The Tour of Monte Rosa is a hike through high alpine terrain. The standard trail stays mostly above 2,000m / 6,650ft, with 6 mountain passes between 2,600m / 8,530ft and 3,295m / 10,810ft which tests even the fittest hiker. We recommend hiring a guide for some alpine or mountaineering sections of the trail (if selected).
Theodul Glacier
The 2km / 1.5mi glacier crossing on the Swiss side of Theodul pass is a unique feature not typically found on other multi-day hiking trails in the Alps. It is important to prepare with the appropriate equipment (and guide), consider the weather forecast, and take sufficient time to complete this section. However, as of 2023, there is now an option for hikers to skip the glacier crossing by taking the Matterhorn Alpine Crossing gondola, the highest cable car in the Alps connecting Switzerland and Italy.
Theodul glacier crossing
Ventina Glacier
Located on an alternative trail on the Italian side of the order with Switzerland. It is an unmarked glacier crossing, steep in sections and icy patches. The crossing requires a local guide, or, the appropriate equipment and experience.
Ventina glacier crossing
Breithorn Summit
The Breithorn summit (4,164m / 13,661ft) can be reached by diverting from the Tour of Monte Rosa trail at Theodulpass or Rifugio Guide del Cervino. Breithorn is considered one of the most easily climbed 4,000m peak in the Alps and can be completed in about half a day. It is therefore a great extension for hikers completing the TMR. The typical route up to the summit crosses a glacial plateau and a 35 degree snow slope which requires mountaineering skills to safely complete. For this reason we recommend booking a qualified local mountain guide to summit the peak (no maps/support will be provided by us to self guide this section).
If you wanted to summit Breithorn on the day you leave Zermatt, the guides at Zermatters typically recommend catching a series of cable cars to Klein Matterhorn (Matterhorn Glacier Paradise), which sits at 3,883 meters. From Klein Matterhorn, you have 281 meters to climb to reach the summit of Breithorn. If you book their services, you can then ask them to include in the quote dropping you off at Rifugio Teodulo, which is across the Theodul glacier - allowing you to continue your self-guided hike from there.If you wanted to summit Briethorn from Rifugio Teodulo, The guides at Guide del Cervino will walk you up and back from there. If you were to hike in the clockwise direction instead, you can have Guide del Cervino drop you on the Zermatt side of Theodul glacier after completing the summit.
Here are some guide companies who offer the above crossings/summits:
Guide Monte Rosa: Breithorn summit from 96 EUR per person (in group of 5) or 380 EUR for one person.
Zermatters: (Mountain guides from Zermatt/Switzerland) Theodul glacier crossing from 85 CHF per person (in group of 2+).
Guide del Cervino (Mountain guides from Cervinia/Italy) Breithorn and Theodul Summit - They are usually a little bit cheaper given that they run the two rifugios on the Swiss/Italian border and have guides up there that can take you.