The Tour of Monte Rosa

This guide provides eight stages of route description and comprehensive planning and background details to the Tour of Monte Rosa, a challenging and very varied adventure that takes a high route around the massif, in a circuit that begins and ends in Zermatt, southern Switzerland.

Situated on the Swiss–Italian frontier, the spectacular Monte Rosa range boasts 10 summits over 4000m and is the largest massif in western Europe. Spectacular from all angles, this mountaineer's paradise of true wilderness allows walkers to experience a remoteness rarely found in the Alps.

The spectacular scenery is not all that the tour offers: the contrast between the Swiss and Italian sides of the range adds immeasurably to the whole experience and walkers are advised to take the time to explore some of the charming hamlets and villages found en route and to savour fully the different food and drink, history and culture that make up this alpine region.

Hilary Sharp ilary Sharp is a qualified Accompagnatrice en Montagne (International Mountain Leader) based permanently in the village of Vallorcine, near Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in the French Alps. A native Brit, she runs her own trekking business, leading guided walks and treks. Hilary has contributed to several British walking magazines and hiking guides. This is her fifth guidebook for Cicerone.