Stage 8: Grächen – Europahütte
20.0 km
Mountain hiking trail
Mountain hiking trail
+1'414 m / -775 m
Metres in altitude
Metres in altitude
2'276 m
Highest point
Highest point
This stage at a glance
This stage at a glance
Stage 8 of the Tour Monte Rosa is considered the king stage and takes you from Grächen to the Europahütte. This demanding high-altitude hike is one of the most spectacular sections of the entire tour in terms of scenery and offers impressive views of the Valais mountain world.
What to expect on this stage:
- Start in Grächen with views of the Weisshorn range and the striking Weisshorn (4’505 m)
- Due to rockfall and scree avalanches, the original route has been adjusted
- The current route leads via Gasenried, Taflüe, Herbriggen, and Geisstritt up to Galenberg (2’580 m)
- Hike through a beautiful larch and Swiss stone pine forest
- Section after the “Grosse Grabe” with more demanding passages and, in places, fixed-rope sections
- From the Taflüe, you get an impressive view of the Breithorn and the Klein Matterhorn
- Descent to just above Herbriggen (1’305 m)
- Then a challenging ascent via Geisstritt up to Galenberg
- From there, the route follows the original line as far as the Europahütte
Practical information
Practical information
Grächen
Location: Nikolai Valley
1’619 m a.s.l.
Getting there by public transport:
Train to Visp:
- Basel – Bern – Brig – Visp
- Zürich – Brig – Visp
- Geneva – Lausanne – Sion – Visp
Public transport from Visp:
- PostBus or regional train to St. Niklaus
From St. Niklaus:
- PostBus to Grächen
Getting there by car:
- You can drive to the village (partly car-free).
Accommodation
Accommodation at the Europahütte