Alpine Adventures 2013 - Week 1
Our Itinerary

Below you will find a working itinerary with brief descriptions of our planned hikes for the first week of our 2013 hiking schedule. While we have planned this itinerary with specific hikes in mind, we must be flexible and will ultimately make our hike selection as weather permits. Our goal is to have a fun, safe and unique Swiss mountain hiking experience.

Activity Level

All of our hikes are guided and are designed for people who enjoy being active and are fit. Some hiking days will offer two options from which you can choose: one moderate and one strenuous. Moderate hikes will last from 3 to 5 hours. Strenuous hikes are from 5 to 8 hours.

For you cyclists out there, the effort expended in a "moderate" hike would be roughly equivalent to riding a rolling 50 or 60 miles, while a "strenuous" hike would approximate the effort of a rolling century ride. While these comparisons are useful, hiking is done at a relatively moderate pace where stamina is more important than the power required in cycling.

Day 1: (July 21, 2013): Arrive in Zurich Airport/Travel to the Village of Evoléne We will meet you at the ticket window at the train station in the Zurich Airport where we will help validate your Swiss Pass. Then we’re on our way via two trains and a bus to the quaint mountain village of Evolène, our home away from home. It will take approximately four hours to reach our destination but what an incredibly beautiful journey it is! After checking into your hotel, the group will meet for a welcome/orientation dinner where will get to know one another, talk about the activities ahead of us and answer any questions you might have.	The View From The Bus Stop in Our Home Base of Evolène Photo by Aldo Tiboni
Day 2: Lac Bleu to Arolla Hike (Moderate) After a fun bus ride to La Gouille, we arrive at the trailhead and immediately start our hike. We ascend through forests with views that get more spectacular with each step. After hiking for a little more than an hour, we pass a small alp (an alp is actually a high altitude dairy farm), and soon arrive at Lac Bleu, a wonderful small lake that is a remarkable blue color. At the lake, we’ll have beautiful views in all directions. After enjoying a snack at the lake we will traverse to Arolla which includes some up and down hiking along tree line to a picnic table with what can only be described as jaw dropping 360 degree views. From here we descend to the tiny ski and hiking center of Arolla. In Arolla we will stop at the terrace of a hotel to have a drink while waiting for our bus, and enjoy the spectacular scenery from this magical spot. This route totals roughly 1700 feet of vertical over approximately 4.3 miles.	Lac Bleu is Definitely Blue! Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 3: Hike to the Col de la Meina (Moderate) This hike is a hidden treasure with wonderful views of what are, seemingly, our own private glaciers! We start by hiking out of Evolène to the tiny picturesque village of Lanna where we will board a chair lift for the above-tree-line alp of La Meina. From there we will continue our hike and will pass a working farm with a large herd of cattle as we make our way high into the mountains. As we climb roughly 2,100 feet to the Col de la Meina, which is at 8660 feet, we leave cow country for sheep country and stunning views of many breathtaking snow capped mountains including the Matterhorn, the Bishorn, the Weisshorn, the Zinalrothorn and of course the Dent Blanche. On the other side of the pass is the spectacular Dix dam, a part of an audacious hydroelectric project whose reservoir is said to be able to submerge the Eiffel Tower! We descend by the same path to the top of the chairlift, the ride back to Lanna and the short walk home. This truly is a great day in the high mountains. This route totals approximately 2100 feet of climbing over 6 miles.	A view from the top of the chairlift with the Dent Blanche in the backgound. Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 4: Trip to Montreux and Chillon We will take the bus and train to this beautiful, sophisticated, lakeside city and experience a well-deserved rest day. After meandering around the city or sitting quietly on the waterfront, you can shop in Montreux, take a lake steamer ride on Lake Geneva or simply stroll along the Quai des Fleurs (a walk on the shore of the lake surrounded by flowers) from Montreux to the Château de Chillon. The Château is a wonderfully restored 13th century castle on a tiny island on the shore of Lake Geneva. The self- guided tour of the castle is well worth the time. We will meet-up at the end of the day to take the train and bus back to Evolène.	The Château de Chillon on Beautiful Lake Geneva Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 5: Hike to Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges (Moderate or Strenuous with a short and long option). Day 5 offers two hiking options, one of 1540 vertical feet over 4.3 miles, and the other totaling 2700 vertical feet over 8 miles. Both options climb through forests and pastures to the lovely alp of Pra Gra. (An alp is actually a working Swiss dairy farm and Pra Gra has cows as well as ancient farm buildings.) At this point hikers wanting a moderate hike can turn around to be guided back to Arolla. Some hikers who turn back here may want to accompany their guide out onto the Tete du Tronc, a natural pulpit from which the whole of a vast glacial cirque unfolds. Those who want a longer hike will leave the pastures behind and will begin climbing on mountain trails above tree line. After crossing some exciting, exposed terrain we reach the mountaineering hut, the Cabane des Aiguilles Rouges. The hut is owned by the Club Alpin Academique de Geneve and sits at 2810 meters (9200 feet). The views are magnificent with a true high-alpine feel.	Hikers relax a bit at the Cabane before turning back to Arolla. Photo by Aldo Tiboni
Day 6: The Mont Minè Glacier to Les Haudères (Moderate) The hike to Mont Miné glacier and its descent is a moderate hike. This hike has 1390 feet of elevation gain and 2400 feet of descent over a distance of approximately 6.2 miles. We will start out by taking a couple of buses that will eventually take us to Ferpècle. This bus ride is great fun traveling through several villages and ending on a one-lane road which leads deep into a valley. Once on the trail, we will head up the valley where we will be treated to great views of 13,000 foot peaks and glaciers. Our destination after a moderate climb is the foot of the Mont Minè glacier. After marveling at the nose of a glacier and the surrounding jagged mountains, we start toward Les Hauders. On our way, we pass through tree line, forests, pastures and tiny villages as we marvel at stunning waterfalls on the steeply walled valley. This is a great way to finish our trip, with everything from high mountains to sidewalk cafes in picturesque villages.	On the way down to Les Hauderes. Photo by Dan Smyers
Day 7: (July 27, 2013): Departure Day After a final breakfast together, we'll say good-bye to Evolène. Those catching a flight will be accompanied to the Zurich airport by a guide. If you are staying for other adventures, we will help you get on your way.