You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

Mont Rose Sauvage
Discovering a unique and wild itinerary

  1. Home
  2. Hiking in the Alps
  3. Hiking in Italy
  4. Wild Monte Rosa
Previous Next



Partage Facebook Partage Twitter Partage whatapps Partage Mail

Hiking in Italy

Wild Monte Rosa

Technical lev. : 2.5 / 5

Technical lev. : 2.5 / 5

CONFIRMED MOUNTAIN HIKER
 
This is a mountain hike for experienced hikers with good mountaineering skills. Some passages are vertiginous and you may need to use your hands to help you progress. You'll learn about the weather and have some mapping experience, and the Guide can help you pick up a map to learn how to manage a route if you wish!
Physical lev. : 3 / 5

Physical lev. : 3 / 5

EXPERIENCED SPORTSMAN
 
Effort corresponding to approximately 1000 - 1400 m of elevation gain per day. You enjoy endurance sports and do them around twice a week.
  • 5 days & 4 nights
  • Participants : from 4 to 10
  • July to September
  • All-inclusive in refuge

The Monte Rosa Massif is also famous for its superb Walser villages, the quality of its accommodation and its local gastronomy.
 
All aboard for a change of scenery in Italy.

From 790

Key points
of the trek

. Small groups, maximum 10 people;

. A change of scenery guaranteed;

. A wild itinerary away from the crowds;

. Trek to the foot of one of the largest glaciers in the Alps;

. Discover the Monte Rosa massif, one of the oldest in Europe;

. Italian-style welcome in refuges renowned for their cuisine and warm atmosphere!

Dates & Prices

Arrival

End

Price *

Status

Du 14/07/2025 au 18/07/2025

au 18/07/2025

790 €

Bookings in progress

Du 28/07/2025 au 01/08/2025

au 01/08/2025

790 €

Bookings in progress

Du 25/08/2025 au 29/08/2025

au 29/08/2025

790 €

Bookings in progress

* Price per person (without insurance)

Journey

The Tour du Mont Rose offers you the chance to explore wild paths and tracks surrounded by unique flora and fauna, in a grandiose mineral setting. Let yourself be seduced by this unique offer and come with us to discover this corner of the Alps.

Program

Program of the Wild Monte Rosa trekking

DAY 1
CHAMPOLUC - MEZZALAMA

Elevation gain/loss : + 1080 and - 1080 m
Walking time: 6 to 7 hours approx.

We meet in Champoluc at 8.30am to set off for the mountains.
We walk to the foot of the Mont Rose glaciers, where we have two choices: the Cimes Blanches valley or the Val de Véraz in the direction of the Glaciers du Verra, one of the largest glaciers in the Alps. We then return to our superb refuge overlooking Champoluc, where you'll be delighted by the Italian cuisine and the legendary Walser welcome (the Walser population extended from the Valais to Zermatt and from the Saas Valley in Switzerland to the Mont Rose region).
 

DAY 2
COMO BUSSOLA

Elevation gain/loss :+ 1000 m and - 600 m
Walking time: approximately 6 to 7 hours

From the refuge, we'll head to Alpe Masognaz: a top-class village renovated by the same family in a unique Walser style. Once we've passed this magnificent village, we'll head up a wild valley to reach the Col di Palasina, where we'll be able to summit at 3000m and enjoy the many lakes in the area. In the evening, we'll sleep in a large refuge at the foot of a beautiful gneiss cliff, where ibex are regularly posted.
 

DAY 3
COMO VITELLO

Elevation gain/loss : +800 m and - 1450 m
Walking time: approximately 8 to 9 hours

This day will take us on a high-altitude journey between peaks and ridges at an altitude of over 3,000 metres, along a superb trail with breathtaking views.
We'll be lucky enough to pass by some superb lakes, and may even consider climbing an additional summit depending on the weather and your fitness. Your guide will adapt to the group.
 

DAY 4
PUNTA TELCIO

Elevation gain/loss : +1000 m and - 800 m
Walking time: approximately 7 to 9 hours

We leave the refuge after a restful night to descend into the valley in the morning. This will give us a chance to catch our breath before starting the climb. The landscape will gradually open up to us as we gain altitude. We pass through many beautiful villages, and the Walser valley has a traditional chalet style similar to that of Zermatt in Switzerland.  
 
We'll finally arrive at the refuge to rest in this superb spot overlooking the Gressoney valley. For those who wish, we can continue the hike without the backpack to reach a summit with a magnificent view of the Mont Rose glaciers. We'll add another 200-400 m of ascent to discover a lake and this superb summit for the bravest.
 

DAY 5
COL DE BETTOLINA

Elevation gain/loss : +1100 m and - 1000 m
Walking time: approximately 7 to 8 hours

This final day of hiking offers a gradual change of scenery. We'll start the day with a descent to the gondola, which will take us to the valley floor. From here, we'll head back towards the Col de Bettolina and switch to the Champoluc valley.

This is a route that will again take us close to 3000 m altitude. We'll take one last ski lift to reach Champoluc, where we can all enjoy a drink together at the end of the trek before heading home after this great adventure!

 

Materiel

Equipment for the Tour

The bag

If possible, take a bag that is light enough to carry well, and no heavier than 1.5 kg.

  • Small body shape: 45 litres max
  • Large body shape: 50 litres max

Your rucksack should have 10 to 15 litres of space for the food you will be carrying for lunch and sometimes also for the next day, which the mountain huts or guides will give you.

Kilos to carry - it's better to wash than to carry:

  • Small body shape: 5/6 kg max, without food and water
  • Large body shape: 6/7 kg max, without food and water

Consider 2 litres of water and 500 grams of food for the day.

 

Head-to-toe equipment for the trek:

  • a cap or hat for the sun
  • a cap for the cold
  • a buff or choker, optional but very pleasant in bad weather
  • a Gore Tex jacket or equivalent for bad weather
  • a pair of gloves, waterproof if possible
  • a small down jacket or fleece to withstand sub-zero temperatures
  • two jumpers: one light and one warmer; if it's cold, we'll use all the layers
  • two or three technical T-shirts
  • 2 to 4 pairs of socks, which you can wash in the torrents near the refuges (use solid soap to wash)
  • trousers
  • tights
  • shorts
  • a bag cover for the rain
  • a waterproof bag to keep a change of clothes dry
  • a change of clothes for the refuge
  • a pair of hiking boots with Vibram soles or good quality trail shoes from 20 July, if possible try them on before the trek

 

Must-haves :

  • a light sleeping sheet for the refuge
  • 2 telescopic walking poles
  • Canteen or water bottle to provide at least 2 litres of water
  • sun cream factor 30 to 50
  • A pair of category 3 sunglasses
  • a light headlamp
  • small treats such as dried fruit and chocolate
  • cash and your identity card or valid passport

 

Toiletries :

  • a light, quick-drying towel, such as a hiking towel
  • body soap
  • Toothbrush with toothpaste or solid toothpaste
  • small shampoo (specialist shops sell small bottles that you can keep for the rest of your hiking life)
  • a pair of earplugs to help you sleep at night in the refuge

 

Medecines & others:

  • your medication
  • a light survival blanket
  • nail clippers
  • what you need to make small dressings
  • a few compresses and plasters or, better still, Strappal

Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.

A little treat: a small book or pack of cards (weighing less than 150 grams)...

 

Meal necessities:

  • a light Opinel-type knife
  • a fork and a spoon
  • a local speciality to share with the rest of the team, liquid or solid

Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaking wet hiker is a hiker without pleasure!

So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before you set off to check that without water or food your bag is 6 to 7 KG, but no more!

Level

Physical level 3/5

TRAINED SPORTSPERSON :

Effort corresponding to approximately 1000 - 1200 m of elevation gain per day.

Perfect if you like endurance sports and do them regularly, about once or twice a week!

CONFIRMED MOUNTAIN HIKER 2.5/5 :

This is a mountain hike for experienced hikers with good mountaineering skills.
Some sections are vertiginous, and you may need to use your hands to help your progress.
Learn about the weather and get some mapping experience. The Guide can help you pick up a map to learn how to manage a route if you wish!
 

Useful infos

Useful information for preparing your trek

Meeting point on the first day

Meet in Champoluc, the last inhabited hamlet at the foot of Mont Rose, at a free car park. Click on the map below to view the point on google map :

End of the trek

D5 at the end of the day between 14:00 and 16:00 in Champoluc (Aosta Valley).

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is compulsory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (approximately 10,000 Euros).

Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https: //www.assurance-multi-sports.com (non applicable for North American citizen)

How to reach Aosta Valley

  • Via Chamonix Mont Blanc – you can reach Chamonix by train from the main French airports or from Geneva airport – then you can reach Courmayeur – Aosta Valley through the Mont Blanc Tunnel (there are buses connections from Chamonix to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
  • Via Geneva or Martigny – you can easily reach Martigny by train from Geneva airport - then you reach Aosta city center via the tunnel of Grand Saint Bernard (there are buses connections from Martigny to Aosta Valley, but if you would like to be free to move it is advisable to rent a car).
  • Via Milan/Turin airport – rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the highway
  • Or via Bourg Saint Maurice (73700, France) - Col du Petit Saint Bernard - you can reach Bourg Saint Maurice by train from the main French airports. Once in Bourg Saint Maurice you will need to rent a car to reach the Aosta Valley via the Col du Petit Saint Bernard (2 hours drive). It's a slightly longer trip but you can save the toll at the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

 

Public transports Aosta Valley

 

Budget and currency

Italy is in the Eurozone, so the currency is the Euro (€).
The shelter has a credit card terminal, however, we strongly advise you to bring cash!
Be aware of the usual bank charges when purchasing goods or services with your credit card.

 

Carpooling

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to carpool to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your reservation, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of participants on your course who are interested in carpooling, enabling you to contact them directly.

 

Budget for 5 days & 4 nights in the Mont Rose mountains

THE PRICE INCLUDES

. Guidance by a qualified mountain guide from our team, plus accommodation and meal expenses.

. Half-board in dormitory

. Picnics from D2 to D5

. Transport required as part of the program of activities: cable car and ski lifts.

 

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

. Cancellation / interruption of stay / loss of luggage and emergency assistance insurance

. Picnic lunch on D1

. Drinks and personal expenses

. Tips

. Anything not indicated in the ‘Price includes’ section.

Photo gallery

Any question?

Contact us

You will also love

Embarking on a trek is a rewarding and enriching experience. The personal challenge plays a central role, particularly those of long duration or at high altitude, helping to boost self-confidence and cultivate a sense of achievement. They also offer a complete escape from everyday life, giving participants the chance to disconnect from the technology and stress of city life.
 
As well as being a physical adventure, treks also offer an opportunity to meet oneself and others; treks frequently bring together individuals with similar interests, creating a temporary community. The relative isolation and simplicity of the trekking lifestyle encourages personal reflection.

When to do Mont Rose?

The best time to undertake activities such as trekking at Mont Rose is in summer, when the weather conditions are most clement, the days are longest and the passes are most accessible.

How difficult is the wild Monte Rosa trek?

The wild Monte Rosa trek is characterised by the use of alternative routes to the classic tour of Mont Rose to get you to go where you wouldn't normally go. The associated difficulty is high, and this adventure requires good physical condition and adequate preparation. Don't hesitate to consult our blog if you have any questions about preparing for the trek.

How do you discover the Monte Rosa massif?

Mount Rose offers an accessible approach for hikers and trekkers, allowing you to admire its majestic peaks from the foot of these giants, along the trails, or from its ridges. There are plenty of options, which is why we've created this alternative trek to the classic tour of Mont Rose.

Don't worry, if you'd like to do the Monte Rosa tour, you can consult our program of treks here.

How high is Monte Rosa?

The Monte Rosa massif is a real paradise for hikers who want to discover the Alps. It stretches along the border between the Valle d'Aosta in Italy and the Valais in Switzerland. It boasts a dozen peaks in excess of 4,000 metres, including Pointe Dufour, the massif's highest point and the second-highest peak in the Alps at 4,634 metres.

Why is Monte Rosa called Monte Rosa?

Monte Rosa is located in the Pennine Alps between Switzerland and Italy. The name ‘Monte Rosa’ comes from the distinctive pinkish hue of the mountain, which is characteristic of the presence of minerals and sedimentary rocks.