend carrying a torch.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Stockalperhof 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Stockalperhof 4*, Brig

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe


Named after Stockalperhof Castle, a proud landmark of Brig, this boutique hotel offers a modern yet historical ambience. The rooms are high-quality and contemporary, most of which feature a balcony. Their restaurant offers an Italian influence, serving seasonal, healthy cuisine.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 3: Edelweiss Trail Zermatt (20km/12.4mi)

Leading to one of the finest vantage points in the Zermatt region, this spectacular trail reveals the beautiful, protected edelweiss flowers amongst the alpine pastures. Climb up to Trift where the pinnacle of the great Matterhorn unexpectedly emerges from behind a hilltop. Continue to one of Zermatt’s finest viewpoints at Höhbalmen where the panorama of the north face of the Matterhorn is simply breath-taking. Return to Brig on the train from Zermatt.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Stockalperhof 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Stockalperhof 4*, Brig

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Shops
Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe


Named after Stockalperhof Castle, a proud landmark of Brig, this boutique hotel offers a modern yet historical ambience. The rooms are high-quality and contemporary, most of which feature a balcony. Their restaurant offers an Italian influence, serving seasonal, healthy cuisine.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 4: Glacier Trail from Leukerbad (10km/6.2mi)

Discover the dramatic rocky alpine terrain around the Wildstrubel massif as you journey to the Lammeren mountain refuge. This route crosses Lammerenboden plateau from Gemmi Pass with its mounds of schist and calcareous rock. Upon reaching the Glacier Trail, you'll notice numerous information stations providing fascinating notes on the geology, biology, and landscape features of this unique environment. With any luck, you'll spot some of the ibex that regularly gather in the vicinity of the Lammeren mountain refuge.

Please note: This walk is optional as it falls on your transfer day where you move from Brig to Saas-Fee. You may wish to complete this walk or an alternative if you've pre-booked a luggage transfer or are utilising luggage lockers in Brig station. Otherwise, take a rest day and enjoy the scenic bus journey to Saas-Fee.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Allalin 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Allalin 4*, Saas-Fee

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

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WiFi
TV
Safe


Owned by the Zurbriggen family since 1928, Hotel Allalin is a charming mountain retreat. The rooms are comfortable with traditional alpine décor, most of which feature a balcony with excellent views. There’s a lovely terrace with sweeping mountain views in addition to a relaxing sauna onsite. The restaurant is surrounded by a 350-year-old larch wood where a unique setting and seasonal menu awaits.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 5: The Golden Madonna Pass (15km/9.3mi)

Beginning at the Mattmark dam, your path leads you up to Monto-Moro pass, marking the border with Italy. Here at the Swiss/Italian border is where the Golden Statue of Mary watches over. Bending around the lake, you'll follow this historic trail before reaching the pass with incredible views of the majestic Monte Rosa. Return to Mattmark dam and follow the path back round to the bus stop. A short bus ride will bring you back to Saas-Fee.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Allalin 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Allalin 4*, Saas-Fee

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe


Owned by the Zurbriggen family since 1928, Hotel Allalin is a charming mountain retreat. The rooms are comfortable with traditional alpine décor, most of which feature a balcony with excellent views. There’s a lovely terrace with sweeping mountain views in addition to a relaxing sauna onsite. The restaurant is surrounded by a 350-year-old larch wood where a unique setting and seasonal menu awaits.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 6: Ibex Trail & ascent to the Mallig (10km/6.2mi)

Hike from the top of the Hannig gondola to the panoramic Mallig at 2,700m with a great chance of spotting the emblematic ibex wild goats with their magnificent, curved horns. As you zig-zag up the slopes of the Mallig, you'll pass old avalanche defences and an ancient glacier moraine before being rewarded with spectacular views of the Saastal valley and the 4,000m summits that frame Saas-Fee, including the glaciated Mischabel massif with the Dom at 4,545m (the highest peak located entirely within Switzerland!).

elevation

You stay at Hotel Allalin 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Allalin 4*, Saas-Fee

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe


Owned by the Zurbriggen family since 1928, Hotel Allalin is a charming mountain retreat. The rooms are comfortable with traditional alpine décor, most of which feature a balcony with excellent views. There’s a lovely terrace with sweeping mountain views in addition to a relaxing sauna onsite. The restaurant is surrounded by a 350-year-old larch wood where a unique setting and seasonal menu awaits.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 7: Hohenweg Almagelleralp (11km/6.8mi)

This exhilarating walk offers breath-taking views along the Saastal valley towards the glaciated Mischabel massif. Follow the trail round to the Triftgratji ridge with incredible views of the Mattmark valley and beyond. You'll experience part of the alpine flower trail which showcases around 240 species of flowers before heading into the wild Almagellertal. After two suspension footbridges, your walk ends along the Almagell adventure trail and down a steep path across the rock face.

elevation

You stay at Hotel Allalin 4*.

hotel details



Hotel Allalin 4*, Saas-Fee

HOTEL WEBSITE      TRIP ADVISOR

Mastercard
Visa
AmEx
Hairdryer
WiFi
TV
Safe


Owned by the Zurbriggen family since 1928, Hotel Allalin is a charming mountain retreat. The rooms are comfortable with traditional alpine décor, most of which feature a balcony with excellent views. There’s a lovely terrace with sweeping mountain views in addition to a relaxing sauna onsite. The restaurant is surrounded by a 350-year-old larch wood where a unique setting and seasonal menu awaits.

Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.

Day 8: Langfluh/Saas-Fee and depart for home (6km/3.7mi)

If you have time before departing Saas-Fee, this short walk traverses the impressive glaciers of the Saas and Mischabel ranges with views towards the Dom. Captivated by the beauty of your surroundings, you may want to stop for a moment at Langfluh Hut; you might even spot some cheeky marmots on your path back to Saas-Fee.

Alternatively, enjoy a relaxing morning in your alpine hotel before leaving for Brig and onward home.

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE DATE

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These tour only prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £106.

We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.

TRAVEL DETAILS

If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Zurich airport.

We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.

Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.

OPTIONAL UPGRADES
  • Flights from London or any available regional airport*
  • Airport parking and airport hotels
  • Priority at Security and Fast Track
  • Airport lounge access
  • Priority boarding and extra leg-room seats
  • Business/club/first class fares
  • Add luggage transfer from Brig to Saas-Fee

Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment. *Unfortunately, due to the airline themselves we are unable to book Ryanair.

REVIEWS

Overall, we had a fantastic time. Thank you very much!

Tien Yang, 1 Sep 2023

 

We enjoyed an excellent trip which went incredibly smoothly. On Day 1 which was transfer to start the holiday all arrangements went to plan and the 1st class Train ticket was appreciated. We were lucky that there was a food festival in Brig on our arrival with a great atmosphere. On Day 2 (first walking day) we skipped the 2nd cable car so started walking earlier and effectively added 2 hours to the walking time. Day 3 we followed the itinerary and had a great day. Day 4 was an optional day, we decided to do a walk not part of the itinerary to the largest Suspension Bridge in Switzerland from Randa. We did find the cost of local transport was significant, we probably spend ~£150 each in first 3 days on trains, busses and cable cars. Day 5 was a rest day for us in terms of walking, we took the Metro Alpin option from the itinerary. Day 6 we done the walk that was Day 5 on the intinerary. Day 7 we went Off-Itinerary and done a fabulous walk from Mattmark back to Saas Fee via the Glacier Trail. Day 8 was our return trip home, it was a bit bumpy as the travel time coincided with a large music festival so the train was overcrowded and uncomfortable, the return ticket was second class, we would have valued a 1st class ticket due to the situation. The Headwater App was a great reference, during the walks the signposting in Switzerland are excellent so we did not need to continuoulsy refer to it. I would go B&B only to have flexible dinner options rather than hotel only.

Anthony Mcnulty, 13 Aug 2023

 


Self-guided walking

7 nights,
twin centre

Level: 2+ & 3

Flights
available

9.0Kg CO2e

Headwater
Navigation App

7 nights from £1419

CHOOSE A DEPARTURE

Call: 01606 720199

 

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