«You stand at the end of the world and at the same time at its origin, at its beginning and at its centre. A phenomenal silver setting, of a complete semi-circle, to the south snow-capped summits arranged in inexplicable harmony, to the west a chain of Gothic cathedral towers. At first you can only look up at them in awe, it’s breathtaking». No one describes the Saas-Fee Alpine backdrop as impressively as German author Carl Zuckmayer, who spent his last years in the glacier village. Thirteen 4000-metre peaks standing as guards of honour; can there be a more striking start to the «Swiss Tour Monte Rosa»?

This is a sensational panoramic tour, starting on the first day with the Balfrin high-level trail. It links Saas-Fee with Grächen and is a real challenge even for fit mountain hikers. The spectacular Europaweg trail then leads over the steep flanks of the Mischabel from Grächen to Zermatt. Sections secured by ropes, galleries, tunnels and bridges provide the Europaweg with the necessary spice – and that with views of mighty 4000-m mountains including the «Mountain of Mountains», the Matterhorn.

The Swiss Tour Monte Rosa is identical to the «King’s Stage» of the classical Tour Monte Rosa (TMR), an eight-day trekking tour around the Monte Rosa massif.