Join me for a guided walking holiday in Arolla in 2024! Our walking base is situated in the French speaking southwest of Switzerland, south of the Rhone Valley nestled at the end of the western branch of the Val d’Hérens. It is surrounded by flower-filled alpine meadows, larch and pine woodland and above it are the mountains and glaciers that range along the border between Switzerland and Italy. Although Arolla is famous with ski mountaineers for the Patrouille des Glaciers race, and long distance hikers on the Walkers Haute Route it is much less busy than the Verbier valley to the west and the Zermatt valley to the east. A superb network of paths can be used to visit lakes, spectacular viewpoints and welcoming mountain huts starting either from the village itself or by using the local post bus service. Guide price: £1300 (Includes: return flights from London to Geneva, train and bus transfer from Geneva to Arolla, mid-priced hotel accommodation including breakfast and evening meal, guiding and organisation fees) or £1100 for dormitory accommodation option.

Is this for me?

This is a fantastic destination for a first walking trip to the Alps. Solo travellers, couples or groups of friends will love exploring quieter mountain valleys walking with a small group (maximum group size 12) and an experienced, qualified leader. Many paths here originated as shepherds paths following the least demanding route through the terrain and although some can be steep they are well maintained. If you enjoy long (15km / 10mls) hilly walks with your rucksack and packed lunch in the Cotswolds, Chiltern hills or even the Peak District, Lake District, North Wales or Scotland then this Swiss mountain walking holiday will blow your socks off! Read about the 2023 reconnaissance trip here: https://sallywoodbridge.com/2023/08/17/trip-report-val-dherens-switzerland-1-8-july-2023/

Schedule:

The first Saturday is arrival day, if timings allow we have a short local familiarisation walk before dinner. Guided walks usually run on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Wednesday is usually the ‘free’ day with no led walk so you can explore the valley as you choose, but your guide may swop this with a different day to maximise good weather guided walking. The final Saturday is departure day, most people will need to leave after breakfast.

The guided walking will consist of day walks either starting from the centre of Arolla or meeting there to catch one of the local post buses to another walking start point. Walks usually start around 9am (or possibly earlier if the weather dictates or we need to catch an early bus) and we are usually back to Arolla by 5pm. The first couple of walks are usually easier to aid acclimatisation. Possible walks include:

Lac Bleu: A circular walk from Arolla to Lac Bleu passing through alpine meadows and woodlands to a turquoise blue mountain lake. Approximately 9.5km, 490m ascent and descent.

Ferpècle: We use the post bus to travel on the narrow roads to Ferpècle then head uphill for stunning views of the glacier. The descent meanders through meadows and past traditional farm buildings to Les Haudères where we catch another bus back to Arolla. Approximately 12km, 250m ascent and 550m descent.

Pra Gra: A beautiful high pasture above Arolla at 2496m with views of the southern end of the valley and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. The ascent and descent use sections of ‘the marmots path’ giving us a good chance of seeing or hearing these alpine inhabitants. Approximately 10km, ascent and descent 550m.

Cabane de la Tza: A small friendly hut nestling beneath the mountain peaks high on the steep slopes opposite Arolla, perfect for a coffee and cake stop (or maybe lunch). Approximately 8.5km, 680m ascent and descent.

Pas de Chèvres: Starting from Arolla we walk to one of the iconic passes on the Walkers’ Haute Route with superb views of the Cheilon glacier, Cabane des Dix and surrounding mountains. If the weather allows this could be figuratively and literally (at just under 3,000m) a high point of the trip. Approximately 12km, ascent and descent 850m.

Please remember that this is a group walking holiday so we will all look after each other. The leader’s primary role is the safety of the whole group and as such plans for the day may change, sometimes at short notice, and sometimes during the walk.

Organisation and guiding fees are £250 per person per week. Included in the cost:

• 5 days small group (12 maximum) guided walking led by a qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader (IML).
• A walks talk every evening to discuss the following days walk and suggestions for the midweek ‘free’ (non guided) day.
• Co-ordination of travel and accommodation plans by a leader with extensive experience (including lots of solo travel).
• Pre-trip advice on appropriate insurance and fitness for the trip. See my advice at: https://sallywoodbridge.com/2023/04/03/hiking-on-the-hush-hush-get-ready-to-ramble/
• Equipment advice including a detailed kit list. See my advice at: https://sallywoodbridge.com/2023/02/06/gear-guff-alpine-kit-list-summer-day-walks/
• Local information in resort including public transport, local shops, café and restaurant opening times, etc.
• Insights into local culture, history, flora, fauna and geology. Read about the local area in my blog at: https://sallywoodbridge.com/2023/08/31/swiss-flower-walks-above-arolla-to-les-fontanesses-valais-switzerland/
• Safety advice on walking in the alps including issues related to altitude, alpine weather and animals that may be encountered.

Not included in cost, but advice and co-ordination will be provided for:

• Travel to and from the destination (flights, transfers etc)
• Accommodation
• Food
• Insurance
• Any transport used at the start or end of walks (e.g. public bus from Arolla to Les Haudères CHF7.60 single).
• Any chair lifts or cable cars (e.g. Lannaz – Chemeuille chairlift CHF20 return).

Accommodation options:

Hotel du Glacier, Arolla. https://hotelduglacier.ch/ Recently refurbished with accommodation ranging from dormitory spaces to suites. (Room with bath / shower, wc, balcony,  tv , half-board CHF770 per person per week 2023 (single person supplement CHF15 per day) or dormitory accommodation, half-board CHF553 per person, per week (tourist tax of CHF2.50 per person per day payable separately).

Arolla Vacances  https://www.arolla-vacances.ch/site/index.php run by Patricia Bournissen, based in the Bournissen Sports shop in Arolla provides apartment and chalet rentals. (2 person apartment with kitchen, living area, bath and shower and double bed CHF570 per week 2023 (tourist tax of CHF2.50 per person per day payable separately)).

Camping Arolla https://en.camping-arolla.ch/ has tent and camper van pitches as well as glamping options. (Small campervan with two people CHF188 per week (plus tourist and garbage tax), hot shower CHF1/3 mins).

Other accommodation in Arolla is available.

Travel to Arolla:

It is possible to travel from the UK to Arolla entirely using public transport. Many people choose to fly to Geneva (approximately £200 return from London) then take the train from Geneva Airport to Sion (CHF53 one way 2023) and from there the post bus to Arolla (CHF22 one way 2023), the Swiss section of the journey takes around 4hrs.

Food:

Most days we will need to take a packed lunch on the walk. Sandwiches, fruit etc can be bought at the village shop, a cheese and ham doorstop costs CHF5 (2023). On some walks there will be the opportunity to visit mountain huts or cafés for coffee costing approximately CHF4. When eating out in Switzerland even simple meals like pizza can be very expensive so half-board options or self-catering can be cost-effective. The village shop is well stocked and there is a supermarket in Evolène 40 minutes down the valley.

Water: Swiss tap water is safe and palatable to drink, but if required bottled water can be purchased from the village shop.

Weather:

Alpine weather can be very variable with altitude intensifying its effect on walkers. You will need to be prepared for summer walking in both 25C heat with no shade and unbroken sunshine as well as cold, heavy rain (and very occasionally light snow). There are some excellent apps and websites available e.g. MeteoSwiss

Recommended map:

Val d’Hérens 1:25000 Hiking Map edition mpa 2019 isbn: 9783905873801 (available in resort)

Booking information:

A £50 non-returnable deposit per person is required to reserve your place on the trip. The balance of the payment will be due 10 weeks before the departure date. Payment by BACS is preferred, please contact me for account details.

Group Trips

Are you a member of a walking group that would like to visit the Swiss Alps? Bespoke group trips are also available, please contact me to discuss dates, locations and prices.

If you enjoyed this please enter your email address below to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.