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Skill: **
This program is recommended for experienced walkers and hikers with a head for heights! No previous mountaineering or Via Ferrata experience is required.
Stamina: ***
If you walk regularly and have a good level of fitness then you should have no problem undertaking the Via Ferrata week. On some days you will be walking and climbing (up and down) for up to 8-9 hours at altitude and so you will need to do some training to really enjoy the week. Aerobic fitness and leg strength are the key so when preparing for this trip nothing beats activities that increase your heart rate and build your aerobic levels e.g. running, cycling and swimming. Movement skills - agility, balance, flexibility - which allow you to walk easily over rough ground are also very relevant. If time permits try to include some yoga or pilates into your training schedule.
Switzerland has a great selection of world class via ferratas, in total about 50, with new routes being equipped every year.
Based in the Swiss Valais this course tours the most famous and spectacular routes and is an exhilarating week of alpine
adventure.
Via ferratas have become increasingly popular, and for good reason, they enable hill walkers rather than technical climbers to
experience an impressive vertical world. No climbing experience is required; however a good head for heights is essential. Our
guides provide complete safely in spectacular places.
The first via ferratas, or ‘iron ways’ were installed by the military, to assist movement of troops. These often have
particular historical interest. Since the war many more have been constructed specifically for walkers and climbers.
We base our course from a comfortable hotel in Sion, a medium size town with all amenities in the centre of the Rhone Valley.
Each day we drive up a different alpine valley and complete a classic via ferrata. This is an exciting way to explore the region
and view the famous peaks.
Itinerary
SAMPLE PROGRAMME
Day 1
The course begins in Sion on Sunday evening with a welcome meeting and course briefing. The briefing covers all essential
information for the following days.
Day 2 - Evolène
A 45 minute journey takes us to the charming town of Evolène, within the Val d ‘Herens. The via ferrata is accessed by a
15 minute walk directly from the town. This is a steep via ferrata, with the most famous section climbing an 80 m vertical
wall. From the top of the climb it is possible to see the Dent Blanche (4356m)
Altitude 1350m, Height gain 400m, Length 1000m, Grade TD, Time 3 hours (round trip)
Day 3: Weissmies
50 minutes by road takes us to the eastern end of the Swiss Valais and the mountain town of Saas Grund. A cable car is
used to take us to 2500m and a spectacular glacial environment, a further 40 minutes on foot takes us to the base of the
Jagerhorn and the start of the route. This via ferrata has a distinctive alpine ambiance and finishes on the summit of the peak
(3206) with stunning views of the Lagenhorn and the Weissmies.
Altitude 2726m, Height gain 500m, length 1200m, Grade AD, Time 5 hours (round trip)
Day 4: Tour d’Aï
An hour’s journey takes us West to the Berner Alps, and the famous mountain spa town of Leysin. A short cable car is used
to access the Tours d’Aï, an area of soaring limestone spires. An hours walk through flower filled meadows takes us to the base
of the via ferrata. The route is well equipped, steep and finishes with views of the Valais, the Oberland and Lac Leman.
Altitude 2331m, length 320m, Grade AD, Time 4 hours (round trip)
Day 5: Via Ferrata du Belvédère
A short 15 minute journey takes us to Nax, on the south side of the Rhone Valley. The Via du Belvédère climbs high above
Sion. This climb is notably exposed and steep; and is a noted nesting site for falcons. The highlights are the two airy rope
bridges.
Altitude 1220m, length 300m, Grade D, Time 2 hours (round trip)
Day 6: Zermatt
An hour by train brings us to one of the most famous mountain towns, Zermatt. The morning is spent on the long via
ferrata above the town on the south side of the valley. The afternoon is spent exploring the gorge, which aside from being
famous for its sculptured rock scenery, has 2 Tyrolienne traverses, 2 suspended bridges, and a pendulum!.
There are several points throughout the day which we get awe-inspiring views of the Matterhorn.
Via ferrata: Altitude 1600m, Length 800m Grade AD+, Time 5 hours (round trip)
Gorge: Altitude 1700m, Time 3 hours
Day 7
Departure after breakfast
Other Via Ferrate Trips and Glacier Treks
The Alps and Dolomites are criss-crossed with great trails and a network of high altitude huts.
Check out our
Bocchette Way and
Dolomites Via Ferrate week
Or check out our selection of multi-day glacier treks which include
Chamonix-Zermatt Haute Route,
Bernese Oberland Traverse, the
Eiger Trek, the
Gran Paradiso Circuit and the
Italian High Level Route
Additional Information
Dates & Duration
In addition to the advertised dates we can run this course on request throughout the summer from mid-June until late
September.
Prices
£925 per person based on party of 5
The price includes all guiding fees & expenses, half board hotel accommodation (twin-room), use of via-ferrate
equipment, daily minibus transfers
The price does not include lunches, beverages, personal insurance, travel to and from the Alps and uplift costs.
Single-room occupancy in valley hotels may incur an additional cost.
Uplift Costs
We estimate that the cost for uplift during this week will be in the region of £25- £50per person which is not included
in the price and needs to be paid for locally in Swiss Francs.
Accommodation and meals
You will spend 6 nights in a comfortable hotel in Sion.
Your guides
All our trips are led by fully qualified IFMGA mountain guides with extensive knowledge of climbing in the Alps. The
maximum guide-client ratio is 1:5.
Equipment
Please see our recommended
Via Ferrate kit list. Technical equipment for Via Ferrate will be supplied by
Mountain Tracks.
Climate
Swiss alpine valleys have very pleasant climate throughout the spring, summer and autumn with warm days and cool nights.
Daytime temperatures in the valley are usually around 20 - 28°C. At altitude the temperatures are lower and feel colder with
wind-chill.
Safety awareness & training
Adventurous activities in the mountains have their dangers. These can never be removed altogether but they can be
minimised. At Mountain Tracks our aim is to provide you with a thrilling holiday directed with maximum attention to your safety
and that of others. We don't just blindly get you to follow our experienced leaders. We give you the opportunity to learn
mountaincraft skills and understand about the hazards, how to minimise the risk, and how to cope with incidents should they
happen.
Getting There
The easiest way to get to Chamonix from the UK is to fly. The nearest airport is Geneva and the transfer time from the
airport by rail is about 90 minutes.
Easyjet tend to have the most affordable flights and a comprehensive service that serves many UK regional airports
including Bristol, Belfast, Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Luton, Gatwick, Liverpool, Nottingham/East Midlands and Sheffield.
Check www.easyjet.com for more details.
Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured for alpine mountaineering covering personal accident, rescue and third
party risks. You are strongly advised also to take out cover against cancellation and curtailment.
If you are looking to purchase insurance for your trip we recommend
SNOWCARD. They specialise in travel insurance for adventure sports particularly skiing
and snowboarding. Their rates for both single trip and annual policies are very competitive.
For details on their policies and to get a quote CLICK HERE or contact our office for further details.