As we turn into the new year, there are a few updates to share about the Tour du Mont Blanc, Walker’s Haute Route, and Tour of Monte Rosa.
Tour du Mont Blanc
Ladders near Aiguillette d'Argentiere
Accommodation
Rifugio Bonatti are not taking bookings until February
Refuge Lac Blanc is open for the 2022 hiking season. There was some confusion as to whether it would be open due to a message on their website at the end of last year, however, a new guardian (Mathilde) has been confirmed for 2022 and booking requests are being accepted online.
Walker’s Haute Route
Accommodation
Cabane de Prafleuri can now be booked online. Using the same booking system provider as the Swiss Alpine Club huts
Hotel Grande Dixence have not yet responded to email or website booking requests yet. This is not unusual for January. There is plenty of room there, never had a fully booked situation in the last few years - even for last minute bookings. Send your booking request and follow up monthly.
Cabane de Moiry can be booked online from 30th of March (this is normal practice). They don’t normally have fully booked dates until closer to the summer so rest assured you will secure a bed if it’s the last place you have to book.
The Täschalp Restaurant & Lodge is available to stay at in 2022. It has been known as Europaweghutte in the past but since the recent renovations completed, it has been reborn as The Täschalp Restaurant & Lodge :) It now offers 9 single sleeping boxes which is the most private accommodation available along the Europaweg trail. Booking request to be sent via email.
Ruins on the route from Les Haudères to Col du Tsaté
Route update
A new section of the Europaweg trail opened during the 2021 hiking season. The path now skips Galenburg, taking a more direct route from Herbriggen to Europaweg near the Europahutte. The new route removes approximately 1 hour of hiking but also the opportunity to go via Galenburg where camping (and Valais Blackneck goat sightings!) was possible.
FYI - The bridges on Europahutte are taken down at the end of each hiking season to prevent damage over the winter and reinstalled mid-late June. If you see an update saying Europaweg is closed outside of the hiking season, it will be referring to this. This website is typically kept up-to-date
Tour of Monte Rosa
Accommodation
Gandegghütte, between Trockener Steg and Théodule glacier, is open for the 2022 hiking season. For those hiking counter-clockwise, it’s a good starting point to cross the glacier in the morning rather than coming up from Zermatt first. Send an email to request booking if their online booking system isn’t working for you.
The Täschalp Restaurant & Lodge is available for Tour of Monte Rosa hikers as well so please refer to the update above.
Tranquil stream between the Breuil-Cervinia ski area and Resy
Route Update
The Europaweg trail is part of the Tour of Monte Rosa too so please refer to the update above.
Author: Brendan Jones, The Hiking Club
A pizza-making, craft beer-loving, peanut butter connoisseur that has been exploring the great outdoors since completing the Duke of Edinburgh Award in high school. He started The Hiking Club to democratise hiking and the benefits that come from spending time in nature. You can read more about Brendan and the team here.
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