This July I led a reconnaissance trip to Arolla in the Val d’Herens for a group of seven ‘volunteers’. All the group enjoy walking in the UK uplands and between them have completed a number of our well-known long-distance trails, however none had ever hiked in the European alps in the summer. They were blown away by the stunning Val d’Herens with its flower filled meadows and big mountain views. This location will definitely become a regular trip on my annual programme (subscribe below to receive this blog and details of upcoming trips).

In only a week we thoroughly explored this quiet traditional Swiss valley in the Valais region. We savoured glistening views of the Haut Glacier d’Arolla below Mount Collon at the far southern end and the turquoise shimmer of Lac Bleu high on the western slopes. Coffee and pastries were hunted down at mountain cafés and we lunched on enormous cheese and ham doorstops from Epicerie du Rond-Point in Arolla.

Two of the group’s favourite walks were the ascent to the Pas de Chèvres at 2854m and a visit to Ferpècle in the eastern arm of the Val d’Herèns. The first took us to the western rim of the valley with spectacular views across the Cheilon glacier towards the Cabane des Dix and a chance to watch walkers on the long distance Haute Route ascend the once notorious ladders to our viewpoint at the top of the pass.

The walk from Ferpècle stunned us again with views of glaciers. The perfectly named Paradise Café provided a perfect coffee stop. We finished with a dreamy descent though wildflower stuffed meadows and past sun-darkened wooden mazots, the small traditional farmhouses, to Les Haudères village square and a bus ride back to Arolla.

Special thanks to my group of ‘volunteers’, I hope you loved your first summer alpine walking experience and we have many more together.

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