We began in Gspon, went through Saas-Fee, and ended in Zermatt. We covered 50 miles, and scaled 12,000 feet minimum. Along the route there are views of three famous peaks, including the Matterhorn. The terrain changes constantly, but mostly switches between rock, forests and cliffs. Man is it an experience.
We began our journey with large backpacks that carried food for 5 or 6 days, water purifying tablets, a tent, sleeping bags, and a cooking stove. And people literally laughed at us.
Apparently, "roughing it" is very much an American thing. When you go out into the wilderness in North America, you really go out into nothing. Switzerland is scattered with little villages and mountain huts that provide water, food, and shelter.
For a lofty price of course. So out of our arrogant, American pride, and our poorness, we toughed it on the food we had, and refused accommodation. Well--except when we hit the Europahütte, the hut on a cliff with no camping options for hours. We paid 30 Franc for a bed.
The route was not hard to follow. There are markers painted on rocks, and yellow directional signs that tell you how much longer until the next stopping point.
It was sort of demoralizing, honestly. It says "Grächen 4 Std.[hr.] 15 m," you hike uphill for what seems like hours, and the next sign says "Grächen 3 Std. 55 m." And you wanna knock the sign over. Still, it's a useful marker. Just be sure to print your map ahead of time. It's expensive on the trail, and you may not even find one until later on. We did not find a map until the third day. People laughed at that.
A magical thing about the Swiss Alps is the number of waterfalls. You shouldn't have a problem filling up on water. If it's clear water running over rocks and moss, it's good to drink. But of course you know that ;) It's the faucets running into a trough that I would use a filter for.
We figured that out the hard way. Don't worry, we all survived... But that water is for animals.
You can also fill up on food along the way in Saas-Fee or Grächen. These are quaint mountain villages you pass through with hotels an grocery stores.
Just know that there are no Clif Bars in Switzerland. Seriously, hiking capitol of the world doesn't have any energy bars. I don't know how they do it. We met a couple guys surviving on Nutella and rice for the weekend--no lie. We used Snicker bars as energy bars. They also don't sell fuel for camping stoves, because camping isn't a big thing in Switzerland. I guess it's just too cold and those huts are just too inviting.
But don't get the wrong idea; this was some of the most treaturous, intense hiking I've done. We crossed seven landslide areas in a day in the rain, and walked along cliffs on paths that were a foot wide.
The inclines were intense and continuous. In between Saas-Fee and Grächen, we went up and down repeatedly at sharp angles.
So if you are ever in Europe and want an adventure, go to the Swiss Alps. Know that everything, especially the train, is expensive. Groceries are reasonable. Just do it. You'll never regret it.
Access: We did a trail called On the Europe Route through Switzerland. There's a lot if info online about it, but here's some stuff they don't tell you. To start, take the bus to Stalden and get off at Stalden-Saas. From there, you take the cable car to Gspon. The cable car is right next to the stop, buy your tickets for 9.50 Franc at the booth across the tracks. From there, you can use your map and follow the sign posts. Or ask people. Then from Zermatt, you take the train back. It will be expensive, but it is the only way out except by foot.
But there are a lot of routes you can do in this area, and you can make your trip as long as you want it to be. There's a route called Tour of Monte Rosa, and you can hop on and off that wherever. From our route, we got a good view of the Dom--the highest peak in the area.
I wish you luck and good weather.
Looks amazing, I want to go!!!
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