Day 1 – From Alagna to Val d’Otro
We’ll meet at 14:00 at the Monterosa Booking office, Via dei Walser 6, in Alagna Valsesia.
We’ll check your equipment and organise your luggage for the five-day journey. We’ll separate the items needed for the trekking stages from the technical equipment we’ll use higher up.
You’ll then set off independently towards Val d’Otro, following the mountain trail through traditional Walser villages and alpine pastures.
We’ll spend the first night at Rifugio Zar Senni, with dinner and accommodation included.
Elevation gain: approximately 500 m
Walking time: approximately 1.5–2 hours
Day 2 – From Val d’Otro to the Lys Valley
After breakfast, you’ll meet your IFMGA Mountain Guide, who will accompany you for the remaining four days.
We’ll climb through the upper Val d’Otro towards Colle Zube. As we gain altitude, the alpine meadows gradually give way to rocky mountain terrain.
From the pass, we’ll descend into the Lys Valley and continue towards Gabiet.
We’ll spend the night in a mountain hut, with dinner and breakfast included.
Elevation gain: approximately 1,200 m
Elevation loss: approximately 500 m
Walking time: to be confirmed according to the route
Day 3 – From Gabiet to Rifugio Mantova (3,498 m)
We’ll continue our ascent towards Passo dei Salati, following the mountain trails into increasingly high-alpine terrain.
At Passo dei Salati, we’ll meet a member of the Monterosa Booking team. Here, we’ll leave behind the trekking equipment we no longer need and collect our crampons, harnesses and other technical equipment.
We’ll then continue on foot towards Rifugio Mantova, at 3,498 metres.
We’ll spend the afternoon preparing for the following day’s ascent, with time to rest and adapt to the altitude.
Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.
Elevation gain: approximately 1,200 m
Walking time: approximately 4–5 hours, depending on the route
Day 4 – Ascent to Capanna Margherita (4,554 m)
We’ll leave Rifugio Mantova at dawn and begin our ascent across the glaciers of Monte Rosa.
We’ll travel roped together, following the route chosen by our IFMGA Mountain Guide according to the glacier conditions.
After three days of gradual ascent, we’ll now be moving above 3,500 metres. We’ll maintain a steady pace, paying particular attention to altitude, fatigue and how everyone is feeling.
Our objective is to reach Punta Gnifetti and Capanna Margherita, at 4,554 metres, during the morning.
Once at the hut, we’ll have the rest of the day to rest, enjoy the surrounding peaks and experience the high mountains without immediately returning to the valley.
We’ll spend the night at Capanna Margherita, the highest mountain hut in Europe.
Elevation gain: approximately 1,050 m
Ascent time: approximately 5–6 hours
Day 5 – Descent to Alagna
After breakfast, we’ll begin our descent across the glaciers of Monte Rosa.
Depending on the conditions, timing and the group’s energy levels, we may include a visit to Cristo delle Vette before continuing towards Rifugio Mantova.
From here, we’ll descend towards Punta Indren.
If you prefer not to complete the final section on foot, we’ll be able to use the Monterosa Ski lifts to return to Alagna.
Throughout the descent, our IFMGA Mountain Guide will manage the route and pace according to the mountain conditions and the needs of the group.
Elevation loss: approximately 1,280 m to Punta Indren
Descent time: approximately 4–5 hours to Punta Indren
All elevation gains, losses and walking times are indicative. They may vary according to the chosen route, mountain conditions and the group’s pace.
