Monte Rosa - Tour des Six

If you wish to start the walk at a more relaxed pace, you can add an extra night before the trip begins in either Aosta or Champoluc.
This allows time to arrive comfortably, recover from travel, and enjoy the mountain setting before heading onto the trail. Both locations offer a pleasant introduction to the region, with opportunities for a short walk, a good meal, or simply some rest before the journey starts.

You arrive in the mountain village of Champoluc, in the Val d’Ayas, set at almost 1,600 metres above sea level. From the centre of the village, the walk begins gently, leading past a scenic waterfall and gradually climbing toward the Walser settlement of Mascognaz, a cluster of traditional wooden houses surrounded by open alpine meadows.

The path continues through forested sections to Crest, a small mountain hamlet where you will return later in the journey for an overnight stay. From here, the route passes beneath the cable car and, via the hamlet of Sousun, climbs steadily to Rifugio Ferraro, your destination for the night.

If you prefer a shorter first day, you can reduce the walk to around 5 km by taking the cable car from Champoluc up to Crest.

Distance: 8 km

Elevation Gain: +680/-180 m

From the hut, you descend to the village of Saint-Jacques-des-Allemands, tucked away at the far end of the Val d’Ayas. After a short stretch through the valley floor, the path climbs again on the opposite side, and signs of settlement quickly fade away.

As you gain height, the landscape becomes increasingly alpine. Your overnight stay is in a mountain hut set in a natural hollow, surrounded by high peaks at over 2,500 metres — a remote and atmospheric location where the sense of being deep in the mountains is unmistakable.

Distance: 6,5 km

Elevation Gain: +850/-360m

If you feel up to it, the day can begin with a rewarding ascent to the Col de Nannaz, where clear weather offers wide, open views across the surrounding peaks. After the pass, the route descends before tackling a steeper climb through pine forest, leading to the glacial Lac Lochien at 2,276 metres.

From the lake, the scenery opens dramatically, with magnificent views of the Monte Rosa massif and the Matterhorn (Cervino) dominating the horizon. A long descent then brings you back into the Valle d’Ayas.

From here, you can take a local bus back to Champoluc, or, if you still have energy, continue walking to the village in about 30–40 minutes. After restocking your supplies at a local supermarket, the day ends with a final climb up to Rifugio Vieux Crest. If you prefer a more relaxed finish, this last ascent can also be done by cable car.

Distance: 8,5 km. Col de Nannaz: 3 km

Elevation Gain: +170/-1100. Col de Nannaz: +240/-240 m

A serious climb awaits you this morning to the Colle di Pinter, at an altitude of almost 2,800 meters. Fortunately, you'll be rewarded with phenomenal views: on one side, the Val d'Ayas, where you've just come from, and on the other, the Val del Lys, into which you'll be descending. As you descend, the view of the Monte Rosa glacier becomes increasingly clear. The local Walser culture in this part of the Val del Lys is unique; in the Middle Ages, this Germanic nomadic people settled in the area because of the opportunities for high-altitude agriculture. The architecture and dialect still bear the Walser stamp. The Alpenzu Hut, where you'll spend the night today, is a prime example.

Distance; 9,5 km

Elevation Gain: +830/-980 m

The day begins with a gentle walk across green mountain pastures high above Gressoney, offering wide views over the valley below. The ascent is gradual at first, allowing you to settle into a steady rhythm, before becoming steeper as the path climbs out of the Val del Lys.

The highest point of the day is the Colle di Valnera, at almost 2,700 metres, a striking mountain pass surrounded by open alpine terrain. From here, the route continues through a rugged landscape scattered with crystal-clear mountain lakes, before reaching Rifugio Arp, set in a remote and impressive high-altitude setting.

Distance: 9,5 km

Elevation Gain: +910/-280 m

It’s the final day of your mountain journey. As you may expect after yesterday’s climb, today’s route is mostly downhill, with a steep descent from the high alpine terrain.

The first section stays above 2,000 metres, crossing an impressive mountain landscape before the view gradually opens back onto the Val d’Ayas. Step by step, the scenery softens, and the path leads you down into the green surroundings of Champoluc, where the walk comes to an end.

We highly recommend taking time here to relax on a terrace and enjoy a well-earned drink — a fitting way to close an unforgettable alpine adventure.

Distance: 10 km

Elevation Gain: +420/-860 m

You’ll walk between 7 and 14 km per day through varied alpine terrain, with each stage offering a rewarding sense of progression. On Days 1 and 2, the focus is on ascent rather than descent, with around 800 metres of climbing per day, allowing you to gain altitude gradually and fully immerse yourself in the mountain environment.

Day 6 is more demanding due to the long descent back to Champoluc, with over 1,100 metres of downhill, requiring steady footing and good knee strength. Throughout the route, paths are well maintained and clearly marked, though some sections are steep and rocky, typical of high-mountain trails.

There is no luggage transfer on this hike, so you’ll carry everything you need in your backpack. This self-sufficiency is part of the experience, but it does mean the walk is best suited to hikers who are comfortable carrying their own gear.
Please note that the route is not recommended for those with a fear of heights, as some sections are exposed.

For safety reasons, this tour cannot be undertaken solo. The itinerary crosses remote and rugged alpine terrain, and walking with at least one companion is essential. Shared effort and awareness make the experience safer — and often even more rewarding.

For our trips, we always choose accommodation with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be provided, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation included in the trip you are interested in.  

We place great importance on the choice of accommodations and select hotels with care and attention. We understand how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We always prefer cozy and characteristic establishments, preferably family-run, that fully embody the spirit of the place and offer hospitality with courtesy and comfort.  

Where, due to the nature of the route, accommodation options are limited, we choose the one that best aligns with our standards.